OKLAHOMA CITY – A Lawton man is facing serious time after admitting to illegally possessing both firearms and explosives. PHILIP JAMES HEATH, 51, pleaded guilty today to federal charges stemming from a January 2019 domestic disturbance call that uncovered a disturbing cache of weapons.
The trouble began on January 30, 2019, when Lawton Police responded to a 911 call reporting a threat. A woman claiming HEATH pointed a gun at her and made threats against her led officers to his apartment. What they found wasn’t just one gun, but a potential arsenal. Officers immediately spotted the stock of a rifle visible between a mattress and box springs. A search revealed three pistols and two rifles within the residence.
The discovery triggered an immediate and massive response. With the potential for a serious threat, numerous FBI personnel were dispatched to assess the situation and secure the area. It wasn’t just the guns that raised alarms. Investigators also discovered two lengths of detonating cord, classifying the situation as involving illegal explosives. A federal grand jury indictment followed in April, seeking forfeiture of the five firearms, 1,404 rounds of ammunition, and the detonating cord.
HEATH’s guilty plea covers both the illegal possession of firearms – a felony given his prior criminal history – and the possession of the dangerous explosives. He has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since early March, awaiting the outcome of the investigation and legal proceedings. The feds aren’t messing around with this one.
At sentencing, which is slated to occur in approximately ninety days, HEATH faces a potential penalty of ten years in prison on each count, totaling a maximum of twenty years. He also risks a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release following his incarceration. This isn’t just about the guns and explosives; it’s about the danger posed to the public, and the courts will reflect that.
This case is the result of a collaborative investigation by the Lawton Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI Oklahoma City Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Hale and Travis D. Smith are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime by targeting the most dangerous offenders and bolstering local prevention programs. The full details of the case can be found in public court filings.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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