A Valliant man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge. Dale Warren Gribnitz, age 66, of Valliant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.00. The charge arose from an investigation by the Valliant Police Department, the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office, the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Indictment charged Gribnitz with knowingly possessing a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun on October 20, 2024, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. The charge stems from his prior conviction, which has yet to be disclosed publicly. Gribnitz will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Gribnitz’s case has garnered attention from law enforcement officials, who stress the importance of keeping firearms out of the hands of felons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Soverly represented the United States in the case.
The case against Gribnitz serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that come with violating federal firearms laws. Gribnitz’s guilty plea has brought an end to the long and arduous process of litigation, but the road to sentencing is far from over.
The investigation into Gribnitz’s possession of the firearm was a collaborative effort between several law enforcement agencies, including the Valliant Police Department, the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office, the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in the pursuit of justice.
Gribnitz’s sentencing is set to take place in the coming weeks, where a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed. Until then, Gribnitz will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
Related Federal Cases
- Kiah John Pritchett, Involuntary Manslaughter and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Oklahoma 2021 · Oklahoma
- Danny Ray Gordon, III, Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, Oklahoma 2024 · Oklahoma
- Adam Alshekhly, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, Oklahoma 2024 · Oklahoma
- Adam Alshekhly, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, Oklahoma 2024 · Oklahoma
- Laura Gema Carroll, Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, Oklahoma 2024 · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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