Sequoyah Man Gets 18 Months for Felon Firearm Possession

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The grim reality of America’s illegal firearms crisis hit close to home when Joseph Charles Riddle, 35, of Muldrow, was sentenced to a stunning 36 months behind bars. Riddle’s fall from grace began with his conviction on two counts of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition.

The charges stem from an intensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities alleged that between January 17, 2024, and August 2024, Riddle brazenly possessed a pump action rifle, a shotgun, and a bolt action rifle, in addition to 15 rounds of ammunition—despite his prior conviction for a crime with a punishment exceeding one year.

But the horror didn’t stop there. On January 6, 2025, Riddle again stepped over the line, this time with possession of 20 additional rounds of ammunition. The court’s decision to serve these sentences concurrently means Riddle will spend a total of three years behind bars without parole.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an aggressive nationwide effort led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) aimed at stamping out illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime. The initiative leverages resources from OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood to streamline efforts in the fight against organized crime.

U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, oversaw Riddle’s sentencing hearing in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Riddle will remain under U.S. Marshals Service custody until transportation to a federal prison facility for his sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States in this case.

Riddle’s conviction and sentence serve as a stark reminder of the dangerous consequences of illegal firearm possession and the unwavering dedication of law enforcement to protect our communities.

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