Antlers Felon Sentenced for Possession of Stolen Firearm

MUSKOGEE, OK—Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that WILLIE JOE STEEL, age 35, of Antlers, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment, followed by 36 months of supervised release for being a Felon in Possession of Firearm and Possession of Stolen Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and (j). STEEL was also ordered to pay $1745.00 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. “STEEL was indicted in November 2008, and pled guilty on December 11, 2008.”

“In August 2008, STEEL, along with others, committed a burglary on a storage building in Pushmataha County, where approximately 25 firearms were stolen. On August 20, 2008, Steel was interviewed by an OSBI agent and a Pushmataha County Investigator about that burglary. STEEL admitted the he assisted in committing that burglary and gave a list of individuals to whom he sold or traded those firearms,” continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.

“The arrest and prosecution of STEEL 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.”