Man Subject to Victim Protective Orders Charged with Federal Gun Crimes

OKLAHOMA CITY – CHAD WAYNE KASPEREIT, 34, of Oklahoma City, has been charged with one count of lying on a federal form to purchase firearms, as well as two counts of possessing a firearm while subject to a victim protective order, announced Robert J. Troester of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  An indictment returned by a federal grand jury on December 4, 2018, was unsealed today after Kaspereit’s arrest.

According to Count 1 of the indictment, Kaspereit made a materially false statement on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Form 4473 when he falsely represented that he was not subject to a victim protective order.  He allegedly knew when he completed the form that he was subject to such an order in Stephens County, Oklahoma.  He is alleged to have made the false statement on December 7, 2017, at Academy Store 246 in Yukon, Oklahoma, before he purchased a Taurus Judge .45 caliber revolver and a Taurus PT 738 .380 pistol.  Form 4473, entitled Firearms Transaction Record, is required of individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers.

Counts 2 and 3 charge Kaspereit with the felony of possessing a firearm while subject to a victim protective order.  Count 2 alleges he possessed the Taurus Judge .45 caliber revolver and the Taurus PT 738 .380 pistol between December 7, 2017, and February 26, 2018, when he was subject to the Stephens County protective order.  Count 3 alleges he possessed the Taurus PT 738 .380 caliber pistol on October 16, 2018, when he was subject to a separate victim protective order in Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

If convicted, Kaspereit faces on each count up to ten years in prison, in addition to a fine of up to $250,000.  He would also be subject to up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, with assistance from the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office.  Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney K. McKenzie Anderson, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on the most violent offenders and partners with local prevention and re-entry programs for lasting reductions in crime.  To enhance local effectiveness, the Western District of Oklahoma has emphasized prosecution of federal gun crimes connected to domestic violence.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that Kaspereit is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Reference is made to public filings for further information.