Tahlequah man sentenced for federal firearm crime

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that a Tahlequah man was sentenced to 7.6 years for one count of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Charges against Heath Tyler Bryan, 34, arose after a probe by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to reports, troopers discovered that Bryan possessed a loaded .38 special revolver and one round of ammunition Jan. 1, 2024. He possessed the firearm and ammunition knowing he was previously convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.

Bryan pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition May 15, 2024.

Honorable Judge Ronald A. White presided over the hearing and Bryan will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence.

Assistant United States Attorneys Edith Singer and Rachel Geizura prosecuted the case.