A statewide crime sweep in Cincinnati and Cleveland on Wednesday turned into a busy night for law enforcement, with 10 felony arrests and eight illegally possessed firearms taken off the streets, officials said. The coordinated operations were part of Gov. Mike DeWine's Violent Crime Reduction Initiative and included everything from a late-night traffic stop in Cincinnati to a 13-year-old allegedly walking through downtown Cleveland with a gun.
According to CW Columbus, the two operations together produced 10 felony arrests and eight illegally possessed firearms. The outlet reports that additional suspects were taken into custody on charges that included drug possession and trafficking, failure to comply, receiving stolen property, and resisting arrest.
Cincinnati Traffic Stop Turns Into Foot Chase
In Cincinnati, officers pulled over a 2005 Buick LaCrosse around 11:35 p.m. for a stop-bar violation, and the driver, identified as 40-year-old Orlando McSwain, took off on foot, according to WLWT. A trooper deployed a taser, but was not able to immediately bring McSwain into custody.
Investigators say McSwain later admitted there was a firearm in the vehicle. Officers recovered the gun and booked him into the Hamilton County Justice Center on multiple weapons and obstruction-related charges. WLWT reports that McSwain faces counts of obstructing official business, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon, having weapons while under disability, and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Cleveland Agents Detain Armed Juvenile Downtown
In Cleveland, agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit made two felony arrests and seized two illegally possessed firearms, one of which they say was being carried openly by a 13-year-old walking downtown, according to Cleveland 19. The juvenile was taken into custody, and charges are pending in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.
Senior Enforcement Commander Greg Croft told Cleveland 19 that the Ohio Investigative Unit "remains committed to supporting our local partners in reducing violent crime."
State officials have described these sweeps as part of a data-driven strategy that links local police with statewide resources like the Ohio Investigative Unit and the State Highway Patrol, according to WOSU. The outlet notes that since 2025 the collaboration has led to hundreds of felony arrests and the seizure of large numbers of illegally possessed firearms, with aviation units and intelligence analysts helping zero in on repeat violent offenders. Law enforcement leaders say the goal is to head off future violence by removing both guns and high-risk individuals from neighborhoods.
Charges And What Comes Next
Authorities say arrests from Wednesday's operations span a range of felony accusations, including drug possession, drug trafficking, receiving stolen property, failure to comply, resisting arrest, obstructing official business and multiple weapons-related charges, according to CW Columbus.
The case involving the 13-year-old will move forward in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, while the adult suspects are expected to be processed through courts in Hamilton County and other local jurisdictions.
Officials say these targeted sweeps will continue as part of the state's ongoing violent-crime effort, with local prosecutors deciding which specific charges will be formally filed as investigations play out.
