Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A Broken Arrow man, Christopher Michael Helton, 48, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for possessing a loaded firearm and five pounds of methamphetamine. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson ordered Helton to serve 168 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
The case stems from an incident in September 2024 when Tulsa Police officers attempted to stop Helton’s vehicle. Instead of complying, Helton led officers on a pursuit through neighborhoods and discarded a black backpack from his car. Officers used “stop sticks” to slow the vehicle, which eventually crashed through a brick wall, several yards, and fences before Helton fled on foot.
Police apprehended Helton nearby and searched his vehicle, finding a loaded handgun, multiple magazines, and 480 rounds of ammunition. The tossed backpack contained five pounds of methamphetamine.
Court records indicate that Helton has an extensive criminal history including domestic assault and battery, kidnapping, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Helton will remain in custody until he is transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Dowdell prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates law enforcement agencies at all levels with community organizations to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. In May 2021, the Department implemented an updated strategy for PSN focusing on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts by local organizations, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and tracking outcomes for effectiveness. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
