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Press Release

Altus Man Convicted for Lying about Pending Criminal Charges during Purchase of a Rifle

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – ANGEL LUIS GARCIA-NAVEDO, 27, of Altus, has been found guilty after a bench trial of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On August 16, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment against Garcia-Navedo, charging him with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and with illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment. On May 14, 2024, the case proceeded to a bench trial on the false statement count, after which the Court found Garcia-Navedo guilty.

According to evidence presented at trial, in April 2023, Garcia-Navedo visited an Altus federal firearm licensee (FFL) to initiate the purchase of a rifle. To do so, Garcia-Navedo was required to complete Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473. This Form requires buyers to answer several questions, including those about the buyer’s competency, criminal history, drug use, immigration status, and history with domestic violence. Federal law prohibits knowingly making any false statement in connection with purchasing, or attempting to purchase, a firearm.

On the ATF Form 4473, evidence at trial showed that Garcia-Navedo indicated that he was not under indictment or information for a felony or a crime for which he could be imprisoned for more than one year. Public record reflects, however, that at the time that he completed the ATF Form 4473, Garcia-Navedo was charged by information with two felony offenses in Jackson County District Court.

At sentencing, Garcia-Navedo faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

This case is the result of an investigation by the ATF and the Altus Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle M. Connolly, Mary E. Walters, and Steven W. Creager are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. In October 2017, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop crime-reduction strategies that incorporate lessons federal law enforcement has learned since the program’s launch in 2001. This case is also part of "Operation 922," the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN, which prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

Updated May 17, 2024

Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods