Jeremiah Alexander Dearing, a 20-year-old resident of Lawton, Oklahoma, has entered a guilty plea for the unlawful possession of a machinegun. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The case against Dearing began when a federal Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment on December 3, 2024. He was charged with being a drug user in possession of firearms and with the unlawful possession of a machinegun. According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on October 9, 2024, Dearing participated in a recorded video call with an inmate at Grady County Jail. During this call, officers from the Lawton Police Department observed him displaying an AK47-style pistol and making gang signs. As he was underage according to Oklahoma state law for legally carrying a firearm, detectives obtained a search warrant for his residence.
Upon executing the warrant, law enforcement discovered five firearms in Dearing's bedroom. Among these was a privately manufactured firearm lacking a serial number. All firearms were loaded and equipped with high-capacity magazines. Officers also seized a machinegun conversion device (MCD), which can convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic machineguns. Additionally, approximately 92 fentanyl pills were found at the residence.
Dearing admitted to unlawfully possessing a machinegun during his guilty plea on February 11, 2025. He now faces up to ten years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000 upon sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Lawton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly is prosecuting the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement and communities nationwide. It is also part of "Project Switch Off," specific to the Western District of Oklahoma's implementation of PSN that targets illegal machinegun conversion devices due to their potential danger.
For further details about PSN and related initiatives, more information can be accessed through https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.