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Press Release
A federal grand jury returned an 18-count indictment charging Tamyra Gudzinas, 74, of Hubbard, Ohio, and Elie J. Faraj, 31, of Youngstown, with various firearms violations, law enforcement officials said.
Thirteen counts of the indictment allege that on various dates beginning in August 2015 until on or about December 8, 2015, Gudzinas, aided and abetted by Faraj, made false and fictitious written statements to federally licensed firearm dealers, stating that she was purchasing the firearms for herself, when she was purchasing the firearms for another individual. The dates and locations of these purchases are as follows:
Date |
Firearm Dealer |
Firearm |
---|---|---|
8/24/15 |
Gander Mountain, Warren, OH |
Sig Sauer P238, .380 caliber pistol |
10/13/15 |
Miller Road and Gun Youngstown, OH |
Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol |
10/14/15 |
Buckeye Firearms Austintown, OH |
Glock, model 19, 9mm pistol |
10/16/15 |
Miller Road and Gun Youngstown, OH |
Glock, model 19, 9mm pistol |
10/24/15 |
Stocker’s Shop Warren, OH |
Kahr, model CT380, .380 caliber pistol, and a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber pistol |
10/25/15 |
J&D Firearms Warren, OH |
Glock, model 19, 9mm pistol, and a Taurus Millennium, 9mm pistol |
11/13/15 |
Stocker’s Shop Warren, OH |
Glock, model 17, 9mm pistol |
11/23/15 |
Miller Road and Gun Youngstown, OH |
Glock, model 27, .40 caliber pistol |
11/23/15 |
Buckeye Firearms Austintown, OH |
Glock, model 17, 9mm pistol, and a Kahr .380 caliber |
11/24/15 |
Buckeye Firearms Austintown, OH |
Smith and Wesson, model MNP15, 5.56 caliber rifle |
11/26/15 |
Tactical Firearms Youngstown, OH |
Glock, model 21, .45 caliber pistol and a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber pistol |
12/4/15 |
Tactical Firearms Youngstown, OH |
Glock, model 30, .45 caliber pistol; Smith and Wesson M360, .38 caliber rifle; Sig Sauer, model P938, 9mm pistol; and an Anderson Mfg., model AM-15, 5.56 caliber rifle |
12/8/15 |
Buckeye Firearms Austintown, OH |
Sig Sauer, model P239, .40 caliber pistol |
Four counts of the indictment allege Faraj, having been previously convicted of possession of cocaine in the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in 2012, illegally possessed the following firearms on the following dates:
Dates |
Firearms |
10/24/15 |
Kahr, model CT380, .380 caliber pistol |
11/23/15 |
Glock, model 17, 9mm pistol |
12/4/15 |
Glock, model 30, .45 caliber pistol |
12/4-12/11/15 |
Sig Sauer, model P938, 9mm pistol, and an |
12/8-12/11/15 |
Sig Sauer, model P239, .40 caliber pistol |
“We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to prosecute those people who get firearms despite prohibitions against them – and those who illegally help them get the guns,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon.
“This case demonstrates one avenue by which firearms end up in the hands of violent criminals,” said Donald J. Soranno, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. “ATF will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to close off these illegal transfers and keep firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to harm and intimidate others.”
“These suspects facilitated arming individuals that were attempting to conceal their possession and use of firearms,” said Steven D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office. “The FBI and its partners will continue efforts to stem the flow of illegal firearms to the criminal element.”
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences 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, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason M. Katz.
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.