John Anthony Owen, a 24-year-old resident of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for illegal possession of machineguns. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The charges stem from an incident on April 4, 2024, when the Oklahoma City Police Department executed a search warrant at Owen's home. Officers discovered two firearms modified with machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), which transform semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic machineguns. Such possession is against federal law.
Owen was formally charged on June 3, 2024, and subsequently pleaded guilty on July 3, admitting he knowingly possessed the MCDs.
U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman delivered the sentence on January 30, 2025. In addition to his prison term, Owen will undergo three years of supervised release following his incarceration. The court highlighted the serious nature of the offense during sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Oklahoma City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hoch.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. It also falls under "Project Switch Off," a local initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices in the Western District of Oklahoma to mitigate their danger and remove them from circulation.
Further details can be found in public records.