COLUMBUS – Federal and local authorities have charged three Columbus men with illegally possessing firearms after being convicted of domestic violence-related crimes as part of a crackdown on offenders who possess guns despite domestic violence convictions.
A federal grand jury on Tuesday charged Eldon Draper, 45; Stephon Moore, 30, and Brandon Zachariah, 26, with possessing firearms or ammunition after being convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and felonies.
Individuals who have been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes or have an active domestic violence protection order are prohibited from possessing a firearm. Last year, the City of Columbus adopted several ordinances to prohibit convicted domestic abusers from possessing firearms.
Moore is charged with possessing a 9mm firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition on May 13 after being previously convicted in Franklin County on a misdemeanor charge domestic violence as well as felonious assault and attempted robbery.
Police reports detail that Moore had previously fired at the gas tank of his partner’s car and threatened others with a gun, stating, “I’m not playing around. I will be back and I’m always strapped,” according to Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. His indictment was brought about as a result of leads generated from the federsal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, a national database of ballistic evidence capable of linking firearms from multiple crime scenes, U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman said.
Zachariah’s indictment claims that on March 20, he possessed a pistol and 22 rounds of ammunition after being previously convicted of felonious assault in Franklin County in a case in which he strangled his victim to the point that she vomited and feared he was going to kill her, Klein said. Columbus Police reports also indicate multiple domestic violence incidents involving Zachariah in the past five years.
Draper allegedly possessed a Smith & Wesson .38 special firearm and five rounds of ammunition on April 13. He was previously convicted in Franklin County on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and felonious assault, aggravated assault, four offenses of aggravated arson, receiving stolen property, theft and other charges.
The indictments stemmed from an initiative that is part of the U.S. Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which is aimed of improving collaboration among law enforcement agencies and domestic violence victim services providers to prosecute domestic violence abusers who possess guns, Glassman said.
The indictments came about through the efforts of Columbus police, Klein’s office and ATF with the cooperation of Lutheran Social Services CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, the Center for Family Safety and Healing at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Capital University’s Family Law Clinic, Glassman said.