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Press Release

Former Convicted Felon And Gang Member To Serve 46 Months In Prison For Possession Of Firearms Purchased At Gun Show

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – JORDAN ABE CHAVIRA, 22, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot to serve 46 months in prison for unlawful possession of firearms as a prior convicted felon, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. The firearms were purchased at a local gun show.

"It is a priority of this office to work with law enforcement to keep firearms out of the hands of felons," said U.S. Attorney Coats. "The defendant, a convicted felon, was able to purchase two semiautomatic firearms and ammunition at a local gun show without the necessity of a background check. Fortunately, alert Oklahoma City Police Officers were able to arrest and unarm the defendant before a violent crime was committed. Anyone who is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, including convicted felons, better think twice before doing so. Law enforcement is committed to protecting law-abiding citizens from gun violence, and at the core of that effort is the apprehension and prosecution of felons who possess guns."

"The successful prosecution of Chavira by U.S. Attorney Coats highlights the cooperation between the Oklahoma City Police Department and ATF during the last 13 months to proactively keep firearms out of the hands of criminals who use gun show venues to purchase firearms," said OCPD Chief Bill Citty.

"This investigation is an example of ATF's partnership with the Oklahoma City Police Department to address violent crime associated with violent gangs and convicted felons in the Oklahoma City area as they attempt to illegally acquire firearms as tools of their trade," said Robert R. Champion, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to Judge Friot’s findings at sentencing, attached below, Chavira is a convicted felon and former member of the Southside Locos, a gang with a long history of violent criminal activity in Oklahoma City. On March 18, 2012, gang enforcement officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department were participating in a surveillance of a gun show in Oklahoma City. At the gun show, officers overheard Chavira approach a vendor and say, “no paperwork right,” referring to an ATF form used for a background check in order to purchase a firearm. After the dealer stated that paperwork was required because he was a federal firearms licensee, Chavira walked away and did not purchase any items from that dealer.

At the gun show, Officers observed Chavira purchase an Intratec 9 mm semiautomatic machine pistol with a high capacity magazine walk from one private vendor, a Glock Model 22, 40 caliber semiautomatic handgun from a different private vendor, and ammunition from a yet another private vendor. Each of these purchases was made by Chavira with cash and without any receipts or other paperwork completed.

Chavira and his friend left the gun show in a vehicle which was subsequently stopped by OCPD officers. In the vehicle, officers found a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun capable of handling a large capacity 32-round magazine, a .40 caliber Glock Model 22 semiautomatic handgun, three high capacity magazines, one box of 9 mm bullets with 40 rounds, and .22 caliber bullets.

Chavira was indicted on June 5, 2012. On August 10, 2012, he pled guilty to the indictment without a plea agreement.

Judge Friot ordered that Chavira serve 46 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. As a convicted felon, Chavira is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition in the future.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Borden.

Reference is made to court documents for further information.

Updated December 15, 2014