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2 Cleveland men busted by FBI for allegedly smuggling firearms

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2 Cleveland men busted by FBI for allegedly smuggling firearms


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force announced the arrests of two men charged with several firearms violations, including trafficking, smuggling, and murder-for-hire, according to a press release from the FBI.

The FBI said 66-year-old George Baynes, aka Issa Yusef, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Aaron Betts, age 48, of Cleveland, Ohio, were arrested Friday without incident, and charged by the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, with several charges.

According to court documents, Baynes and Betts violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(d)(1), Selling or Disposing of a Firearm to a Convicted Felon; Title 18, United States Code, Section 932(b), Conspiracy to Straw Purchase Firearms; Title 18, United States Code, Section 933(a)(1), Firearms Trafficking; and Title 18, United States Code, Section 933(a)(1) and (3), Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy; and there is also probable cause that BAYNES has violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 554(a), Attempted Smuggling of Goods from the United States; Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), Felon in Possession of a Firearm; and Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958(a), Murder-for-Hire.

Court documents allege Baynes repeatedly purchased and sold new and stolen firearms and attempted to smuggle firearms overseas. Baynes also enlisted Betts to purchase firearms at a Cleveland area gun show.

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Betts bought and sold multiple firearms to Baynes, a known felon, and knew the weapons were to be shipped overseas, according to the complaint.

Baynes, according to the documents, also provided a cooperating witness with firearms magazines and a gas mask to smuggle overseas along with the firearms and discussed smuggling parts for the creation and manufacture of pipe bombs. Additionally, Baynes solicited the witness to murder a specific subject known to Baynes.

Baynes and Betts are being held in custody pending detention and preliminary hearings.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, and its Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the Akron Police Department, ATF, CBP, Cleveland Division of Police, CMHA, Cuyahoga County School District, Cuyahoga County Community College Police Department, ERO, HSI, Parma Police Department, RTA, SSA, USCIS, USDA, and USSS.

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Guardians News and Notes: My Kingdom For Some Runs

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Guardians News and Notes: My Kingdom For Some Runs


MLB: MAY 30 Red Sox at Guardians

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 30: Cleveland Guardians left fielder Stuart Fairchild (17) makes a catch for an during the fifth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians on May 30, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images



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1 dead, 1 in critical condition after Cleveland shooting: EMS

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1 dead, 1 in critical condition after Cleveland shooting: EMS


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland EMS responded to a report for a gunshot wound early Saturday morning.

According to EMS, the report was for the 2800 block of Woodbridge Aveune around 2:40 a.m.

When EMS arrived, an 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead on scene and a 25-year-old man was transported to MetroHealth in critical condition.

According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, the victim was identified as 18-year-old Joshay Andrews, of Cleveland.

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19 News has made call outs to Cleveland Police for more information on the shooting and if any arrests have been made.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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3 Options For the Cavaliers to Replace GM Mike Gansey

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3 Options For the Cavaliers to Replace GM Mike Gansey


As Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey begins a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland will begin searching for a new GM to work with President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman.

While Altman has been the man behind most of Cleveland’s big moves, including trades like the James Harden deal this year, Gansey has been a key part of the scouting and development operations.

Here are three candidates who could replace Gansey and take over some front office responsibilities.

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1. Brandon Weems

Weems could be the most logical candidate for the job, allowing the Cavaliers to make an internal hire. Weems is currently serving as an assistant GM for the team.

He was hired as a director of scouting in 2017 and was promoted to senior director of scouting in 2021. He has been part of several solid draft picks including Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson, while also missing on picks like Isaac Okoro and Emoni Bates.

Weems still overlooks Cleveland’s scouting in his current possession, and still regularly scouts on his own for the team. He’d be a very logical choice to take over for Gansey, being able to help Cleveland get the most out of limited draft picks and help develop some late round talent.

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2. Dave Telep

Once an ESPN analyst, Telep has been a key member of the San Antonio Spurs front office for more than a decade.

He was originally hired as a scouting coordinator, but worked his way up the ranks in the scouting and development department. In 2022 he was promoted to VP of basketball operations, where he helped draft Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the Spurs young cast.

He most recently has served as an assistant GM this season while the Spurs are having a terrific playoff run ahead of schedule. He’ll be a highly coveted prospect for any front office this year, but Cleveland could offer some serious money to acquire him and his development skills.

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3. Matt Lloyd

One of the most experienced candidates who could be looking for a new home this offseason, Lloyd has proven to be a front office guy who is willing to make big moves.

He began his career in the late 90s with the Chicago Bulls, worked with the Orlando Magic for a decade, and has been with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the past few seasons. 

Lloyd has been a part of a Timberwolves organization that has been active. Some of their splashes include swapping Karl Anthony-Towns for Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo with the Knicks, and acquiring both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley from the Utah Jazz.

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Lloyd has helped lead Minnesota to two conference finals, and a second round playoff trip this year. Having a voice telling Altman to pull the trigger on franchise-changing moves could be the difference in Cleveland’s success soon.

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