YOUNGSTOWN — Federal officials announced Thursday that they will make arrests and prosecute gun offenses that occur this Labor Day weekend in Youngstown through “Operation Red Zone.”

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio, Mayor Jamael Tito Brown and police Chief Robin Lees made the announcement at Youngstown City Hall. One message is that federal agents with several agencies will be out in full force over the holiday weekend.

“What this means is that if you are prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law … then you are in the Red Zone,” Herdman said. “If you possess a firearm this weekend while in the Red Zone, we are going to stop you and prosecute you in federal court.”

“These types of partnerships are beneficial to the city of Youngstown and its residents,” Lees said. “The city’s 19 homicides this year are just one shy from last year’s total. This is just one of many reasons why we need to target repeat gun offenders, put them behind bars, and make sure they stay there.”

“Red Zone” means one thing to football fans, but it also has a meaning in military terminology — a “dangerous area,” especially “unsecured areas outside the official military posts” — according to www.

history.net.

Some people are prohibited from possessing a firearm because they have a prior felony conviction, among other reasons, Herdman said.

Among the federal agencies participating are the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service.

“ATF is here with our law enforcement partners to encourage everyone to take a step back from the violence and enjoy a peaceful Labor Day weekend,” said Roland Herndon, ATF’s special agent in charge for the Columbus field division.

“But be aware, if you choose to use firearms to commit crimes, ATF and our law enforcement partners will be there, working to hold you accountable for those acts.”

Herdman said federal prosecutors will pursue federal charges, where applicable, against individuals who are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms, or who otherwise use firearms in a violent crime or drug trafficking offense.

“The people of the city of Youngstown deserve peace and days and nights free from anxiety and fears caused by violent criminals,” Herdman said. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that people who are causing this violence are put in federal prison.”

Lees said having federal law enforcement officers involved means criminal penalties are likely to be higher for those caught with weapons who are not allowed legally to possess them.

“Unfortunately the state statute is not providing the same level of penalties,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for offenders (under the state law) to get probation.”

A similar offense in federal court can result in a 10-year sentence.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office is willing to adopt cases for us that we have these individuals out there shooting guns who are prohibited from even having a gun,” Lees said. “We welcome that assistance.”

Lees said he thinks the extra push this weekend is being done because gun crimes seem to “pick up” on holiday weekends.

Also attending the news conference were the Mahoning County prosecutor’s office, sheriff’s office and Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Herdman is announcing the initiative in all of the major cities in northern Ohio.

news@tribtoday.com