Devon Ray Gillispie, a 33-year-old resident of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 77 months in prison, following his conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge stemmed from a collaborative investigation involving the Sallisaw Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Investigations revealed that on January 31, 2022, officers found Gillispie with 42 rounds of ammunition. This was despite his previous conviction for a crime that carried a sentence of more than a year in prison.
"On October 15, 2024, Gillispie pleaded guilty to the charge," according to the details shared by the investigators.
Gillispie's case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by engaging all levels of law enforcement with communities. On May 26, 2021, the department enhanced the program's crime reduction strategy, which focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and evaluating outcomes.
The sentencing hearing was conducted by the Honorable Ronald A. White, the Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Following his sentencing, Gillispie will be in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is transferred to a designated federal prison to serve his non-paroleable sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly.