Federal law enforcement officials have charged a Butler County man with illegally buying the gun used in the shootout that left a DEA task force officer dead. Dayton Police Detective Jorge Del Rio was shot Nov. 4, 2019 while executing a search warrant. The officer died from his injuries three days later.
Agents recovered three weapons from the Ruskin Ave. home where they were serving the search warrant. The weapons were traced back to 50-year-old Delano Wells of Trenton, officials say.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio says Delano is charged with making false statements on a federal firearms form.
Authorities allege Delano indicated he was buying the weapons for himself but sold the them instead.
Those weapons were found in the possession of 39-year-old Nathan S. Goddard, Jr. and two others charged in connection with the shooting of Del Rio.
“The message we want to make loud and clear is that if you provide firearms to drug dealers and convicted felons you will be held responsible for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers in a statement Wednesday. “There are significant sentencing enhancements for firearms provided by straw purchasers used to commit crimes and we will seek those enhancements to the fullest.”
Goddard faces a number of charges including that of intentionally killing a law enforcement officer aiding a federal criminal investigation.
Based on the charges for all three men, officials say they could face imprisonment up to life or the death penalty.
