OKLAHOMA CITY – Tory Drew Deere, 29, of Oklahoma City, will spend the next 7 years and 8 months behind bars after being sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm, federal prosecutors announced Friday. The sentence comes after a harrowing incident where Deere allegedly threatened a victim with a gun during a domestic dispute.
On November 18, 2022, Oklahoma City Police responded to a convenience store following reports of a domestic violence incident. According to court records, Deere allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim, threatening to kill her, before fleeing the scene in her car. Officers quickly located Deere nearby, still in possession of the weapon. The timing of the offense is particularly troubling; Deere had been released from Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) custody just one day prior, under the supervision of a GPS ankle monitor.
This wasn’t Deere’s first brush with the law. The 29-year-old boasts a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for second-degree burglary (Oklahoma County CF-2010-6136), illegal possession of a firearm (Oklahoma County CF-2021-3656), and driving under the influence coupled with drug charges (Oklahoma County CF-2019-1074). The pattern of re-offending clearly factored into U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot’s decision.
Deere pleaded guilty to the charge of felon in possession of a firearm on April 19, 2023. At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Friot specifically cited Deere’s dangerous behavior – brandishing a firearm at a significant other immediately after release from DOC custody – and his extensive criminal history as key reasons for the 92-month sentence. The judge made it clear that this wasn’t simply a case of possessing an illegal weapon, but a dangerous escalation of violent behavior.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters prosecuted the case. This case falls under the umbrella of “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s participation in the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which aims to reduce gun violence. It’s also part of “Operation Shots Fired,” targeting individuals who use firearms during criminal activity.
“Operation 922” specifically prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes linked to domestic violence. This case serves as a stark reminder that those with prior felony convictions who illegally possess firearms, particularly when coupled with violent acts, will face significant federal penalties. Details of the case can be found in court filings.
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