OKLAHOMA CITY — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Oklahoma, Western), published as received.

OKLAHOMA CITY – As October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, United States Attorney Robert J. Troester highlights the successful partnerships and impact of Operation 922, a local Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative in the Western District of Oklahoma to hold violent domestic abusers accountable for violation of federal firearms laws.  

“You cannot have safe neighborhoods without first having safe homes,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “When domestic violence escalates to involve firearms, the likelihood of death for the abuse victim or responding law enforcement increases exponentially.  Simply put, Operation 922 is a targeted strategy to save lives by holding domestic abusers accountable for violation of federal laws before their violence escalates.”

“Operation 922 demonstrates the life-saving impact that comes from bringing law enforcement agencies together to address the intersection of domestic violence and firearms,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner. “When a violent domestic abuser is prohibited from possessing a firearm, identifying and removing that firearm can prevent further violence and potentially save a life. ATF is proud to work alongside our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to hold these offenders accountable and to ensure that firearms do not become tools of intimidation, control, or further violence in our communities.”

“The Oklahoma City Police Department has long shared a strong partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, out of the Western District of Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma City Police Chief Ron Bacy. “Together we investigate and prosecute violent crimes, particularly those involving domestic violence, especially given the staggering domestic violence statistics in our state. This collaboration includes our joint efforts through the Operation 922 initiative.”

“Palomar is proud to have partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma since the beginning of Operation 922. Together, we have helped protect hundreds of women and children from violence, hold dangerous offenders accountable, and make our community safer,” said Palomar Chief Visionary Officer & Founder Kim Garrett-Funk. “We commend Bob Troester and his team for their leadership and unwavering commitment to justice. We are honored to stand alongside partners who share our belief that every person deserves to live free from violence and fear.”

The Problem

According to a 2025 report, Oklahoma ranks among the top in the nation for women murdered by men in domestic disputes.  The danger from domestic abuse, however, extends beyond the home; one of the leading causes of firearms-related fatalities for police officers is responding to domestic abuse calls.  Moreover, domestic violence is not limited to specific geographic areas but exists in all neighborhoods (wealthy and poor) and in all communities (metropolitan and rural). 

The Strategy 

Launched in 2018, Operation 922 brings law enforcement and prosecutors together with a clear direction and common purpose: holding violent domestic abusers accountable.  Operation 922 prioritizes the prosecution of violent domestic abusers primarily using federal firearms laws, most of which are found in 18 U.S.C. § 922, from which this initiative takes its name.

All told, Operation 922 has used more than 20 federal statutes to target these violent offenders.  Common federal charges include, but are not limited to, illegal possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person (1) previously convicted of a felony offense, (2) previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, (3) under current felony indictment, or (4) subject to an active domestic violence related Victim Protective Order, and (5) making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers. Given the focus on violent abusers, federal prosecutors often seek the defendant’s pre-trial detention after arrest, in part to limit the abuser’s ability to return to the home and exert control and intimidation over victims while trial is pending.  Similarly, federal prosecutors often seek substantive prison sentences after conviction with Operation 922 offenders averaging 76 months in prison.

The Partnerships 

Operation 922 is a collaboration of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors across the Western District of Oklahoma.   To date, cases have originated in 26 different counties—well over half the counties in the district.

From its inception in 2018, Operation 922 has maintained a pivotal partnership with Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center.  Palomar brings together multi-disciplinary resources under one roof to meet the specific and multiple areas of need experienced by the victims of domestic abuse. This partnership is critical to provide the necessary victim services and support to those suffering from abuse.

Results Since 2018

Since 2018, Operation 922 has had phenomenal results:

  • 433 defendants have been charged
    • More than 96% have already pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.
    • More than 90% have already been sentenced, receiving average federal prison sentences of 76 months.
  • More than 33% were identified known gang members.
  • Law enforcement has seized from these defendants:
    • 606 firearms, and 
    • 18,068 rounds of ammunition.

The following press releases over the past two years are examples of the breadth of Operation 922’s impact:

Training Beyond Western Oklahoma

Since 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has trained more than 2,500 federal, state, local, and tribal officers and prosecutors nationwide on Operation 922. More than half of that training has taken place in Oklahoma.  Western District of Oklahoma prosecutors have also provided national training to other U.S. Attorney’s Offices who have used Operation 922 as a model for a similar strategy in their districts.

For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit justice.gov/psn. More information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma is available at justice.gov/usao-wdok.