Republic Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms and Threats Against Law Enforcement

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Republic, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 18, 2025, for illegally possessing firearms and threats against law enforcement. The indictment was unsealed and made public today following his arrest and initial court appearance.

Franklin E. Brownlee, 40, was charged with attempted destruction of an aircraft, being an unlawful user of a controlled substance while in possession of firearms, and transmitting a threat to injure law enforcement across state lines. The indictment specifically alleges that, on March 27, 2025, Brownlee attempted to destroy an unmanned aerial system operated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, illegally possessed a Glock pistol and a Remington shotgun knowing that he was an unlawful user of a controlled substance, and knowingly & willfully transmitted a threat to injure law enforcement in interstate and foreign commerce.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).