Last Updated on February 12, 2024, 11:17 AM | Published: February 12, 2024
The United States Department of Justice sends this information as posted below:
Man Illegally Possessed Machinegun Conversion Device, Firearm, and Methamphetamine for Distribution
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, TRAVELLE LAMONT LATHAN, 30, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve 163 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public record, Oklahoma City Police Officers responded to a domestic violence 911 call in November 2022. During the investigation, officers recovered more than 195 grams of methamphetamine, several rounds of ammunition, and a handgun from Lathan’s apartment. An agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives determined the firearm had been modified with an illegal machinegun conversion device, commonly known as a “switch”, which converted the semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun.
Public record further reflects that Lathan holds multiple prior felony convictions, including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and attempting to elude an officer in Cleveland County District Court case number CF-2018-1045, and Trafficking in Drugs and Unlawful Use of a Weapon in St. Louis, Missouri, case number 1722-CR-1881-01.
On December 7, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a five-count Indictment against Lathan, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, possession of a machinegun, and felon in possession of ammunition.
On May 5, 2023, Lathan pleaded guilty to counts 1, 2, and 4 of the Indictment, and admitted to possessing methamphetamine which he intended to distribute, and the handgun which had been modified with a switch to operate as a machinegun.
At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Lathan to serve 163 months in federal prison. In announcing his sentence, Judge Palk noted the significance of Lathan possessing the machinegun along with a 50 round drum and a pistol-caliber ballistic vest and also took into account the domestic assault.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Gridley prosecuted the case.
This case is part of “Operation 922” and “Project Switch Off”, the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. “Operation 922” prioritizes prosecution of federal firearms violations connected to domestic violence. “Project Switch Off” targets illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches”, to address the significant danger these illegal devises present, and to remove them from our streets. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
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