Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas sentenced Steve T. McMillen on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to 2.5 years in prison on his conviction on the charge of having weapons under disability, a felony of the third degree.
The court also ordered all the firearms be forfeited.
McMillen’s disability arose from a Feb. 13, 2002, felony conviction on the charge of possession of drugs.
Judge Braig found the weapons offense was committed for hire or as part of organized crime. McMillen, 42, pled guilty to and was convicted of having 11 firearms in his possession while under disability.
According to a presentence investigation report, McMillen had the firearms laid out on a bed and when law enforcement knocked on his door, he thought they were a buyer. He was then placed under arrest.
McMillen, who had a “high” history of criminal convictions, sold firearms to other felons. He also smelled of alcohol when he appeared for his presentence investigation interview according to the report.
Logan County Prosector Eric Stewart and defense counsel Wesley Davis jointly recommended that the court refrain from imposing a prison sentence and instead place McMillen on probation. Judge Braig rejected the recommendation.
“This is not a case of a convicted felon having a single firearm for personal protection,” Judge Braig said. “This is a case of convicted felon trading in firearms and selling firearms to other convicted felons. This is more serious than the normal having weapons under disability case.”
Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen represented the State of Ohio at the sentencing hearing and informed Judge Braig of Prosecutor Stewart’s recommendation.
