Press release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Danny Joe Patrick, age 51, of Wilburton, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm & Ammunition.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Latimer County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Indictment alleged that on April 5, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed in and affecting commerce, a firearm and ammunition which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Enforcement of federal firearms statutes prohibiting felons from possessing firearms and ammunition is one way we help local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys combat violent crime. One of DOJ’s top priorities is combating and reducing violent crime, particularly crimes involving guns. I am thankful we have the opportunity to work alongside our state, local, tribal, and federal partners to make a positive impact in the Eastern District.”
This case is consistent with the principles of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department's past successful programs to reduce gun violence. A key principle of Project Guardian is enhancing coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes to ensure that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.
For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download
Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.