Skip to main content
Press Release

Felon Sentenced To 188 Months In Federal Prison For Possessing Firearm, Threatening An FBI Task Force Officer

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

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Hurley Dewayne Pitts, age 46, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm & Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2) and 924(e)(1) and Influencing Federal Official By Threatening Family Member, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 115(a)(1)(A) and 115(b)(4). The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Superseding Indictment to which the defendant previously entered a guilty plea alleged that on or about January 18, 2020, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of said conviction, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm and ammunition which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce. 

The Superseding Indictment further alleged that on or about February 22, 2020, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did threaten to assault, kidnap, and murder the immediate family members of T.C., a Task Force Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with T.C. while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties, and to retaliate against T.C. on account of the performance of his official duties.

Acting United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson said, “The investigation and prosecution of Defendant Pitts is the result of strong working relationships law enforcement agencies have in the Eastern District.  Law enforcement have difficult and often dangerous jobs.  They put their lives on the line to protect our citizens on a daily basis.  When defendants choose to target law enforcement officers or their families with threats and intimidation, this office will stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims to ensure this type of conduct is not tolerated and defendants are held accountable.”

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton represented the United States.  Pitts was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await commitment to United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

Updated April 23, 2021

Topics
Firearms Offenses
Violent Crime