Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
On March 27, 2025, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program recognized a joint law enforcement initiative targeting violent crime in Oklahoma City with the "Investigation Involving a Violent Organization" award at the National HIDTA Awards in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
The initiative, "Operation Sonic Boom," was conducted in September over a two-month period and was a collaboration between federal and local law enforcement aimed at reducing violent crime in the area. The operation resulted in charges against 50 individuals in both federal and state courts for various firearm and drug-related offenses. Law enforcement also recovered 193 firearms, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and machine gun conversion devices. Additionally, the operation seized more than 63 kilograms of drugs with an estimated street value of nearly $750,000, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.
The operation was led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with critical support from agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and several Oklahoma and Texoma law enforcement organizations.
“National recognition of this important initiative is yet another example of our commitment to promote public safety in the Western District of Oklahoma, and the ongoing, collaborative efforts by federal and state prosecutors and law enforcement at every level,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. “The success of Operation Sonic Boom is the result of the dedicated and coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to reducing violent crime in Oklahoma.”
Jeffrey C. Boshek II, ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge, expressed pride in the participants of Operation Sonic Boom: “I could not be prouder of the men and women who participated in Operation Sonic Boom for winning this prestigious National HIDTA Award. However, as they would each tell you, they did not do this for recognition or honors; they did it to help keep Oklahoma safer from violent criminals plaguing our streets,” he said. “As I said in September, ATF, the United States Attorney’s Office, and HIDTA have doubled down in Oklahoma City. This award is merely the beginning of the work that is yet to be done. Bandits and gangsters beware; we are still here!”
Keith Brown, Executive Director of the Texoma HIDTA, emphasized the importance of the HIDTA program, noting, “The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program exists to build law enforcement partnerships and provide critical funding for important public safety efforts, and the successful outcome of Operation Sonic Boom is a clear example of the value of HIDTA.” He stated pride in the recognition from the Office of National Drug Control Policy for the exceptional efforts of the ATF agents and supporting law enforcement personnel.
Operation Sonic Boom was funded by the Texoma HIDTA, which comprises federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in North Texas and Oklahoma. HIDTA fosters cooperation across agencies to address drug-related and violent crime threats with funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.
