Prior Felon Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Possessing a Loaded Firearm and Five Pounds of Methamphetamine

TULSA, Okla. – A Broken Arrow man was sentenced today for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson sentenced Christopher Michael Helton, 48, to 168 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

In September 2024, Tulsa Police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle that Helton was driving. Instead of pulling over, Helton led officers on a pursuit through neighborhoods, and he tossed a black pack from the vehicle. Officers deployed “stop sticks” that slowed Helton down. After driving through a brick wall, several yards, and fences, Helton jumped out of the vehicle and ran.

Officers found Helton nearby and detained him. After searching his vehicle, officers found a loaded handgun, several magazines, and 480 rounds of ammunition. Officers searched the backpack that Helton tossed and found five pounds of methamphetamine.

Court records show that Helton has a lengthy criminal record that includes domestic assault and battery, kidnapping, possessing a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. 

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.