Sixteen men charged federally as part of Cincinnati gun violence initiative

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has charged 15 Cincinnati men and one Chicago man with crimes related to Cincinnati gun violence in separate indictments unsealed here today. Six defendants were arrested late last week, and 10 were already in state custody.

U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers, ATF Special Agent in Charge Roland Herndon, Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac and Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil announced the cases as part of a 2020 Summer Gun Violence Initiative.

The aim of the initiative is to identify repeat and dangerous offenders for federal prosecution.

The cases include multiple incidents of shots fired, defendants who allegedly threatened children with firearms at a school and an apartment complex, and a handful of individuals fighting in the street with weapons.

Each defendant is a convicted felon charged with illegally possessing a firearm, which is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Those charged include:

Ambrose, Boyd, Goldsmith, Johnson, McIntosh and Sims were arrested on Friday.

The Cincinnati Police Gang Squad has been investigating Daniel Ambrose for his alleged responsibility in several shooting incidents in the Avondale neighborhood this August. Ambrose was arrested early Friday morning by ATF SWAT.

In February 2020, Ricardo Boyd was arrested on local domestic violence charges after assaulting a woman and a child. It is alleged that Boyd illegally possessed a firearm in his pants pocket at the time of the assault.

It is alleged that in September 2020, Recardo Sims and multiple other individuals were fighting on Bowling Green Court in Cincinnati. 911 calls indicate that at least four firearms were seen.

In the case pending against Andreqio Stevens, at least six people called 911 on May 12, 2020, to report that Stevens was allegedly standing in the parking lot of Eatondale Apartment Complex waving a gun and threatening to “kill everybody.” In some 911 calls, you can hear individuals screaming and warning others to “get in the house.” Callers describe being terrified, running away from Stevens and having children with them.

In January 2020, Daryl Johnson reportedly waved a gun at students at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in downtown Cincinnati.

U.S. Attorney DeVillers said federal investigations into Cincinnati gun violence will continue, and he anticipates more charges to come.

Criminal Chief Karl P. Kadon, OCDETF Deputy Criminal Chief Christy L. Muncy, Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato, Kenneth L. Parker, Timothy D. Oakley, Jennifer Weinhold, Anthony Springer, and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi, Zach Kessler and Jackie Stachowiak are representing the United States in these cases.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #