5 years for buying gun used to kill cops

A Warrensville Heights man who acted as a straw buyer for a gunman whom police said killed two suburban Columbus police officers was sentenced Thursday to five years in federal prison.

Gerald Lawson III, 31, pleaded guilty in May to one count of aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Authorities said he bought a Glock handgun for Quentin Smith, despite knowing that Smith had convictions for felony burglary and domestic violence and was not legally allowed to own a gun.

Smith, 31, used the gun on Feb. 10 to kill Westerville police officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli as they responded to a domestic disturbance call, investigators said.

U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus Jr. in Columbus handed down Lawson’s sentence. Federal prosecutors had asked the judge for the five-year sentence, while Lawson’s attorney requested the judge place his client on six months’ house arrest and three years’ probation.

Lawson bought the gun in May 2017 at a Stonewall Ltd. Gun Shop and Pistol Range in Broadview Heights, authorities said. Smith, a longtime friend of Lawson’s, gave Lawson the money to buy the gun and an extra $100 for compensation.

Smith faces aggravated murder charges with the possibility of the death penalty.