LARRY DAVID WELCH, 30, and JACOB LEE MADISON, 24, both residents of Oklahoma City, have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 12 years in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms after previous felony convictions. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Court records show that on April 7, 2025, officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex. Authorities determined that Welch and Madison had fired weapons during a dispute with neighbors. After the incident, both individuals fled and were later found hiding in a nearby backyard shed without permission from the property owner. Police recovered the firearms used in the shooting shortly after locating the suspects.
On May 6, 2025, a federal Grand Jury indicted Welch and Madison for being felons in possession of firearms. Both men have prior felony convictions. Welch’s record includes offenses such as injuring or burning a public building, possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, endangering others while eluding police officers, unauthorized use of a vehicle, second degree burglary, knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property, unlawful possession of controlled drugs with intent to distribute, and committing a felony with a firearm with a defaced identification number.
On July 16, 2025, Welch and Madison pleaded guilty to possessing firearms despite their prior felony convictions.
During sentencing hearings held today before U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones II, Welch received a sentence of 96 months in federal prison while Madison was sentenced to 58 months. Both will serve three years of supervised release following their imprisonment. Judge Jones stated: “the seriousness of the offenses and the need for deterrence.”
The investigation was conducted by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis prosecuted the case as part of her role funded by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities.
This prosecution falls under “Operation Shots Fired,” an initiative within the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN that focuses on cases involving individuals who discharge firearms during criminal activities such as drive-by shootings or domestic disputes.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
