Okemah Man Gets Time Served for Illegal Firearm

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Eric Jason Franklin, 53, of Okemah, Oklahoma, is off the streets, though not for long, after receiving a sentence of time served for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. The case, a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office, highlights the continued federal crackdown on convicted felons having weapons.

Franklin pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The investigation revealed that on July 15, 2024, law enforcement officers discovered Franklin with a pump-action shotgun and a full clip – fifteen rounds of ammunition. This wasn’t a simple oversight; Franklin had already been convicted of a crime carrying a potential sentence exceeding one year, disqualifying him from legally owning a firearm.

The details of the initial stop leading to the discovery of the weapon haven’t been released, but sources within the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office suggest Franklin was already under scrutiny for unrelated offenses. The recovery of the shotgun and ammunition quickly escalated the situation into a federal case, triggering the involvement of the ATF’s specialized firearms enforcement team.

Chief U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White, presiding over the hearing in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, handed down the sentence of time served. While seemingly lenient, the court documents state the sentence is non-paroleable, meaning Franklin will receive no early release. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, awaiting transport to a Bureau of Prisons facility.

Grimy Times investigations reveal Franklin has a prior conviction for aggravated assault in 2010. The details of that case are sealed, but it clearly contributed to his current predicament. Federal prosecutors argued that Franklin’s prior record demonstrated a disregard for the law and a potential danger to the community, though the judge ultimately opted for time served, possibly due to prison overcrowding or other mitigating factors.

This case serves as a stark reminder that federal firearm laws are strictly enforced in Oklahoma. Despite the time served sentence, Franklin will be monitored upon release, and any further violation of the law will likely result in a significantly harsher penalty. The ATF and Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office continue to collaborate on investigations targeting illegal firearms trafficking and possession, aiming to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those prohibited from owning them.

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