Local Man Charged with Firearms Lie and Purchase

A Wellston man has been charged with lying on a federal ATF record to purchase a firearm from a licensed gun dealer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

Brandon Allen McNeill, 40, of Wellston, pleaded guilty to making a false statement on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) firearms transaction record when purchasing a firearm.

The incident occurred on January 8, 2021, when McNeill entered a federally licensed firearm dealer to purchase a firearm. During the process, he made a false and fictitious written statement on a federal ATF firearms transaction record indicating that he had not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, when in fact, he had been convicted of such an offense in 2019.

Federal law prohibits a person who has previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm. McNeill was found in possession of the firearm on January 14, 2021.

At today's hearing, McNeill pleaded guilty to making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm. At sentencing, he faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. As part of his plea agreement, the government will dismiss at sentencing the second count, charging him with illegally possessing the firearm after a domestic violence conviction.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan West.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiatives to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Respondent: Brandon Allen McNeill, Real Full Name or Legal Entity Name, Criminal Charges: making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm, City and State: Wellston, Oklahoma, Exact Date: January 8, 2021, Sentence or Outcome: up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.