Bryan County Residents Plead Guilty In Scheme To Illegally Acquire Firearms

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Rebecca Leann Hughes, age 33, and Nathanial Louis Hughes, age 31, both of Calera, Oklahoma, entered guilty pleas to their roles in a scheme to unlawfully buy and sell firearms.

Rebecca Hughes pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Acquire a Firearm from a Licensed Dealer by False and Fictitious Statement.  The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.00.

Nathanial Louis Hughes pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm.  The charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

The Indictment alleged that beginning on June 26, 2024, and continuing until July 21, 2024, Rebecca Hughes knowingly and intentionally conspired to unlawfully acquire firearms from a licensed dealer.  The Indictment alleged that while purchasing multiple firearms, Rebecca Hughes answered “YES” on Block 21(a) of ATF Form 4473, indicating that she was the actual buyer of the firearms.  As part of her plea, Rebecca Hughes acknowledged that she formed an agreement to purchase the firearms on behalf of her husband, Nathanial Hughes, despite knowing that he is a convicted felon.

The Indictment further alleged that on or about July 21, 2024, Nathanial Hughes unlawfully possessed multiple firearms despite knowing that he had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  Rebecca Hughes and Nathanial Hughes were released on bond pending their sentencing hearings.  A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.