John Thomas Worthy, a 51-year-old resident of Hugo, Oklahoma, was sentenced to one year of probation for possessing a machine gun, according to an April 9 announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The sentencing follows Worthy's guilty plea in federal district court on October 6, 2025. The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address firearm violations involving illegally modified weapons.
Investigators said that on January 21, 2025, Worthy knowingly possessed a firearm that had been altered so it could fire more than one round with a single pull of the trigger and without manual reloading. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The hearing took place before Senior Judge Ronald A. White in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the government during proceedings.
Cases like this reflect continued law enforcement attention on firearms offenses and modifications that violate federal regulations.
