Six locals sentenced for federal firearm crimes

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that six Tahlequah residents were sentenced on federal firearm charges.

Eduardo Garcia, 55, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty to the charge on May 18, 2023.

Eric Lopez, 46, Eric Jesus Lopez, 28, Savanna Jade Lopez, 28, and Christian Lopez, 27, pleaded guilty to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm and were sentenced to probation for five years. Francisco Hernandez, 25, pleaded guilty to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm and was sentenced to probation for four years.

Charges arose after a probe by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to reports, ATF agents discovered Garcia in possession four firearms, 19 empty gun boxes for manufactured firearms, and over 2,900 rounds of ammunition, which were all shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce on Nov. 2, 2022. Garcia was a convicted felon at the time.

Between October 2021 and October 2022, Eric Lopez, Eric Jesus Lopez, Savanna Jade Lopez, Christian Lopez, and Hernandez purchased 107 firearms from licensed retailers in Tahlequah and Muskogee. The defendants claimed, on a Department of Justice ATF form, that they were the actual buyers of the firearms when they were actually purchasing the firearms for Garcia, who was unable to as he was a convicted felon.

"Enforcing federal firearm regulations is a crucial part of protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and ensuring public safety," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. "Felons like Mr. Garcia and others who would otherwise not be able to legitimately purchase or possess firearms often look for buyers with no previous criminal history to act as straw purchasers on their behalf. Garcia and his co-defendants attempted to thwart the safeguards and are being held accountable for their acts."

Honorable Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach presided over the hearing and Garcia will remain out of custody pending assignment to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Erin Cornell prosecuted the case.