Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
OKLAHOMA CITY – JEREMIAH ALEXANDER DEARING, 20, of Lawton, has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On December 3, 2024, a federal Grand Jury returned a two-count Indictment against Dearing, charging him with being a drug user in possession of firearms and with unlawful possession of a machinegun. According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal Complaint, on October 9, 2024, Dearing participated in a recorded video jail call with an inmate at the Grady County Jail. During that call, officers with the Lawton Police Department (LPD) observed Dearing display an AK47-style pistol and flash multiple gang signs. As Dearing’s age prohibited him from legally carrying a firearm under Oklahoma state law, LPD detectives sought and obtained a search warrant for his residence. Upon execution of the warrant, law enforcement discovered five firearms in Dearing’s bedroom, including a privately manufactured firearm that did not have a serial number. All of the firearms were chamber-loaded and equipped with high-capacity magazines. Officers also seized a machinegun conversion device (MCD). When installed, the MCD converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Law enforcement also recovered approximately 92 fentanyl pills from the residence.
Dearing pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025, and admitted he unlawfully possessed a machinegun. At sentencing, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lawton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly is prosecuting 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. This case is also part of “Project Switch Off,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of PSN. “Project Switch Off” targets illegal machinegun conversion devices to address the significant danger these illegal devices present and to remove them from our streets. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.