Broken Arrow Man Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing Several Firearm Switches

TULSA, Okla. – A Broken Arrow man was sentenced for unlawfully possessing “switches” that are used to convert a handgun into a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Derrick Carl Andrew Chatman, 25, of Broken Arrow, for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. Chatman was ordered to serve 24 months imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release.

In July 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was contacted by the Tulsa Police Department about recovering a firearm with an attached machinegun conversion device commonly known as a “switch.” A parent found the gun and ammunition in their juvenile’s bedroom. With the parents’ permission, the juvenile spoke with law enforcement and disclosed that he purchased the firearm at a gun show at the fairgrounds. While at the gun show, the juvenile met a man who sold and installed 
a switch.

When law enforcement searched Chatman’s home, they found a firearm, several rounds of ammunition, and a box with a shipping label from China that contained firearm switches. During the investigation, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol intercepted a second package addressed to Chatman from China that contained an additional 15 machine gun conversion devices.

State court records show that Chatman was charged in July 2024 with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and other crimes.  Shortly after being charged, Chatman pleaded guilty, was sentenced, and was under the State's supervision when federally indicted.

Chatman will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The ATF, the Tulsa Police Department, and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses on the most pressing violent crime issues facing our communities.  This nationwide initiative brings together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to strategically address and reduce violent crime, in collaboration with other agencies and organizations that serve communities.