Shooting Investigation Lands Oklahoma City Man in Federal Prison for 15 Years for Illegal Firearm Possession

OKLAHOMA CITY – RONALD LADALE ATCHISON, JR., 37, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 180 months in federal prison—the statutory maximum—for illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

On March 5, 2024, a federal grand jury charged Atchison with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to public record, on January 29, 2024, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the northeast Metro. At the scene, officers found a wrecked vehicle and two victims, one of whom had been shot in the neck. The victims told authorities they had been chased by a dark colored SUV, and the driver had fired multiple gunshots at them, some at point-blank range after the victims crashed their vehicle. The victim with the gunshot wound was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries. That evening, law enforcement located the suspect SUV and took the driver, Atchison, into custody.  Inside the SUV, officers found a handgun, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl pills. 

On May 29, 2024, Atchison pleaded guilty, and admitted he unlawfully possessed a firearm despite his criminal record. 

At the sentencing hearing on November 13, 2024, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Atchison to serve 180 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Wyrick noted Atchison’s lack of respect for the law, the need to protect the public, and his long criminal history. Public record reflects that Atchison has a lengthy criminal history, with convictions in Oklahoma County District Court that include:

• domestic abuse by strangulation in case number CF-2019-2373;
• driving while under the influence in case number CF-2019-2273;
• possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia in case number CF-2012-7555;
• illegal possession of a firearm and concealing stolen property in case number CF-2012-2671; and
• possession of marijuana in case number CF-2009-4362.

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 Drew E. Davis prosecuted the case. 

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.