Maple Heights Man with History of Violent Crimes Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

CLEVELAND – A 38-year-old, previously convicted felon, was sentenced to prison after he was found illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. Brandon Blackman, of Maple Heights, was sentenced to 137 months (11.41 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan after a federal jury convicted him in January of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition. His prior convictions include Domestic Violence in 2023, Kidnapping and Felonious Assault in 2010, Drug Trafficking in 2019, and Drug Possession in 2008. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment. According to court documents and evidence, Blackman was sought by local law enforcement after he was suspected of being involved in several criminal incidents in July 2024, including fleeing from police during an attempted traffic stop. A short time later, Blackman entered a police station lobby where he was arrested. Police later located the BMW that he was observed driving. While searching the vehicle, officers located a 9mm loaded pistol, a shoebox containing $56,000 in cash, two cellphones, and several designer apparel items. Evidence presented at trial established that Blackman had $6,165 in cash on his person at the time of arrest, and $3,000 in cash inside his apartment, along with a scale, a Pyrex container with cocaine residue, and other evidence of drug trafficking. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Fairview Park Police Department. This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen Rolph and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio.