OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, JORI NICHOLAS FRANKLIN, 27, of Midwest City, was sentenced to serve 20 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On April 20, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment against Franklin. Specifically, Counts 1 and 2 charged Franklin with Felon in Possession of Firearms. On June 3, 2021, Franklin pleaded guilty to both counts of the Indictment. Public records show that Franklin had prior felony convictions before April 20, 2021. These convictions include Child Neglect in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma case number CF-2015-751 and Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma case number CF-2017-3808. Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition by convicted felons.
On February 24, 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Franklin to serve a total of 240 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In support of his sentence, Judge Wyrick cited the nature and circumstances of the offense, as well Franklin’s criminal history. Judge Wyrick also ordered Franklin to serve three years of supervised release, upon release from prison.
Evidence presented at sentencing showed that on March 3, 2021, Franklin was arrested in possession of a firearm that he had used in connection with the confinement and domestic abuse of his girlfriend. Evidence further showed that Franklin used the firearm to hold his girlfriend inside of a residence against her will. During that confinement, Franklin used the firearm to pistol whip, physically assault, and threaten his girlfriend, causing her to sustain serious bodily injuries requiring hospitalization.
This case was the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Oklahoma City Police Department, and Midwest City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsie Pratt prosecuted the case.
This case is part of “Operation 922,” which specifically targets domestic violence abusers for federal prosecution in western Oklahoma. Operation 922 is the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Operation 922 prioritizes prosecution of federal gun crimes related to domestic violence.
Reference is made to public filings for more information.