“I apologize for my behavior, and I did learn my lesson,” Taylor told U.S. District Judge Thomas Rose.
Taylor and his co-defendants sold some of the 30 Sig Sauer guns to “drug dealers,” according to court documents.
The judge told Taylor that for someone with a non-violent, minimal criminal history: “This is a big departure and a big departure the wrong way. (Prison) is going to be kind of a shock to your system.”
Police used a paper cup from a Dayton Mall cookie store, surveillance and a car’s license plate to find a residence, then used garbage from that home before getting a warrant leading to a raid in the case, according to court documents.
Co-defendant Domenicque Allen, 18, was sentenced to 2.5 years last month for his role in firearms thefts at the Vandalia dealer as well as at the Miami Armory in Miami Twp. and Palmer Firearms in Beavercreek. Taylor was 19 when he was arrested. The third suspect is a juvenile.
Defense attorney Ralph Wilcoxson said after the sentencing that Taylor went from zero “to 100, real quick.”
“You make sure to surround yourself with people who are concerned with who you are and not about whatever the street is saying to do,” Wilcoxson said his advice would be to individuals contemplating more violent crimes. “Folks who are genuinely concerned about who you are and the path that you’re walking.”
Rose allowed Taylor to leave the courthouse on the promise that he will voluntarily surrender to U.S. Marshals when asked within 30 days.
Assistant U.S. attorney Andrew Hunt declined to comment. But in a sentencing memorandum, he wrote: "(Taylor) and his accomplices magnified the offense by distributing the stolen firearms into the community, where they will likely be used in furtherance of criminal activity."
A criminal complaint indicated that investigators noticed Taylor throw away a cup at the Miami Armory that said “Great American Cookies” on it from the Dayton Mall.
While seeking surveillance footage, police saw Taylor and others at the Dayton Mall and saw the car they they got in when they left.
Police checked the registration to a person who lived at 2928 Marsha Lane. While searching discarded trash from that location, police found five Sig Sauer tags matching those from the Vandalia store.
Police obtained a search warrant, raided the residence and ultimately apprehended Taylor. After prison, Taylor must serve three years’ supervised release, can’t own firearms and can’t have contact with his co-defendants.
“He’s done everything the court’s asked,” Wilcoxson said. “He made a bad decision, and now he’s on the right path.”
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