Isael Antonio Ortiz, 27, of Oklahoma City, was convicted by a federal jury of possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction and of witness tampering. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Ortiz was charged on January 6, 2026, following an incident that took place on October 14, 2024. According to trial evidence, police responded to a report involving an assault with a dangerous weapon outside a local business. The victim reported that Ortiz struck his vehicle and broke the driver’s-side window before attempting to pull out a gun from his pants. Ortiz left the scene upon noticing a surveillance camera.
Police later detained Ortiz at his home and executed a search warrant that led to the seizure of a firearm.
While in custody, evidence showed that Ortiz attempted to influence the outcome of the investigation by contacting others through phone calls, text messages, and third parties. He tried to persuade a witness to falsely claim ownership of the firearm and state that he did not know about its existence.
Ortiz has previous felony convictions including eluding police in Canadian County (case CF-2018-106), drive-by shooting and related firearms offenses in Oklahoma County (case CF-2019-5007), as well as rioting and property destruction (case CF-2020-2901).
At sentencing, Ortiz could face up to 35 years in federal prison and fines totaling $500,000.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside the Oklahoma City Police Department on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis are prosecuting. Ellis’s position is funded by Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which supports law enforcement efforts aimed at reducing violent crime.
“PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” according to the release.
Further details can be found in public filings.
