CLEVELAND — U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced on Wednesday the launch of "Operation Red Zone."
It will take place in Toledo, Youngstown and Canton over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
"It's no secret that violent crime is up," Herdman said. ATF, U.S. Marshals, FBI, DEA agents will be out in force this weekend.
"What this means is that if you are prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law, either because you have a prior felony conviction, a prior misdemeanor conviction, or some other disqualifying condition, then you are in the Red-Zone. If you possess a firearm this weekend while in the Red-Zone, we are going to stop you and prosecute you in federal court.”
“Be aware, if you choose to use firearms to commit crimes, ATF and our law enforcement partners will be there, working to hold you accountable for those acts,” said Roland Herndon, ATF Special Agent in Charge.
Herdman said for those arrested for the crime this weekend, they will pursue federal charges, where applicable, against individuals who are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms, or who otherwise use firearms in a violent crime or drug trafficking offense.
If prosecuted and convicted in federal court, penalties are much stiffer and typically sentences are served in federal prisons outside of Ohio, Herdman explained.
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