CLAREMORE, OK – James Kent Patrick Hill, 58, of Claremore, Oklahoma, will spend the next 25 years behind bars after being sentenced today in U.S. District Court for turning his home into a drug den, illegally stockpiling firearms, and then escalating things by threatening a law enforcement officer. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell, also includes three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Hill pleaded guilty on March 12, 2019, to charges stemming from a September 20, 2018, raid on his residence. Investigators discovered Hill was openly using and distributing a cocktail of controlled substances – methamphetamine, marijuana, alprazolam, and diazepam – right out of his Claremore home. The drug operation was compounded by the fact that Hill, a convicted felon, was also in possession of a staggering arsenal: 10 firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and pistols, along with over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
But the situation took a dangerous turn during his arrest. While being transported to the Rogers County Jail, Hill made a brazen attempt to disarm Corporal John Haning of the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office. Reaching for and nearly unholstering Corporal Haning’s firearm, Hill clearly intended to intimidate and silence potential witnesses – including Haning himself – who could testify against him in official proceedings. The attempted grab wasn’t just reckless; it was a calculated act of obstruction.
“James Hill will have 25 years to reflect on his crimes while he serves his sentence in prison,” stated U.S. Attorney Shores. “My team is focused on making northeastern Oklahoma neighborhoods safer by targeting drug and gun related crimes through Project Safe Neighborhoods. James Hill made a bad situation worse when he attempted to grab the service weapon of the deputy who had arrested him. Assaults on law enforcement officers and agents will be prosecuted by my office. If there is jurisdiction over the assault, then criminals should expect to meet a federal prosecutor.” Shores also emphasized the critical role of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the investigation.
Shores added, “I’m thankful the Rogers County Deputy in this case did not suffer serious injury or worse.” Hill was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to await processing on outstanding state charges. The case was a collaborative effort, with the Verdigris Police Department and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office working alongside federal agents to bring Hill to justice.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Morgan led the prosecution. The investigation underscores a clear message from federal authorities: those who combine drug trafficking with firearms and then threaten those sworn to uphold the law will face the full force of the legal system. Hill’s 25-year sentence serves as a stark warning to others operating outside the law in northeastern Oklahoma.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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