Antlers Resident Sentenced for Possession of Stolen Firearm

MUSKOGEE, OK—Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that ASHTON ABRAHAM NEESE, age 19, of Antlers, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 47 months’ imprisonment, followed by 36 months of supervised release for Possession of Stolen Firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(j). NEESE was also ordered to pay $9000.00 in restitution.

“Charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Pushmataha District Attorney’s Office and other local law enforcement officers,” stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. “NEESE was indicted in November 2008, and pled guilty to the charges on December 11, 2008.”

“In August 2008, NEESE committed a burglary on a residence in Pushmataha County. Fourteen (14) firearms were stolen. On August 18, 2008, a state search warrant was served on the residence of an associate of NEESE. A rifle was found hidden beneath a mattress in a bedroom. The rifle was identified as one that was previously stolen. The owner of the residence informed law enforcement that NEESE brought the rifle and others to his residence that day,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The arrest and prosecution of NEESE and other accomplices ended a string of residential burglaries in south eastern Oklahoma.”

“The Honorable James H. Payne, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today’s hearing. The defendant remains in the custody of the United States Marshal Service.”

“Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Roberts represented the United States.”