Muskogee Felon Faces Decade in Prison for Firearm Smuggling

STEVEN ALEX HUGHART, a 38-year-old resident of Muskogee, Oklahoma, has been hit with a stunning reversal of fortune after pleading guilty to serious firearms violations. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Hughart admitted to being a felon in possession of a firearm and altering its serial number.

The offense stems from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which revealed Hughart’s illegal activities on February 13, 2014. According to the charges, Hughart knowingly possessed a .380 Jimenez Arms handgun with an obliterated serial number, transported across state lines.

Hughart was indicted in September 2014 for violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 922(k), as well as Section 924(a)(1)(B). Sentencing is pending after a presentence report is completed. The judge, Kimberly E. West, has ordered that Hughart remain in custody until sentencing is finalized.

The judge’s order reflects the serious nature of the offense, with a statutory punishment range of up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States during the proceedings.

Hughart’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the stringent laws against firearm violations and the consequences faced by those who disregard them. The Muskogee community, along with federal authorities, are taking this case seriously to uphold justice and deter future illegal activities.