United States of America v. Derrick Carl Andrew Chatman

Tulsa, Oklahoma, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with illegal possession of a machinegun.

Derrick Carl Andrew Chatman, 25, of Broken Arrow, converted in semi-automatic weapon turning it into a machinegun at a Tulsa gun show in 2025.

In July 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was contacted by the Tulsa Police Department about recovering a firearm with an attached machinegun conversion device commonly known as a “switch.” A parent found the gun and ammunition in their juvenile’s bedroom. With the parents’ permission, the juvenile spoke with law enforcement and disclosed that he purchased the firearm at a gun show at the fairgrounds. While at the gun show, the juvenile met a man who sold and installed a switch.

When law enforcement searched Chatman’s home, they found a firearm, several rounds of ammunition, and a box with a shipping label from China that contained firearm switches. During the investigation, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol intercepted a second package addressed to Chatman from China that contained an additional 15 machine gun conversion devices.

State court records show that Chatman was charged in July 2024 with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and other crimes. Shortly after being charged, Chatman pleaded guilty, was sentenced, and was under the State's supervision when federally indicted.

Chatman will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The ATF, the Tulsa Police Department, and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly is prosecuting the case.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release.