Richard Dale Henry Found Guilty of Felon Firearm Possession

Richard Dale Henry, 62, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury on November 14, 2016, on charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a conviction that could land him behind bars for life under federal sentencing enhancements.

The verdict, delivered the same day trial testimony began in Muskogee, Oklahoma, stems from Henry’s sale of an AK-47 style rifle, five high-capacity magazines, and a nylon case to Jo’s Pawn in Broken Bow on or around December 23, 2013. The firearm had crossed state lines, placing the act under federal jurisdiction.

Henry, already a convicted murderer with prior felony convictions for First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and Sales of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, falls under the Armed Career Criminal Act. If the court applies the enhancement, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000. Without it, the statutory range remains up to 10 years imprisonment or a $250,000 fine.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma proved at trial that Henry knowingly possessed the weapon despite being barred from firearm ownership due to his criminal history—a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e)(1).

The investigation was led by the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Burris handled the prosecution, securing the conviction after a swift trial that underscored the federal crackdown on repeat violent offenders armed with military-style weapons.

U.S. District Judge James H. Payne presided over the proceedings and ordered a presentence investigation report before sentencing, which will be scheduled upon its completion. Henry remains in custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, awaiting final judgment in a case that highlights the lethal risks of arming America’s most dangerous felons.