Oklahoma City Man Faces Federal Charges Following Deadly Shootout with Law Enforcement

OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal superseding indictment has been filed, charging BENJAMIN HARRISON PLANK, 38, of Oklahoma City, with multiple federal offenses arising from a deadly shootout and high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to carry out their duties and serve our community,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Any attack on them will not be tolerated, and the Justice Department will work tirelessly with its partners to hold the individual accountable to the fullest extent.”

According to a federal criminal complaint and supporting affidavit, on August 22, 2022, three deputies with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office went to an Oklahoma County residence to evict Plank pursuant to a court order. When they arrived, Plank refused to exit the residence and the deputies prepared to make a lawful forced entry. Before they could enter, Plank fired multiple rounds from an AR-15-style rifle from inside the residence, killing one deputy at the scene. Plank then exited the residence and shot another deputy multiple times. That deputy survived the injuries. Plank also exchanged gunfire with the third deputy.

Court records further reflect that following the initial shootout, Plank loaded a backpack containing firearms and drug paraphernalia into a boat mounted on a trailer attached to his truck and fled the scene. A dangerous high-speed pursuit ensued, during which Plank continued to fire at law enforcement officers, including officers assisting the United States Marshals Service. The pursuit ended outside Tinker Air Force Base after Plank was observed throwing the rifle from the driver’s-side window of the truck. He was arrested shortly thereafter.

On June 16, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a seven-count superseding indictment charging Plank with two counts of prohibited person in possession of firearms, two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon, two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of attempted murder of certain officers.

If convicted of all charges, Plank faces no less than ten years and up to life in federal prison and fines of up to $1,750,000.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that Plank is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Hutzell is prosecuting the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

ATF Offers Reward in Great Northern Pawn Burglary

Bozeman, Mont. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Denver Field Division, in conjunction with the Bozeman Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the burglary of Great Northern Pawn.

The burglary occurred on March 2 at 5:03 a.m. at Great Northern Pawn, located at 1012 N. 7th Ave. Bozeman, Montana. The suspect entered through a window, cut a cable lock and stole multiple firearms. The suspect shown is wearing a gray hoodie, dark pants, light blue underpants with a face mask. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Bozeman Police Department and the ATF Denver Field Division, Billings Field Office.

Anyone with information about this burglary should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or the Bozeman Police Department at 406-582-2000. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

ATF regulates the firearm industry and is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and explosions. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

York Man Who Impersonated A Deputy U.S. Marshal Sentenced To Over Three Years In Prison

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaimie Lynn Cummings, age 52, of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on December 2, 2025, to 40 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Kelli N. Neary for impersonating an officer of the United States and a firearms offense.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Cummings was sentenced for falsely impersonating a Deputy U.S. Marshal and illegal possession of a short-barreled firearm. Cummings previously pleaded guilty those charges.  The charges arose from a September 20, 2023, incident where Cummings appeared at the Northern York Regional Police Department wearing what purported to be a U.S. Marshal badge, tactical gear, tactical clothing, and a firearm.  After representing himself to police as a deputy U.S. Marshal, local law enforcement recognized that he was not a law enforcement officer. Cummings left the police station but was later stopped by police.  Police found in his car and in his home an assortment of firearms, ammunition, and rifles less than sixteen inches in length. Cummings possessed the short-barreled rifles illegally. 

When imposing sentence, Judge Neary noted Cummings’s criminal history, his personal circumstances, and the seriousness of the conduct.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Northern York Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.

FORMER LEON COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF PLEADS GUILTY TO UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF AN UNREGISTERED MACHINEGUN

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Bill Ed Culpepper, Jr. 56, of Havana, Florida, has pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of an unregistered machinegun. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “When this defendant unlawfully possessed these firearms, he not only violated federal law, but also the public trust placed in him as a sworn law enforcement officer. No one is above the law, and my office will not hesitate to aggressively prosecute every violation of federal law that occurs in the Northern District of Florida.”

During a drug trafficking investigation of the defendant’s son, Garret Culpepper, additional probable cause developed to search the defendant’s residence in Havana, Florida. During the search, law enforcement located multiple unregistered machineguns as well as an unregistered rifle silencer.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20, 2026, in federal court before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida. Culpepper faces up to ten years’ imprisonment on the charges.

The case was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K Mountin.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A Single Bullet Earns Three-Time Convicted Felon More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison

SAVANNAH, GA: Charles Harmon Porter, 54, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison plus three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, said Margaret E. Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

As described in court documents and at sentencing, on the night of May 29, 2023, Porter—a three-time convicted felon with prior convictions for offenses including terroristic threats, possession of cocaine, and obstruction of law enforcement—used a handgun to shoot his female roommate during a domestic dispute at their residence on Alma Street in Savannah. After the shooting, Porter fled the residence and discarded the handgun at an unknown location, ensuring that it would never be found. Officers with the Savannah Police Department responded immediately to the scene of the shooting and quickly identified Porter as the perpetrator. They obtained a warrant for his arrest, located him at another residence in Savannah, and took him into custody within hours of the shooting. While Porter was being booked at the Chatham County jail, a single round of ammunition was found in his pocket. An ammunition examiner with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that the round had been manufactured outside of the state of Georgia, which made Porter’s possession of the round a federal crime. Porter was indicted in federal court for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this year.

At Porter’s September 4 sentencing hearing, the United States presented evidence proving that Porter possessed the round in connection with the shooting, which the Court agreed amounted to attempted murder.

“The sentencing of Charles Harmon Porter reaffirms that this office will vigorously prosecute violent criminals who illegally possess firearms or ammunition down to the very last bullet as part of our commitment to public safety. We wish the victim the best in her continued recovery,” said U.S. Attorney Heap.

"Every bullet represents a potential threat to public safety; we will continue to work diligently to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands," said Acting ASAC Robert Davis.

The case was investigated by the ATF and the Savannah Police Department and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy P. Dean.

A related state charge of aggravated assault remains pending against Porter in Chatham County Superior Court.