Three Akron residents were indicted on federal firearms charges after they were found to have nine firearms and ammunition.

Ronald Black, 43, Jeremy Willard, 36, and Lotus Evans, were each indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. 

The trio were found on June 27 to be in possession of five rifles, four handguns and ammunition. None of the defendants were permitted to possess firearms because of previous convictions: Black and Willard for domestic violence, Evans for attempted aggravated drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Daly, following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Akron Police Department.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence 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.

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.