LARRY DAVID WELCH, 30, and JACOB LEE MADISON, 24, both from Oklahoma City, have been sentenced to a combined total of 154 months in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms after previous felony convictions. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Court records show that on April 7, 2025, officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a shooting at an apartment complex. Investigators determined that Welch and Madison had fired weapons during a dispute with neighbors before fleeing the scene. The two were later found hiding in a nearby residential backyard shed without permission to be there. Police recovered the firearms used in the incident shortly afterward.
A federal Grand Jury indicted both men on May 6, 2025, charging them with being felons in possession of firearms.
Welch has several prior felony convictions, including injuring or burning a public building; possession of a firearm after former felony conviction; endangering others while eluding police; unauthorized use of a vehicle; second degree burglary; knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property; unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute; and committing a felony with a firearm with a defaced ID number.
Madison also has previous felony convictions.
Both Welch and Madison pleaded guilty on July 16, 2025, admitting they possessed firearms despite their prior convictions.
At sentencing hearings held today, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones II sentenced Welch to serve 96 months and Madison to serve 58 months in federal prison. Both will also serve three years of supervised release following their prison terms. Judge Jones emphasized “the seriousness of the offenses and the need for deterrence” when announcing the sentences.
The case was investigated by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laney Ellis prosecuted the case as part of her role funded by a Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant awarded to the City of Oklahoma City aimed at reducing violent crime.
PSN is designed to bring together law enforcement agencies and communities to address gun violence and improve neighborhood safety.
This prosecution falls under “Operation Shots Fired,” which is part of the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN—a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing gun violence by targeting cases where individuals discharge firearms during criminal activity such as drive-by shootings or domestic disputes.
For further details about this case, reference can be made to public filings.
