Two Felons Sentenced for Possessing Firearms in Project Guardian Cases

Two felons were sentenced today in U.S. District Court for possessing firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

“Guns don’t belong in the hands of felons, domestic abusers, or other prohibited persons, period. Congress passed a law saying so, and it is my job to enforce that law,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Prosecuting offenders who violate firearms restrictions saves lives. We will continue the crucial work of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian to help protect the public from those who pose harm to our communities.”

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Morgan Tanner Prickett, 26, of Mannford, to 15 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Court further ordered the defendant to complete drug and domestic violence counseling. Prickett pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb.7, 2020.

On Oct. 21, 2019, Broken Arrow police officers were dispatched to a domestic violence incident. Prickett had vandalized a car but was subdued by the victim and her brother. When officers arrived, Morgan’s pick-up truck was in the roadway so officers inventoried the vehicle and towed it. During the inventory, officers discovered a LA Industrial Orbea Eibar Smith and Wesson revolver and six rounds of ammunition. Morgan is prohibited by federal law from owning a firearm since he has a previous felony conviction as well as a conviction for of domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor. The Broken Arrow Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni prosecuted the case.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan also sentenced Michael Jawan Lucas, 32, of Tulsa, to 37 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Officers with the Tulsa Police Department initiated a traffic stop after noticing Lucas ran a stop sign on Nov. 3, 2019. Lucas then ran two more stop signs before crashing into a tree. Upon exiting the vehicle, Lucas ran from police but was eventually arrested. Upon a search of his vehicle, officers found a Heckler & Koch .45 caliber pistol and associated ammunition. Lucas was previously convicted of three other offenses, including use of interstate communication facility in the commission of murder for hire and aiding and abetting in 2012. Because of these felony convictions, Lucas is prohibited from owning a firearm. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan prosecuted the case.

These prosecutions are part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian initiative. Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Justice Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.