Nicois Megale Smith, a 40-year-old resident of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm following a previous felony conviction, as announced by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
In 2023, a federal grand jury charged Nicois with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. His father, Albert Smith, Jr., aged 62, was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. On June 10, 2024, Albert Smith pleaded guilty to the charge, admitting he was in possession of a pistol he believed to be stolen. A jury found Nicois guilty on one of his charges two days later, on June 12, 2024.
The case against Nicois was building since May 21, 2023, when Oklahoma City Police officers searched his home during an investigation related to an unrelated crime near his residence. The search led to the discovery of a loaded pistol in Nicois's bedroom.
Both Nicois and Albert have extensive criminal records in the Oklahoma County District Court. Nicois's record includes charges such as possession of a controlled dangerous substance, burglary, and felon in possession of a firearm, among others. Albert's previous convictions include several other felony charges.
At a sentencing hearing on March 24, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Nicois to 84 months in federal prison with an additional three years of supervised release. Albert was earlier sentenced to the same term on October 31, 2024.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Oklahoma City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Gridley, Elizabeth M. Bagwell, and Travis Leverett prosecuted the case.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime.
More information is available in public filings.