Sallisaw Man Sentenced for Illegal Ammunition Possession

Andrew T. Blankenship received 24 months in prison for possessing ammunition after a domestic violence conviction.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has announced that Andrew T. Blankenship, 39, of Sallisaw, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one count of possession of ammunition after conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of enforcing laws that prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes from possessing firearms or ammunition, which are intended to protect public safety and prevent further acts of violence.

The details

According to investigators, on July 24, 2024, after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of battery (domestic violence) in Putnam County, Florida, and knowing of that conviction, Blankenship knowingly possessed eight rounds of ammunition. The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sallisaw Police Department.

  • On Nov. 10, 2025, Blankenship pleaded guilty to the charge.
  • On July 24, 2024, Blankenship possessed the ammunition after his domestic violence conviction.

The players

Andrew T. Blankenship

A 39-year-old Sallisaw resident who was sentenced to 24 months in prison for illegally possessing ammunition after a domestic violence conviction.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The federal agency that investigated the case along with the Sallisaw Police Department.

Sallisaw Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that investigated the case along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Honorable Ronald A. White

The Senior District Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma who presided over the hearing.

Jonathan E. Soverly and Lewis Reagan

The Assistant U.S. Attorneys who represented the United States in the case.

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What they’re saying

“We must enforce laws that prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes from possessing firearms or ammunition in order to protect public safety and prevent further acts of violence.”

— Jonathan E. Soverly, Assistant U.S. Attorney

What’s next

Blankenship will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his sentence.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for violating laws designed to keep firearms and ammunition out of the hands of those with a history of domestic violence, which is a critical step in preventing further acts of violence and protecting public safety.