Cincinnati man allegedly involved in downtown brawl charged with federal gun crime

CINCINNATI - A Cincinnati man charged locally as part of the July 26 brawl in downtown Cincinnati now also faces a federal firearms charge.

A federal grand jury today indicted Montanez Merriweather, 34, with illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

According to the indictment, on July 2, Merriweather illegally possessed a 9mm pistol. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

"There is no place for violence in our communities," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "Those who commit violent acts can expect to be scrutinized and they will be held accountable for violations of federal criminal law."

Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas A. Greco of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) stated: "Violence, in any form and under any circumstance, has no place in a civilized society. When warranted, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in close coordination with our law enforcement partners, will employ the full extent of our legal authority and resources to identify, apprehend, and remove violent offenders from our communities."

Merriweather, who has been identified as a participant in the July 26 brawl in downtown Cincinnati, is currently in state custody on local charges that include assault, felonious assault and aggravated riot.

Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Thomas A. Greco, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and Cincinnati Police Chief Theresa A. Theetge announced the new charge. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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