Multi Convicted Serial Thief Sentenced to Federal Prison for Crime Spree

TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Brett Matthew Chamberlain, 41, for seven counts of Bank Fraud, five counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, two counts of Theft in Indian Country, being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence in Indian Country. Chamberlain was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Judge Russell further ordered Chamberlain to pay $10,142.20 in restitution.

According to court documents, between August 2022 through December 2022, Chamberlain broke into more than 30 vehicles and stole items of value. He would make unauthorized purchases using the vehicle owners’ property, such as credit cards, bank cards, bank checks, and personal identification. Using the victims’ funds and personal identifying information, Chamberlain went on shopping sprees at Home Depot and Target, refueled his vehicle, and reloaded minutes on his prepaid cellphone. Several victims had property stolen valued at more than $1,000, including one firearm.

In December 2022, the Tulsa Police Department pulled over a vehicle flagged in the Flock camera system as a suspect vehicle in multiple burglaries. Chamberlain was driving the vehicle and a stolen firearm was found inside. Chamberlain was not allowed to possess a firearm after being convicted of more than 22 felonies in Oklahoma.

Additionally, Chamberlain further admitted to firing at least two shots in the direction of a victim while they were inside their car.  He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Anderson prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about PSN, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.