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United States of America v. Christopher John Murchison
Date: 12-23-2024
Case Number: 24-CR-101
Judge: Monte C. Richardson
Court: The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Deval County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Jacksonville, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
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Jacksonville, Florida criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Firearms Trafficking Scheme
Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty In Firearms Trafficking Scheme
Christopher John Murchison (52, Oklahoma) pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements in records required to be maintained by a licensed firearms dealer.
Murchison, along with Michael Sawyer and Randolph Swindle, aided and abetted each other to illegally acquire and traffic approximately 177 firearms, which were subsequently sold on the streets for profit. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating the firearm trafficking operation after several firearms were recovered in connection with international crimes in Puerto Rico and Colombia. The investigation revealed a sophisticated scheme involving Sawyer purchasing firearms online and shipping them to Swindle, a federal firearms licensee in Bunnell, Florida.
Once the firearms arrived, Sawyer prefilled ATF Form 4473s using his own name, as well as the names of his mother and a friend. These falsified forms were then handed to Murchison, who used them to retrieve the firearms from Swindle. Murchison subsequently rebuilt the firearms into assault-rifle-style pistols, which were then handed back to Sawyer for resale on the street. Between July 2021 and February 2022, the group purchased, modified, and trafficked approximately 177 firearms. Many of these firearms have been recovered in connection with crimes both nationally and internationally.
All individuals involved in the scheme have been arrested and have pleaded guilty in federal court. Swindle and Sawyer each pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in records required by a licensed firearms dealer. They face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kirwinn Mike.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Murchison faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Christopher John Murchison?
The outcome was: Murchison faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
Which court heard United States of America v. Christopher John Murchison?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Deval County), FL. The presiding judge was Monte C. Richardson.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Christopher John Murchison?
Plaintiff's attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Jacksonville, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Directoryfont >.
When was United States of America v. Christopher John Murchison decided?
This case was decided on December 23, 2024.