Oklahoma City Man to Serve More than 11 Years in Federal Prison After Man is Shot in the Head

OKLAHOMA CITY – CHARLES DARNELL HUNTER, 50, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 137 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On May 7, 2025, a federal Grand Jury charged Hunter with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to public record, on January 20, 2024, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) responded to a metro hospital following a reported shooting that resulted in a man with a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses told OCPD that shortly before the shooting, they saw a black truck driving on Northwest 87th Street with a gun pointed out the window. The victim survived his injuries. An investigation into the vehicle led OCPD to Hunter, and OCPD executed a search warrant at Hunter’s home on February 1, 2024, where they seized two firearms. One of these firearms matched cartridge cases recovered at the scene of the shooting.

On September 24, 2024, Hunter pleaded guilty, and admitted he possessed a firearm despite his previous felony convictions.

At the sentencing hearing on May 30, 2025, U.S. Chief District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Hunter to serve 137 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In announcing the sentence, the Court noted the seriousness of the offense and Hunter’s criminal history. Public record reflects that Hunter has previous felony convictions in Oklahoma County District Court that include:

• first-degree robbery in case number CF-1991-6009;
• possession of a firearm in case number CF-2004-3487; and
• possession of controlled dangerous substances with intent to distribute in case numbers CF-2013-3716 and CF-2014-5232.

Public record further reflects that Hunter has charges pending in Oklahoma County District Court for shooting with intent to kill and / or drive-by shooting, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a commission of a gang related offense in case number CF-2024-688.  

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr. 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. This case is also part of “Operation Shots Fired.” Operation Shots Fired targets cases involving individuals who discharge firearms as part of their criminal activity, such as drive-by shootings or when shots are fired during robberies, domestic disputes, or other incidents. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.