Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Youngstown Man Indicted on Firearms Charge
A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Van S. Lightning, 26, of Youngstown, with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, said Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 28, 2016, Lightning possessed a Springfield, model XD-40, .40 caliber pistol, and ammunition, after having been previously convicted of RICO violation in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, in 2012.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of 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 violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Youngstown Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.