(Cleveland) - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio filed 176 illegal firearms indictments in 2012 as part of Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

“This office places a high priority on keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are forbidden by law from obtaining them,” U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach said. “Whether it is a person using a gun to commit a violent crime, a felon illegally obtaining a firearm or a straw purchaser trying to circumvent the law, we will aggressively pursue those who would violate our nation’s firearms laws.”

“Ensuring public safety and pursuing individuals who illegally use and possess firearms in furtherance of their activities is a top priority of the ATF,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker, Columbus Field Division. “We will continue to perfect criminal cases against these types of individuals and hold them accountable for their actions.”

Broken down by geography in the district, the most indictments filed came out of the Cleveland office, with 86. That was followed by the Toledo office (31), Akron office (30) and Youngstown office (29).

There were 146 defendants sentenced last year for firearms crimes and the average sentence was more than six years in prison.

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