Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

A man who attempted to illegally purchase a gun by lying on a federal firearms transaction form was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Zackery James Childress, 24, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, to five years of probation with the first 8 months to be served on home confinement.

Previously, Childress pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a firearms dealer. In his plea agreement, the defendant admitted that on Sept. 3, 2019, he tried to buy a firearm at a pawn shop in Osage County and lied on the ATF Form 4473, where he indicated that he had never been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. In fact, Childress knew he had been convicted of assault and battery of a pregnant woman on May 1, 2018.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Buscemi and Michael Harder prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the 2150 Initiative. The initiative focuses law enforcement efforts on criminals who use guns during crimes, individuals who lie on federal firearms transaction forms, and straw purchasers who acquire firearms for prohibited persons. The initiative was named in memory of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson. Sgt. Johnson’s badge number, 2150, was selected as a way to honor his life and service. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.