Federal and local law enforcement officials have announced the results of Operation Take Back America, a coordinated initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in Eastern Oklahoma. The announcement was made by Christopher J. Wilson, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and Ashley Stephens, Assistant Special Agent in Charge from ATF Dallas, alongside representatives from state, local, and tribal agencies.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, “This operation demonstrates that when law enforcement stands united at every level, criminals lose. The Department of Justice is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our federal, state, Tribal, and local law enforcement partners as part of Operation Take Back America. And by leveraging our combined resources and resolve, we are not only removing dangerous individuals and organizations from our streets but also reaffirming our commitment to protecting the safety and wellbeing of all Americans.”
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson added, “We’ve long known that achieving true success in public safety is dependent on developing and maintaining partnerships between law enforcement agencies. By leveraging these relationships, our communities are safer because we have more resources dedicated to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who commit violent crimes. I am proud to be here today to celebrate those partnerships and to express my appreciation to the agencies which are collectively making a tremendous impact in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
Ashley Stephens commented on the outcome: “This unprecedented outcome is a direct result of the unwavering commitment, strategic coordination, and shared mission among our federal, state, tribal and local partners; taking hundreds of crime guns off the streets and dismantling large-scale drug and explosive operations saves lives. These statistics represent more than just numbers, they reflect safer communities, fewer victims, and a clear message to those who threaten public safety. The Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crime Task Force has become a model of effective interagency cooperation. Through their collective efforts, this operation disrupted criminal organizations with deep ties to violent crime, drug trafficking, illegal firearms distribution, and explosive manufacturing.”
The operation led by the Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crime Task Force resulted in several major seizures: authorities discovered what they described as the largest homemade explosives laboratory found recently in Oklahoma; seized significant amounts of drugs including methamphetamine (23 pounds), marijuana (100 pounds), cocaine (15 pounds), anabolic steroids (5 pounds), along with quantities of MDMA, LSD, heroin and fentanyl; confiscated over $270,000 in cash; and recovered 606 firearms linked to felons or organized criminal groups.
These actions resulted in indictments against 108 individuals facing charges such as murder; robbery by force or fear; arson; Hobbs Act robbery; assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury; drug conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; trafficking in firearms; possession of machine guns; as well as being prohibited persons found with firearms or explosives.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District covers 26 counties within an area recognized for its cultural significance as home to several Native American nations including Cherokee Nation Marshal Service among others.
Operation Take Back America brings together resources from multiple Department of Justice programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs). Local partners involved included sheriff’s offices from Adair County and Cherokee County; police departments from Durant and Hugo; Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department; Muskogee Fire Department; Oklahoma Highway Patrol and others.
Officials say these collaborative efforts exemplify how combining agency resources can help address threats posed by organized crime networks within regional communities.
