Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Gun

Ira Lee Wilkins, 38, of Tulsa, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court for being a felon in possession of a Hi-Point C9 9 mm pistol and associated ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Wilkins to 70 months in federal prison.

“Felons are prohibited from possessing firearms, period. No ifs, ands, or buts. A central focus of our Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative is prosecuting felons who possess guns because they pose a threat to the security of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I commend the combined effort of law enforcement and Assistant U.S. Attorneys to ensure that fellow Oklahomans are safe.”

In May 2019, a local business contacted authorities after a disturbance involving the defendant. Officers from the Tulsa Police Department answered the call and discovered that Wilkins had outstanding warrants and was previously convicted of multiple felonies. Upon his arrest, officers found the loaded pistol in his front pants’ pocket.

The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Proctor and Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.