Wellston Man Pleads Guilty to Lying on a Federal ATF Record to Purchase a Firearm from Licensed Gun Dealer

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, BRANDON ALLEN McNEILL, 40, of Wellston, pleaded guilty to a "lie and buy" by making a false statement on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) firearms transaction record when purchasing a firearm from licensed gun dealer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

On March 2, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment against McNeill, charging him with making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm, and possessing a firearm after a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.  According to the Indictment, on January 8, 2021, McNeill entered a federally licensed firearm dealer to purchase a firearm.  During the process, McNeill made a false and fictitious written statement on a federal ATF firearms transaction record indicating that he had not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, when in fact, he had been convicted of such an offense in 2019. 

Federal law prohibits a person who has previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm.  McNeill was found in possession of the firearm on January 14, 2021, as alleged in the Indictment.

At today’s hearing, McNeill pleaded guilty to making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm.  At sentencing, McNeill faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.   As part of his plea agreement, the government will dismiss at sentencing the second count, charging him with illegally possessing the firearm after a domestic violence conviction.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan West.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiatives to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  The local implementation of these initiatives in the Western District of Oklahoma is through "Operation 922," which prioritizes prosecution of federal gun crimes connected to domestic violence.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.