U.S. Attorney’s Office brings federal firearms charges against 9 additional defendants in Cincinnati as part of federal, state & local violent crime reduction initiative

CINCINNATI - Federal, state and local law enforcement officials announced today nine additional cases involving violations of federal firearms laws. All nine defendants have been arrested on these charges and were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 4.

These nine defendants are in addition to three defendants-Shaquille Ferguson, Franeek Cobb and Derrick Long-who were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11 for firearms crimes related to public shootings in Cincinnati on Fountain Square in October 2025 and at Riverfront Live on March 1, 2026.

"Shortly after becoming U.S. Attorney, I stood with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Cincinnati and promised the public that we would aggressively prosecute federal firearms cases and seek harsh penalties for repeat violent offenders caught with guns," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "These nine cases, along with the prosecutions of the individuals allegedly responsible for the shootings on Fountain Square and at Riverfront Live, highlight our continuing determination to make good on that promise."

The nine additional defendants, all from Cincinnati, are as follows:

Auston Page

Auston Page was arrested as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative involving the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Cincinnati Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, and other partner agencies.

On Dec. 30, 2025, Page allegedly was a passenger in a vehicle that fled from law enforcement. As Ohio State Highway Patrol aviation followed the vehicle, Page allegedly ran and disposed of one handgun. After a Cincinnati Police officer deployed his taser, Page was taken into custody. A search of Page revealed another firearm. Page has previously been convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and aggravated robbery.

Rodrick Meatchem-White and Adrian Hardy

Eighteen-year-old Rodrick Meatchem-White and 19-year-old Adrian Hardy each allegedly possessed a Glock switch, which converts firearms into an automatic weapon or machinegun.

Polo Alexander

Alexander was previously convicted of robbery with a gun specification and allegedly was found in possession of a firearm in October 2025.

Austin Fowler

Fowler has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, drug possession, drug trafficking, and weapons under disability and allegedly was found with a firearm in November 2025.

Lamont Golightly

Golightly has previous convictions for drug trafficking and receiving stolen property and allegedly was found with a gun on Jan. 14.

Nathaniel Mack

Mack has multiple state convictions for trafficking heroin. He allegedly was found with a loaded, stolen gun in his pants during a traffic stop on Central Parkway in Cincinnati.

Reca Shelton

Shelton has multiple prior convictions for domestic violence and drug trafficking, as well as a conviction for robbery. He allegedly was found with a firearm on Jan. 13.

Naim Warren

Warren has previous convictions for felonious assault and burglary and allegedly was found with a gun in November 2025.

A complete list of the defendants is included below:

Illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Possessing an unregistered firearm or a machinegun carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

As part of law enforcement's targeted efforts to hold accountable perpetrators of gun violence, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has dedicated a state prosecutor to help bring federal cases as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cincinnati Police Interim Chief Adam Hennie; Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato, Julie D. Garcia, Matthew C. Singer, Ryan A. Keefe and Anthony Springer, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry are representing the United States in this case.

Indictments and criminal complaints merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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