Izavia Marquis Smith, a 29-year-old from Oklahoma City, was sentenced on April 20 to serve 144 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address violent crime and illegal firearm possession in the region. The case is part of broader initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing gun violence.
According to public records, Smith was stopped by Oklahoma City Police on August 12, 2025, after he crossed multiple lanes of traffic without signaling on I-35. Officers found a small bag of cocaine, a handgun, and nine rounds of live ammunition during the search. A federal grand jury indicted Smith for being a felon in possession of a firearm on September 2, and he pleaded guilty on October 22 that year.
U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman imposed the sentence with consideration given to deterrence needs and Smith’s violent criminal history. His prior convictions include second-degree burglary (2013), two counts of domestic abuse assault and battery as well as malicious injury to property (2015), first-degree burglary (2021), two counts of felon in possession of a firearm (2021), pointing a firearm at another person (2021), and using a vehicle to facilitate discharge of a weapon (2021).
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Oklahoma City Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods—a program designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and communities they serve.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (OTBA) and Operation 922—initiatives that focus resources from the Department of Justice against illegal immigration-related offenses, transnational criminal organizations, violent crime perpetrators, and prioritize prosecution related to domestic violence cases.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma advances public safety through enforcement of federal laws according to its official website. The office is part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website and covers forty counties across western and central parts of Oklahoma according to its official website. It collaborates on community safety initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods according to its official website, enforces laws defending national security according to its official website, functions within DOJ structures according to its official website, covers the largest judicial district in Oklahoma with forty counties according to its official website.
