DAYTON, Ohio – Two men charged with illegally possessing firearms as previously convicted felons pleaded guilty in federal court here.
Kaylon Bradley, 34, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Bradley was arrested in late March during operations conducted by the Ohio Investigative Unit, Dayton Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative between the City of Dayton and the State of Ohio. On March 27, investigators observed Bradley at Salem Beverage and Market on Salem Avenue in Dayton. A pistol grip and magazine baseplate were visible in Bradley’s pants pocket as he entered the liquor store. The store had “no firearms” signage, which made it a crime under state law for Bradley to enter the business with a weapon. Officers stopped Bradley and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol. Bradley has prior felony convictions of burglary, possession of heroin, weapons under disability and failure to comply causing serious physical harm. He was also on federal supervised release at the time of his most recent crime after being convicted as a co-defendant in a 2025 narcotics case. Yesterday, Jason Smith, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. According to his court documents, Dayton police officers encountered Smith on April 15 and, when asked if he had a firearm on him, the defendant fled on foot. Smith was apprehended and officers discovered a loaded 9mm pistol. Smith has prior felony convictions of robbery, felonious assault with a deadly weapon and trafficking in drugs.
Possessing a firearm or ammunition as a previously convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Dayton Police Chief Eric Henderson and officials with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Investigative Unit announced the guilty pleas. Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi and Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth L. McCormick and Erica D. Lunderman are representing the United States in these cases.# # #