Chickasha Man Sentenced To Serve a Decade in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, James Landon McCullough, 39, of Chickasha, Oklahoma, was sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison, the statutory maximum, for illegally possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On July 21, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against McCullough, charging him with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On December 5, 2022, McCullough pleaded guilty to the one-count indictment and admitted to possessing a 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number after a prior felony conviction.
According to public records, on June 16, 2022, law enforcement encountered McCullough during an undercover commercial sex work investigation at an Oklahoma City metro motel. During the investigation, McCullough watched from a nearby balcony as authorities arrested an individual for engaging in commercial sex work. McCullough approached the room where law enforcement had taken the commercial sex worker into custody. He was armed with a firearm at the time and admitted to being a felon.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced McCullough to serve 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Palk noted McCullough’s lengthy criminal history, including his history involving domestic violence.
Public records reflect McCullough holds multiple felony convictions. These convictions include burglary in the second degree and domestic assault and battery in Oklahoma County case numbers CF-2014-6247 and CF-2014-6255; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine base, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a child under 12 years of age in Oklahoma County case number CF-2003-2678; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine base, in Oklahoma County case number CF-2010-230; and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine, in Oklahoma County case number CF-2010-138. McCullough also holds a misdemeanor domestic assault and battery in Oklahoma County case number CM-2012-1096.
This case is the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters, the case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. In October 2017, the Department announced the reinvigoration of Project Safe Neighborhoods and directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop crime-reduction strategies that incorporate lessons federal law enforcement has learned since the program’s launch in 2001.
This case is also part of “Operation 922.” Operation 922 is the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. “Operation 922” prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.
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