Ralph Gene Carloss, Firearm Possession, Oklahoma 2023

MUSKOGEE, OK – Ralph Gene Carloss, 71, of Welling, Oklahoma, is facing federal sentencing after admitting he illegally possessed a rifle and ammunition. Carloss pleaded guilty last week to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a charge stemming from an April investigation.

According to court documents, on April 11th, authorities discovered Carloss in possession of a 7.62×39 mm Norinco SKS rifle along with 16 rounds of ammunition. The firearm and ammo had crossed state lines, placing the case under federal jurisdiction. Crucially, Carloss already had a prior felony conviction on his record – a conviction for a crime punishable by more than a year in prison – and was knowingly in violation of federal law.

The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office flagged the initial concerns, then brought in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to build the case. Details of what initially drew law enforcement attention to Carloss remain scarce, but the evidence quickly pointed to a clear violation of federal firearms regulations.

Federal law strictly prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms. The reasoning is simple: those with a history of serious criminal behavior are deemed a heightened risk to public safety. Carloss’s guilty plea acknowledges he understood this risk and still chose to possess the weapon and ammunition.

U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Edward Snow accepted the plea in Muskogee and has ordered a presentence investigation report to be compiled. This report will provide Judge Snow with a comprehensive overview of Carloss’s background, criminal history, and other relevant factors to consider when determining an appropriate sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Cameron McEwen is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. While a sentencing date has not yet been announced, Carloss now faces potential imprisonment and significant fines for his actions. The Dallas Field Division of the ATF played a key role in securing the conviction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma continues to aggressively pursue individuals who illegally possess firearms, threatening the safety of Oklahoma communities.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

Lawanna Renee Pogue, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Oklahoma 2023

Apr 30, 2024

Weapons

Shaiquan Moran-Stenson, Ammo Possession, Maine 2023

Apr 9, 2026

Weapons

Rustam Yusupov, Ammunition Stockpiling, Washington 2023

Feb 2, 2023

Weapons

Agha Muhammad Khan Durrani, Arms Export Control Act Violation, New York 2024

Feb 1, 2017