A friend of Connor Betts, the gunman in the August 4 mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, has been arrested and charged in federal court, CNN reports.
According to an affidavit cited by CNN, Ethan, 24, bought body armor, a 100 round double drum magazine and an AR 15 upper receiver that were later used by Betts in the attack. Agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went to Ethan’s home hours after the shooting. The affidavit says he told them he had bought the items for Betts, and agents also found a Draco pistol there.
The affidavit also says Ethan told agents he used marijuana regularly and had used other drugs with Betts in 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors say he checked “no” when asked about drug use on the form to register the pistol in May, which is the basis for the false statement charge. He was arrested Friday, August 9, and made his first court appearance that day.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman said Ethan did not knowingly help Betts plan the shooting, but that the items he bought were used in the attack.
Ethan’s attorney, Nick Gounaris, told CNN that his client does not deny the friendship and was “as shocked and surprised as everyone else” by the shooting. He also said they appreciate the U.S. Attorney stating there was no indication Ethan knew he was helping Betts carry out an attack.
Ethan is being held at the Montgomery County Jail. The charges are possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of controlled substances and making false statements on federal firearms paperwork. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. A detention hearing was set for Wednesday, August 14. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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