An Oklahoma man has been sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Christopher Allen Thetford, 31, received a sentence of 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release from U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III.
The incident occurred in April 2024 when Broken Arrow Police officers noticed a vehicle with a damaged windshield entering a hotel parking lot in an area known for criminal activity and drug use. After the vehicle left the hotel, officers conducted a traffic stop. Upon approaching the car, officers detected the smell of marijuana and identified Thetford as the passenger. When asked if there was a firearm in the vehicle, Thetford denied it.
After exiting the vehicle, police found methamphetamine in Thetford’s pants pocket. A further search of the car led to the discovery of additional methamphetamine and a loaded firearm under the passenger seat where Thetford had been sitting.
Court documents indicate that Thetford has previous felony convictions in both Missouri and Oklahoma. He will remain in custody until he is transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation was carried out by the Broken Arrow Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dowdell prosecuted the case.
According to information from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), this case is part of an initiative that coordinates law enforcement efforts at all levels with community organizations to reduce violent crime and gun violence across neighborhoods nationwide. In May 2021, PSN adopted new strategies focused on building trust within communities, supporting local organizations working to prevent violence before it occurs, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and evaluating results. More details about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
