OKLAHOMA CITY – Jeremiah Alexander Dearing, 21, of Lawton, is facing a long stretch behind bars after being sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a machinegun conversion device. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced the sentence Friday, a grim reminder of the escalating gun violence plaguing the nation.
The case unfolded after a disturbing jailhouse conversation. On October 9, 2024, Dearing, while incarcerated at the Grady County Jail, participated in a recorded video call with a fellow inmate. Lawton Police Department (LPD) officers monitoring the call observed Dearing brazenly displaying an AK47-style pistol and flashing gang signs – a clear indication of his affiliations and disregard for the law. Because of his age, Dearing was already prohibited from legally possessing such a firearm under Oklahoma state law.
That single jailhouse call triggered a full-scale investigation. LPD detectives quickly secured a search warrant for Dearing’s Lawton residence. The subsequent raid revealed a disturbing arsenal. Five firearms were discovered in Dearing’s bedroom, all chamber-loaded and equipped with high-capacity magazines. Critically, one of the firearms was privately manufactured and lacked a serial number, making it untraceable. But the most dangerous discovery was a machinegun conversion device (MCD) – a component capable of turning a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun.
The haul didn’t stop there. Officers also seized approximately 92 fentanyl pills from the residence, adding a drug trafficking charge to the already serious firearms violations. On December 3, 2024, a federal Grand Jury formally charged Dearing with unlawful possession of a machinegun. Dearing subsequently pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025, admitting to possessing the illegal device.
At the sentencing hearing on August 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick handed down the 70-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Wyrick emphasized the significant public safety threat posed by Dearing’s actions and the necessity of upholding the law. This isn’t just about guns; it’s about a pattern of reckless behavior and criminal association.
This case is a product of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lawton Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly leading the prosecution. It’s also part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) and the local initiative, “Project Switch Off,” specifically targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices. The goal? To get these dangerous tools off the streets and protect our communities. More information on PSN can be found at https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok. Public filings contain further details.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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