Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Two Men Charged with Theft of More Than 70 Firearms from Gun Stores
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged Ronquieze Head, 35, and Seronte Newby, 29, both of Cincinnati, with crimes related to theft from gun stores in Ohio and Kentucky in an indictment returned in Cincinnati.
Specifically, the defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft and two counts of theft from a federal firearms licensee. Head is also charged with one count of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Trevor Velinor, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the charges.
The indictment alleges that Head and Newby stole approximately 20 firearms from a gun store in Sharonville, Ohio on July 2. On July 8, it is further alleged that the defendants stole approximately 22 firearms from a gun store in Florence, Ky. Finally, according to the indictment, the pair stole approximately 32 weapons from a third gun store in Springboro, Ohio on July 16.
Conspiracy to commit theft, theft from a federal firearms licensee, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm are each crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by ATF and Sharonville, Florence, Springboro and Cincinnati police departments, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone having information about these burglaries or the stolen firearms should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). Individuals may also email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to ATF using the ReportIt® app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
###