Five Individuals Indicted In December 2016 Federal Grand Jury

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the December 2016 Federal Grand Jury.

“The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury.  A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt.  A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court.  Federal prison sentences are non-parolable.”

ALEXANDRA ELAINE BURRIS, age 27, of Detroit, Michigan

Possession With Intent To Distribute Heroin
Possession With Intent To Distribute Cocaine

The Indictment alleges that on or about August 11, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), punishable by no more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00 or both.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about August 11, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), punishable by no more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00 or both.

The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney Rob Wallace

AARON EMIL WEEDEN, age 37, of Wagoner, Oklahoma

Felon In Possession Of Firearm

The Indictment alleges that on or about November 13, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce a firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by no more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Wagoner Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington

BOBBY LEE RUPPEL, JR., age 37, of Del City, Oklahoma

Felon In Possession Of Firearm

The Indictment alleges that on or about November 1, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce a firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by no more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Henryetta Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington

CHAD ANTHONY COX, age 27, of Dallas, Texas

Felon In Possession Of Firearm
Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine
Possession Of A Firearm In Furtherance Of A Drug Trafficking Crime

The Indictment alleges that on or about October 6, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce a firearm, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), punishable by no more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about October 6, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), punishable by no more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00 or both.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about October 6, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess a firearm, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine as alleged in Count Two, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), punishable by no longer than 60 months imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Chickasaw Nation Tribal Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris

JEFFREY SCOTT HOFFMAN, age 46, of Park Hill, Oklahoma

Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine
Possession Of Unregistered Firearm (Sawed-Off Shotgun)

The Indictment alleges that on or about November 5, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), punishable by no more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00 or both.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about November 5, 2016, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess a shotgun having a barrel less than 18 inches in length, which is a firearm, as defined in Title 26, United States Code, Section 5845, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5861(d), 5841, 5845(a) and 5871, punishable by no more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris