Tahlequah Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Firearm And Ammunition, Threatening Federal Official's Family Member

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Hurley Dewayne Pitts, age 46, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to Felon In Possession Of Firearm & Ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2) and 924(e)(1), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both; and to Influencing Federal Official By Threatening Family Member, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 115(a)(1)(A) and 115(b)(4), punishable by 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both. 

The Indictment alleged that on or about January 18, 2020, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of said conviction, did knowingly possess in and affecting commerce, a firearm and ammunition which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce. 

The Indictment further alleged that on or about February 22, 2020, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did threaten to assault, kidnap, and murder the immediate family members of T.C., a Task Force Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with T.C. while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties, and to retaliate against T.C. on account of the performance of his official duties. 

The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton represented the United States at the change of plea hearing.