Stilwell Man Gets Probation for Stolen Rifle

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Robey Lee Butler, 36, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, will spend the next three years under federal supervision after admitting to possessing a firearm snatched from another town. Butler was sentenced to three years’ probation this week for one count of Possession of Stolen Firearm, a charge stemming from a months-long investigation.

The case began to unravel last November, when law enforcement discovered Butler in possession of a semi-automatic rifle. It wasn’t just any rifle; investigators quickly traced it back to a burglary in McCurtain, Oklahoma, located in neighboring LeFlore County. The gun hadn’t even been reported missing for long when Butler was found with it, raising immediate red flags.

Federal agents with the FBI, along with officers from the Sallisaw Police Department and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, collaborated on the investigation. Details of how Butler acquired the weapon remain murky, but the evidence was enough to secure a guilty plea on January 13, 2025. Butler admitted to knowingly possessing property that he *knew* was stolen – a key element in the charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. While the sentence isn’t a lengthy prison term, three years of probation is no walk in the park. Violations could land Butler behind bars, and he’ll be subject to regular check-ins and restrictions.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarrod A. Leaman, Lewis M. Reagan, and a team of federal prosecutors built the case against Butler, demonstrating a commitment to tracking down stolen weapons and holding those responsible accountable. This case serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor firearm offenses can carry serious federal penalties.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal crime cases in Oklahoma and beyond. We’ll be watching to see if this conviction leads to further investigations into the source of the stolen firearm and any potential co-conspirators. The streets are full of stolen goods, and law enforcement is working overtime to keep them off the black market.