Thomas Laverne Brown, Making a False Statement, Oklahoma 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Thomas Laverne Brown, 50, of Norman, Oklahoma, will spend nearly five years in federal prison after admitting he lied on paperwork when trying to purchase a gun. Brown was sentenced Monday to 57 months, followed by three years of supervised release, for a single count of making a false statement during an attempted firearm purchase.

The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), revealed a blatant disregard for federal law. Brown attempted to buy a firearm at a Norman pawn shop in July 2022, despite being actively under indictment for felony domestic assault and battery by strangulation in Cleveland County District Court – case number CF-2021-1139. Even more damning, a protective order, case number PO-2021-328, had been issued against him just months prior, effective through October 6, 2026.

Federal law is clear: a person under felony indictment or subject to a protective order is prohibited from receiving a firearm. Brown knowingly checked “no” on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) form when asked if he was under indictment or subject to such an order. This wasn’t a misunderstanding; it was a deliberate attempt to circumvent the law and arm himself despite a history of alleged domestic violence.

U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot, during the sentencing hearing, cited the seriousness of the offense and the need for general deterrence. The court’s decision highlights the importance of upholding federal firearms regulations and protecting potential victims of domestic abuse. While Brown initially faced a four-count indictment – including two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of firearms by a prohibited person – he pleaded guilty only to the false statement charge.

This case falls under “Operation 922,” a Western District of Oklahoma initiative designed to aggressively prosecute federal crimes linked to domestic violence as part of the Department of Justice’s broader Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wilson D. McGarry led the prosecution, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to tackling gun violence and holding offenders accountable.

Brown’s conviction serves as a stark warning: lying on federal firearm forms carries significant consequences. The ATF continues to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute individuals who attempt to illegally obtain firearms, putting both public safety and the integrity of the background check system at risk. Details of the case are available in public court filings.

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