Altus Man Lied to Buy Rifle, Faces Decade in Prison

OKLAHOMA CITY – Angel Luis Garcia-Navedo, 27, of Altus, Oklahoma, is facing serious time after a federal court found him guilty of deliberately deceiving a licensed firearms dealer to obtain a rifle. The conviction comes after a bench trial, with U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announcing the verdict earlier today. This isn’t just a paperwork issue; it’s a blatant attempt to arm himself while already facing the law.

The case originated with a two-count Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on August 16, 2023. Garcia-Navedo was charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and illegally receiving a firearm while under indictment. The bench trial on the false statement charge concluded on May 14, 2024, with the judge finding Garcia-Navedo guilty. The other charge was not addressed in this ruling.

Court records reveal Garcia-Navedo walked into an Altus federal firearm licensee (FFL) in April 2023, intending to buy a rifle. As required by law, he completed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473. This isn’t a simple form; it demands honest answers regarding a buyer’s background, including criminal history, drug use, and any history of domestic violence. Knowingly lying on this form is a federal crime, and Garcia-Navedo allegedly did just that.

Specifically, Garcia-Navedo checked a box on the ATF form stating he was not under indictment or facing charges for a felony or any crime carrying a potential sentence exceeding one year. However, public records tell a different story. At the time he completed the form, Garcia-Navedo was already charged with two felony offenses in Jackson County District Court. He actively concealed this information to illegally obtain the rifle, a move that could have had devastating consequences.

Now, Garcia-Navedo is staring down the barrel of a lengthy prison sentence. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a potential fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release after serving his time. This case is a stark reminder that lying to obtain a firearm carries serious repercussions. The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF and the Altus Police Department, demonstrating a collaborative push to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.

This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program focused on reducing violent crime. It’s also tied to “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s PSN implementation, which prioritizes cases involving domestic violence and firearm offenses. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle M. Connolly, Mary E. Walters, and Steven W. Creager are leading the prosecution. Further information about PSN can be found at https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok. Reference public filings for additional details.