Leslie Ray Upchurch, Illegal Firearm Possession, Oklahoma 2023

Muskogee, OK – A McAlester resident is facing the consequences of a crime that put the community at risk. Leslie Ray Upchurch, age 35, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of federal law.

The Indictment alleged that on April 28, 2023, Upchurch, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed one Ruger 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol and several rounds of assorted 9mm Luger caliber ammunition.

The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.

Upchurch was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.

The case highlights the importance of enforcing federal laws related to firearms and the consequences of violating those laws. The community can expect to see a safer environment as a result of Upchurch’s guilty plea and the efforts of law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.

Defendant Information:

Defendant: Leslie Ray Upchurch

Criminal Charges: Illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of federal law

City and State: McAlester, Oklahoma

Exact Date: April 28, 2023

Sentence or Outcome: Remanded into custody pending sentencing

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