Operation Red-Zone results in four Youngstown arrests, four firearms seized
YOUNGSTOWN — Operation Red-Zone resulted in four arrests and four seized firearms in Youngstown during Labor Day weekend.
Through the joint operation between local and federal authorities, firearm disability violators could face stiffer federal charges.
Youngstown Police Department Chief Robin Lees said there were three instances of firearms being seized by patrol officers and one more from the Violent Crimes Task Force.
During the operation — which also took place in Toledo and Canton — those caught carrying firearms while having prior felony, misdemeanor or other convictions that disqualify them from possessing firearms were expected to face federal gun charges, which could carry 10-year sentences in the federal prison in Victorville, Calif.
On Sept. 4, officers spotted a vehicle on Redondo Road that matched a vehicle used in a previous felonious assault involving a firearm. Walter Williams, 26, of Redondo Road, was arrested on a warrant for felonious assault and improperly handling a firearm. Andrew Williams, 23, also of Redondo Road, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for improperly handling a firearm.
Two firearms, one full box of ammunition and one empty ammunition box were also found in the car.
On Sept, 6., officers responded to a report of a couple arguing and a 911 hang up at a house on Oregon Avenue. While on the scene, an officer noticed a firearm on the passenger seat of a vehicle owned by Briana Revis, 23, of Oregon Avenue.
Revis was arrested for improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle, a first-degree misdemeanor. Officers confiscated a 9 mm pistol along with a magazine and seven live rounds also found in the vehicle. Revis was released with a court date.
Lees said the Violent Crimes Task Force also arrested a man as a part of an investigation. After receiving a search warrant, the task force searched his house and found three-quarters of a kilo of methamphetamine and an assault rifle. That incident report was not immediately available.
Lees said the U.S. Attorney will evaluate each case from Labor Day weekend individually to determine whether the office will pursue federal charges.
The operation did not take up additional resources in the city. YPD officials and federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Marshals worked together to complete the operation.
Lees said could not say how many stops were made overall during the operation.
"The fact that four guns were taken off the street and four arrests were made, I would say we would consider [the operation] successful," Lees said.
In Toledo, seven individuals were arrested for firearm violations, three were referred for federal prosecution and six firearms were seized.
The results of the operation in Canton were not available.
This story was originally published September 12, 2020 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Operation Red-Zone results in four Youngstown arrests, four firearms seized."