TULSA, Okla. – Another career criminal is off the streets of Oklahoma, thanks to a joint operation that exposed a two-year methamphetamine distribution network. Richard Joseph Schweiger, 50, of Sapulpa, received a brutal 262-month sentence – 21 years and 10 months – in federal prison today, following a conviction on charges of Drug Conspiracy and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced the sentencing, a clear message that Oklahoma will not tolerate repeat offenders peddling poison and packing heat.
The bust went down in October 2023 when Schweiger attempted to sell a firearm to an undercover Creek County deputy. Knowing full well Schweiger’s checkered past – a record riddled with 17 prior felony convictions across Louisiana and Oklahoma spanning 25 years – the deputy played along. When deputies moved in to arrest him, Schweiger didn’t hesitate. He yanked the firearm from his waistband and tossed it aside, a pathetic attempt to distance himself from the evidence. It didn’t work.
But the gun was just the tip of the iceberg. A deep dive into Schweiger’s social media revealed a staggering 50,000 pages of messages – a digital paper trail detailing over two years of consistent methamphetamine distribution throughout Creek County. In his plea agreement, Schweiger finally admitted to conspiring with others to flood the area with the highly addictive drug. This wasn’t a one-off deal; it was a sustained criminal enterprise.
U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi, Jr. didn’t mince words, delivering the maximum sentence to Schweiger. Beyond the 262 months of imprisonment, Schweiger will also face five years of supervised release upon his eventual release. He’s already in custody, awaiting transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, where he’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his choices. This sentence isn’t just about locking up a dealer; it’s about disrupting a network and sending a message to others who think they can profit from misery.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Creek County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Flesher, Nathan Michel, and Christopher Nassar skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on digital evidence and undercover work. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN in 2021, prioritizing community trust, violence prevention, and strategic enforcement.
For those interested in learning more about Project Safe Neighborhoods and its efforts to build safer communities, visit Justice.gov/PSN. Schweiger’s case serves as a stark reminder: in Oklahoma, dealing drugs and illegally possessing firearms comes with a steep price. And for repeat offenders like Schweiger, that price is measured in decades.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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