OKLAHOMA CITY — A two-month, multi-agency operation intended to reduce violent crime in Oklahoma City resulted in 50 defendants being charged with firearms and drug offenses.
Forty-two defendants have been charged in federal court and eight have been charged in Oklahoma County District Court according to a press release.
Offenses with which federal defendants have been charged include:
- Illegal firearms trafficking,
- Unlawful possession and transfer of machineguns,
- Unlawful possession of firearms,
- Making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm,
- Using a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime,
- Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Offenses with which state defendants have been charged include:
- Aggravated trafficking of fentanyl,
- Trafficking of methamphetamine,
- Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,
- Possession of a firearm after juvenile adjudication.
Seizures
In the two-month process of arresting the defendants, combined law enforcement agencies seized the following
193 firearms, including:
- 81 Pistols
- 4 Revolvers
- 10 Rifles
- 6 Shotguns
- 9 Machineguns, and
- 83 Machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), including 30 partially completed MCDs
Two 3-D printers (used to print MCDs)
More than 63 kilograms of drugs, with an approximate street value of nearly $750,000, including:
- 53 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl
- 5.2 kilograms of cocaine, and
- 3.8 kilograms of marijuana
“MCDs, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears,” unlawfully convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons (i.e., machineguns),” read the press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office. “The possession, manufacturing, and sale of MCDs violates federal law as illegal possession of a machinegun. Those charged with MCD-related offenses face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.”
Leaders commend law enforcement
Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Zemp Behenna expressed appreciation to the task force.
“We appreciate the efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement officials during this months-long operation,” said Behenna. “The invaluable work they did to get these guns and drugs off the streets and out of hands of dangerous felons will ultimately keep our city and citizens safer.”
Robert J. Troester, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma weighed in on the effort named “Operation Sonic Boom.”
“This Operation alone removes from our streets nearly 200 dangerous firearms and machineguns, and over 63 kilos of deadly drugs,” said Troester. “I commend ATF’s leadership with this effort and our law enforcement partners who worked together to make Operation Sonic Boom successful.”
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
