Cincinnati man admits to serving as ‘straw purchaser’ for at least 21 firearms

CINCINNATI - A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to a crime related to the illegal straw purchases of at least 21 firearms.

Timothy Moorman, Jr., 32, pleaded guilty to making a false statement on a federal firearm form.

Moorman admitted he bought firearms at Cincinnati-area federal firearms licensees and then provided those firearms to co-conspirators the same day or within a few days.

According to court documents, the individuals to whom Moorman provided the firearms immediately trafficked them outside of Ohio. For example, at least nine firearms were recovered in connection with a crime in Canada less than two weeks after Moorman bought them. Two others were traced to crimes in Canada and Detroit within two months of purchase.

Court documents detail that in September and October 2023, Moorman purchased firearms at Bass Pro Shops, Range USA - Cincy West, Range USA - Blue Ash, Target World and North College Hill Gun Store.

Moorman falsely indicated on the required firearms forms that the firearms were for himself and no one else, when in fact he was acting as a straw purchaser.

The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.

Making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia is representing the United States in this case.

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