A Sequoyah County man has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced. Joseph C. Riddle, 35, of Muldrow, received an 18-month sentence for one count of felon in possession of ammunition and another 18-month sentence for one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The court ordered the terms to run concurrently, for a total of 18 months in prison.

Riddle pleaded guilty to the charges on May 5. Investigators said that between January and August 2024, Riddle knowingly possessed multiple firearms—including a pump action rifle, a pump action shotgun, and a bolt action rifle—along with 15 rounds of ammunition, despite having a prior felony conviction. Authorities also determined that on Jan. 6, 2025, Riddle was again in possession of 20 rounds of ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office. Pros- ecutors said the charges fall under Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting violent crime, drug trafficking organizations, and illegal firearms possession.

The Honorable John F. Heil III, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the case. Riddle remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is transferred to a federal prison to serve his nonparoleable sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jonathan E. Soverly prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government.