Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, CORNELL WINSOR PITTS-GREEN, 41, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve more than 15 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in illegal possession of firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On July 7, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a one-count Indictment against Pitts-Green, charging him with being a convicted felon in illegal possession of firearms.  On October 2, 2020, Pitts-Green pleaded guilty to the Indictment.

Public records reflect that, on March 8, 2020, Oklahoma City Police officers were dispatched to a church in Oklahoma City in regards to a domestic disturbance.  A church member reported that a female had ran to the church and told members of the church that her boyfriend had harmed her.  The church members shielded the female from Pitts-Green when he came to the church to find her.  Based on the female’s statements, law enforcement discovered a .22 caliber revolver and a .380 auto caliber semi-automatic pistol in Pitts-Green’s residence. 

Federal law prohibits prior convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition.  Prior to his arrest, Pitts-Green had been convicted of several felonies out of Garfield and Payne Counties, including Assault and Battery, Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation, and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Distribute. 

Today, U.S. District Chief Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Pitts-Green to serve 188 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  In announcing the sentence, Chief Judge DeGiusti noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, including Pitts-Green’s criminal history.  Pitts-Green has pending charges in a connected case in Oklahoma County including Domestic Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Kidnapping, and Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation.

This case is the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Bow Bottomly prosecuted the case.

This case is part of "Operation 922," the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of the national Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  "Operation 922" prioritizes prosecution of federal gun crimes connected to domestic violence.

Reference is made to public filings for more information.