Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Two people from Toledo were indicted in federal court on firearms crimes.

Xavier Zjordonel Tate, 35, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Tate allegedly possessed an American Pride AR-15 and 30 rounds of ammunition on September 2, despite a previous conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the indictment.

Ivory Deshaun Carter, Jr., 20, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Carter allegedly possessed a Romarm/Cugir 7.62x33mm on March 23, despite a previous conviction for carrying concealed weapons, according to the indictment.

The cases are unrelated. They are being prosecuted as part of This case is being prosecuted as part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a gun violence reduction program administered by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio. The program targets armed criminals for federal prosecution. 

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.  

The Toledo Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Simko is handling the cases.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The burden of proof is always on the government to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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