COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted six individuals involved in a scheme to purchase firearms online using stolen credit card information and falsely claiming ownership on federal firearms forms. The accused allegedly conspired to commit fraud by making false statements on federal forms, resulting in a serious federal offense.
The defendants include:
| Name | Alias | Age | City of Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Davenport III | “Keefy” | 21 | Columbus |
| Ellyson Jeffries | 23 | Reynoldsburg | |
| Javohn Garcia | “JG” | 23 | Reynoldsburg |
| D’andre Beasley | 31 | Columbus | |
| Johna McCoy | 27 | Atlanta | |
| Vincent Irvin | “V” | 33 | Columbus |
The indictment, issued on Oct. 30, was unsealed on Nov. 15 following the arrests of all six defendants.
According to the 14-count indictment, the conspiracy involved using stolen credit card information to place orders for firearms through online retailers, with weapons then transferred to firearms dealers for in-person pick-up in multiple Ohio cities, including Reynoldsburg, Columbus, New Albany, Pataskala, and Pickerington, as well as in Atlanta and Smyrna, Georgia. The defendants allegedly falsely indicated on federal forms that they were buying the firearms for personal use, a violation of federal law. Investigators claim the group planned to sell many of the firearms illegally.
The indictment details that the conspiracy spanned from May to September 2022 and involved the illegal purchase of at least 50 firearms. Keith Davenport is additionally charged with aggravated identity theft.
The charges are severe, with each defendant facing up to five years in prison for conspiracy to make false statements. Making false statements during firearm purchases carries a potential 10-year sentence, and aggravated identity theft adds a mandatory two-year prison term.