A felon and known gang member previously convicted of multiple drug and larceny crimes pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for illegally possessing firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Ricky Laron Shannon, 34, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In a blind plea Shannon admitted that on June 11, 2021, he possessed a Glock 30 .45 caliber pistol and 28 rounds of associated ammunition. He further admitted that on Aug.13, 2021, he possessed a different Glock 30 and 28 rounds of ammunition.
The first count stems from a traffic stop on June 11, 2021. According to an initial criminal complaint and affidavit filed in the case, Tulsa Police officers observed Shannon commit several traffic violations. Officers then pulled behind his vehicle and activated lights and sirens. The defendant continued forward slowly but did not initially yield to law enforcement. An officer observed Shannon make distinct reaching movements with his right hand toward the passenger’s side of the vehicle. He also noted that an object appeared to be in the defendant’s hand as he continued to drive forward slowly but erratically. Based on training and experience, the officer suspected the defendant might be trying to hide something before coming to a stop. Officers also noted Shannon was a felon and certified 107 Hoover gang member. During the stop, officers recovered a Glock 30 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with a high capacity magazine.
Later on Aug. 13, 2021, Shannon was contacted by authorities and arrested based on a federal warrant stemming from his June 11, 2021 traffic stop. Officers found a different Glock 30 underneath the driver’s seat of the car along with a high capacity magazine and 28 rounds of ammunition. The firearm was both magazine and chamber loaded.
The Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark R. Morgan and John E. Brasher are prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the 2150 Initiative. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Tulsa Police Department, ATF, and all other local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement partners to combat violent crime by focusing efforts on prohibited persons in possession of firearms as well as those responsible as the “source” of the firearms to prohibited persons. The initiative was named in memory of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson. Sgt. Johnson’s badge number, 2150, was selected for the initiative as a way to honor his life and his commitment to the Tulsa community.
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