Operation Double Eagle nets dozens of arrests, 52 firearms in Akron

AKRON, Ohio — A coordinated crackdown on violent crime led to 37 federal charges, 12 state charges and the removal of 52 firearms from city streets, according to Akron authorities.

Operation Double Eagle was a two-month joint operation that included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Akron Police Department, partnering alongside the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies in Northeast Ohio.

38 pistols, eight rifles, one shotgun, three suppressors, a machine gun and even a 3D-printed gun were seized the morning of September 18 according to figures from the Akron City Police Department. Police described some of the weapons recovered as especially dangerous — including rifles with high-capacity drum magazines, a gun converted to fully automatic and others linked to past crimes.

Deputy Chief David Laughlin, who oversees the department’s Anti-Violence Bureau, called the operation a unique shift in their approach.

“This is the first time we’ve actually gone after the people selling the guns and getting them before they can victimize people,” Laughlin said.

Lt. Michael Murphy Jr., a public information officer for the department, said the goal of the operation was to reduce the flow of illegal weapons coming in and out of Akron.

“Essentially what we were looking to accomplish was to reduce the number of guns that were being distributed in our community … and really try to put a dent on some of the crime happening in our city,” Murphy said.

Summit County Prosecutors said charges against the 39 defendants include drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms and straw purchases in which a buyer legally obtains a firearm on behalf of someone prohibited from owning one.

Investigators said they focused on crime “hot spots” across Akron. Many of those who were charged were already known to police; however, some were not previously on law enforcement’s radar, according to Laughlin.

Officials said  that by clearing those firearms off the streets, the operation may have prevented dozens of shootings.

“Taking about 50 guns off the street may have prevented 100, 150, maybe even 200 shootings,” Laughlin said. “Oftentimes when people wonder how a teenager gets his hands on a gun.  It’s’s through networks like this,” Murphy explained. 

Murphy added that efforts like this one are a strong deterrent to criminals.

“People that commit these types of crimes in Akron will be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” he said. “We’re hopeful this sends a message… This is something we’re not going to tolerate in the city of Akron.”

Murphy said that Akron police have never done something this proactive before, instead, mainly focusing on traffic stops or reactive seizures. Laughlin said the operation has already changed the department’s thinking. 

Laughlin would not confirm details of any specific future operations in the works, but Murphy said the department is committed to continuing similar partnerships to reduce gun violence.

“This operation highlights the importance of our federal partnerships and the ability to take these cases federally, where it’s likely to come with more of a significant sentence,” Murphy said.