Tahlequah Woman Gets 15 Months for Illegal Gun

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Laura Gema Carroll, 36, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, will spend the next 15 months behind bars after being sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, closing a case that underscores the ongoing federal crackdown on armed criminals.

Carroll pleaded guilty on March 19, 2025, to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The charge stemmed from an investigation launched by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Tahlequah Police Department. Investigators determined that on June 12, 2024, Carroll was found to be in possession of a semi-automatic pistol and five rounds of ammunition – a clear violation of federal law given her prior criminal history.

The specifics of Carroll’s prior conviction weren’t immediately released, but authorities confirmed it was for a crime carrying a potential sentence of more than one year in prison, disqualifying her from legally owning a firearm. The discovery of the pistol and ammunition triggered the federal investigation, highlighting the dangers posed when convicted felons gain access to weapons.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Gross and T. Cameron McEwen successfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that led to Carroll’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing. This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the nation.

PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting local organizations working to prevent violence, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously tracking results. The program, strengthened in May 2021, represents a sustained effort to address the root causes of crime while simultaneously holding offenders accountable. The feds are determined to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.

This case serves as a stark reminder that federal authorities are actively pursuing and prosecuting individuals who violate firearms laws. The 15-month sentence handed down to Carroll sends a message that possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon will not be tolerated in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, or anywhere else in the United States. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat gun violence.

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