Clements Convicted on Weapons Charges After Forest Hill Park Dog Shooting

The man accused of chaining a dog to a tree and shooting him in a Cleveland Heights park was convicted on two federal weapons charges today.

Ramone "Raymone" Clements, 42, of Cleveland, was charged with being a felon in possession of weapons and ammunition when police searched his home in the investigation of the shooting.

He faces up to 19 to 24 years in prison at his sentencing June 13.

"The whole thing was pretty amazing," said Robin Stone, who adopted the dog. "Forrest's situation and the shooting in the park was a huge part of the trial," she added.

She has previously discussed her dissapointment with the justice for Forrest — that Clements, accused of animal abuse, would go to jail for only six months if convicted of shooting the dog, but because he is believed to illegally have bulllets, he faces up to 24 years.

Clements has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon — charges to which he pleaded not guilty.

He is not allowed to own guns or ammunitions because he has previous convictions in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for rape in 2006, drug trafficking in 2003 and aggravated robbery in 1991, according to his indictment.

Though Clements was originally charged in local courts for animal cruelty and weapons charges, those charges were dropped in lieu of federal prosecution.

The ammunition charge carries a greater sentence than a conviction of animal cruelty would have.

The accusations against Clements have drawn the ire of animal rights activists.

About 100 people gathered at Public Square on the day Clements' trial began to rally for lawmakers to make animal abuse a felony in Ohio.