Affidavit for Search Warrant 

I. 

INTRODUCTION 

I, John D. Remick-Cook, am a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and have been so employed since March of 2015. As a 

part of my training with the ATF, I graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement 

Training Center, Criminal Investigator School, located in Glynco, Georgia. I also 

graduated from the ATF Special Agent Basic Training Academy, located in Glynco, 

Georgia, in February of 2016. In my career with ATF, I have been assigned to and 

worked with the Cleveland Police Department's Gang Impact Unit and am currently 

assigned to an Organized Crime Task Force which investigates criminal organizations in 

the Southern Judicial District of Ohio. Prior to my employment with ATF, I was a 

member of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. where I served as a 

member of the Third District Crime Suppression Team, Narcotics and Special 

Investigations Division's Gun Recovery Unit and as an Investigator with the Criminal 

Investigations Division. I was employed in that capacity from December of 2008 to 

March of 2015. I have received additional training in several areas of law enforcement, 

including but not limited to Gang investigations, Narcotics interdiction and investigation 

and firearms interdiction and investigation. I am also a graduate of the University of New 

Hampshire where I received two Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Justice Studies in 

2008. 

Based upon my training, experience, investigative efforts, and information and insight given 

to me by other Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 

Explosives, and officers of the Cincinnati Ohio Division of Police I submit there is probable 

cause to believe that Arian BEST is involved in assisting a convicted felon with obtaining 

firearms, firearms parts and ammunition. I believe there exists sufficient probable cause that 

contained within the below listed property evidence of those activities exist. 

II. 

PURPOSE OF AFFIDAVIT 

This affidavit is submitted for the limited purpose of establishing probable cause in 

support of an application of a warrant to search the property located at 6946 Pin Oak Dr. 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45239 and therefore contains only a summary of the relevant facts. I 

have not included each and every fact that I, or others, have learned during the course of 

this investigation. The information set forth in this affidavit is based on my own 

participation in the investigation, information I have received from other law enforcement 

officials and from my and other agent's analysis of documents and records relating to this 

investigation. As one of the case agents on this investigation, I am familiar with the 

investigative efforts of other agents/Cincinnati Police Officers who have worked on this 

investigation. Further, I am familiar with the evidence gathered through the issuance of 

state search warrants and subpoenas. I believe there exists sufficient probable cause that 

evidence of the violations: 

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18 U.S.C. § 922(0) (Unlawful possession of a machinegun.) 

a. The residence located at 6946 Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45239 

hereinafter described as: 

A single family home located on the east side of Pin Oak Drive. The home is 

constructed of light brown brick and has an attached garage with a white 

garage door. The front door of the home is white in color and appears to be 

constructed of wood. The numbers "6946" are clearly displayed on the front 

of the home directly next to the front door. 

To include any garages, storage lockers, cabinets, sheds, closets or out 

buildings assigned to this residence. 

III. 

ITEMS TO BE SEIZED 

A list of the specific items to be seized from 6946 Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45239 

is attached hereto as Attachment A, and Attachment A is incorporated herein by 

reference. Based on my training and experience, as detailed above, I believe that there is 

probable cause to believe that the items listed in Attachment A will be found 6946 Pin 

Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45239 as more fully described in Attachments A. 

IV. 

INVESTIGATIVE BACKGROUND 

In September of 2017, ATF initiated an investigation into the criminal possession and 

possible manufacture of a machinegun by a convicted felon. This was in response to the 

recovery of a suspected machinegun from David DAWKINS, a convicted felon, by an 

officer with the Cincinnati Police Department. The investigation has led to the 

identification of Arian BEST; who was instrumental in, among other things, obtaining 

specific parts used to convert a semi-automatic handgun to a machinegun. This includes a 

Glock auto sear, which was shipped to BEST who then provided it to DAWKINS. 

v. 

PROBABLE CAUSE 

1. On September 28, 2017, Officer Chris Clarkson of the Cincinnati Police 

Department (CPD) conducted a traffic stop in front of 1524 Queen City Ave. in 

Cincinnati Ohio. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as David DA WK.INS 

(Male, black, 7 /26/1990). A criminal records check revealed that DAWKINS had 

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previously been convicted of a felony offense, specifically, DAWKINS was 

convicted of Aggravated Robbery in the Hamilton County Court of Common 

Pleas, Hamilton County Ohio in case number B0609103. 

2. DAWKINS was arrested after being found to be in possession of a firearm and 

ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(l). The recovered firearm was 

identified as a Glock, Model 23, .40 caliber handgun, bearing serial number 

BLH968US. The firearm was loaded with 12 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. 

Officers also found an additional magazine, which fits the recovered firearm, 

concealed beneath the front passenger seat of the vehicle. This magazine was 

loaded with 31 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. 

3. When the officers recovered the firearm, they noticed that there was a selector 

switch on the back of the slide of the firearm. The officers recognized that this is 

consistent with a known modification for Glock firearms, which allows them to 

function as a machinegun. Upon this discovery, the officers contacted the Bureau 

of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to assist. 

4. On October 4, 2017, Your Affiant took custody of the firearm and conducted a 

field test to determine if the firearm was capable of operating as a machinegun. 

The field test showed that when the selector switch was to one side, the firearm 

functioned as a normal semi-automatic handgun. When the selector switch was 

pushed to the other side, the firearm functioned as a machinegun, indicating that it 

is subject to National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations. Based upon these findings, 

Your Affiant submitted the firearm to the A TF Firearms Technology Division 

(FTB) for additional testing. 

5. Your Affiant conducted an NFA check, which showed that the firearm is not a 

registered NF A Firearm. Your Affiant conducted an additional NF A check for the 

name David DAWKINS as well as for the driver of the vehicle. The check 

showed that neither have any NF A firearms registered to them. 

6. A TF Firearms Enforcement Officer James Barlow examined the firearm and 

determined that the firearm "has been modified by the addition of a machinegunconversion device". Firearms Enforcement Officer Barlow determined that the 

firearm functioned as a machinegun and that it was capable of "firing more than 

one shot, without manual reloading, with a single function of the trigger." 

7. Officer Clarkson applied for and obtained a Hamilton County search warrant for 

the cell phone recovered from DAWKINS at the time of his arrest. Execution of 

the warrant yielded several items of evidentiary value, including evidence that 

DAWKINS knowingly converted the firearm from semi-automatic, as designed 

by the manufacturer, to a fully automatic machinegun. 

8. Additionally, the warrant showed evidence that DAWKINS conspired with a 

woman, using the name "Maryah Mendez" on Facebook, to obtain the 

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aforementioned selector switch. This is evident through examination of their 

conversations, which occurred on the Facebook messaging app on DAWKINS 

phone. 

9. The warrant also yielded the recovery of screen shots that appear to show 

DAWKINS searching for Glock automatic conversion parts. There are multiple 

different types of auto-sear's shown which vary in construction and appearance. 

In some of the screen shots, BEST's face can be seen in the comer as if she was 

being shown the listings by DAWKINS. 

10. One such screenshot, from July 17, 2017, shows a listing on eBay with a product 

description; "Pistol Switch Full Auto Switch For GLOCK". The listing shows a 

photo of a Glock auto-sear with a price of $56.00. The listing advertises "Free 

Shipping From China." 

11. On September 15, 2017, DAWKINS sent a message to "Mendez" via the 

Facebook messaging app stating; "Did anything come for me?" "Mendez" 

responded by sending a photo of a US Postal Service (USPS) tracking label. The 

aforementioned tracking number was provided to US Postal Inspector Karen 

O'Neil who stated that the package was delivered to 6946 Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, 

Ohio on September 18, 2017. Inspector O'Neil also stated that the package 

originated in China but was unable to provide further information. 

12. On September 18, 2017, "Mendez" sent a photo of a Glock selector switch to 

DAWKINS. The selector switch depicted in the photo is identical to the switch 

that was found on the firearm. DAWKINS then arranged to meet with "Mendez" 

to get the switch. 

13. Your Affiant queried the Hamilton County Auditors website which showed that 

6946 Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio was purchased by Arian BEST (Female, 

Black, DOB: 12/22/1990) in June of 2017. Your Affiant queried a law 

enforcement database and found a BMV photograph of BEST. Your Affiant 

compared the BMV photo of BEST to photos found on DAWKINS cell phone, 

and found that DAWKINS phone contained several photos of BEST. 

14. Your Affiant queried Facebook for the name Maryah Mendez and found a public 

Facebook page depicting photos of Arian BEST. On October 16, 2017, the 

Maryah Mendez Facebook page posted a photo with the words "NEW PAGE 

ALLERT!!! Add me Arian Best". Based upon this information Your Affiant 

determined the Maryah Mendez and Arian BEST are the same person. 

15. Your Affiant conducted an NFA check to determine if Arian BEST has any 

legally registered NF A firearms in her name. The search showed that she does not 

have any legally registered NF A firearms. 

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16. Your Affiant and Officer Clarkson researched BEST's relationship to DAWKINS 

and it is believed based upon the totality of the circumstances as well as their 

conversations with each other that they are involved in a romantic relationship 

and share a child in common. 

17. On November 20, 2017, Your Affiant went to 6946 Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 

45239. Upon arrival, Your Affiant observed a red Toyota sedan bearing Ohio 

registration GFE2146 parked in the driveway of the location. SA Remick-Cook 

queried a Law Enforcement database and found that Arian BEST is listed as a coowner of the vehicle. 

18. On October 1, 2017, while in custody at the Hamilton County Justice Center, 

DAWKINS made a recorded call to BEST at the phone number (513) 615-0200. 

During the conversation, BEST asks DAWKINS where the rest of his guns are to 

which he responds; "They over your house." This conversation adds to the belief 

that BEST has and continues to aid and abet DAWKINS in the criminal 

possession of firearms. 

19. Based upon the aforementioned facts and circumstances, your Affiant believes 

that probable cause exists and requests a warrant to search the premise of 6946 

Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45239 for documents pertaining to the purchase of 

machineguns, machineguns parts, firearms, firearms parts and ammunition in 

violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(0). 

VI. 

CONCLUSION 

In view of the above-mentioned facts and my training and experience in the investigation 

firearms related offenses, I have probable cause to believe that contained within 6946 Pin 

Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45239 is evidence of: 

a. 18 USC§ 922(0) - Unlawful possession of a machinegun 

That Arian BEST purchased a machinegun and machinegun parts and provided them to 

David DAtkKIN . 

1')1iii ~ D. ReffiiC-O)()k 

~ 

ATF Special Agent 

Sworn to and subscribed before me thi.J>1 day of No V. 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

j -tr:J/Jtvtu. «&um ,_, 

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U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

ATTACHMENT A 

ITEMS TO BE SEIZED 

Based upon the foregoing, I respectfully submit that there is probable cause to believe 

that the following items will be found at 6946 Pin Oak Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45239 

1. Books, records, notes, ledgers, and other papers relating to the transportation, 

purchase, distribution, packaging, and sale of machineguns, machinegun parts, firearms, 

firearms parts and ammunition, which may be maintained in either paper form or on 

computers, computer disks, CD-ROM disks, DVD disks, Cellular telephones, portable 

storage devices, or other related equipment; 

2. Books, records, receipts, notes, ledgers, money orders, and other records related to the 

use of the United Stated Postal System to facilitate the unlawful purchase of 

machineguns, machinegun parts, firearms, firearms parts and ammunition. These items 

may be maintained in either paper form or on computers, computer disks, CD-ROM 

disks, DVD disks, Cellular telephones, portable storage devices, or other related 

equipment, relating to the distribution of firearms, firearms parts and ammunition; 

3. Books, papers, and documents and information contained within cellular phones and 

electronic organizers reflecting names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact 

or identification information of participants in the illicit trade of machineguns, 

machinegun parts, firearms, firearms parts and ammunition; 

5. Pagers, cellular phones, electronic organizers, caller identification devices, 

answering machine devices, and other communication devices belonging to David 

DAWKINS and Arian BEST. 

6. Photographs, and videotape of David DAWKINS and other convicted felons in 

the possession, transfer and use of machineguns, machinegun parts, firearms, firearms 

parts and ammunition; 

10. Proof of residency, including but not limited to cancelled mail, deeds, leases, rental 

agreements, photographs, personal telephone books, diaries, utility and telephone bills, 

statements, identification documents and keys: and 

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11. Any safes, vaults, or secured storage equipment that could secret any of the above 

listed items. 

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