Evergreen Reporter

A federal jury in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has found Antonio Jerome Colbert guilty of multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country, and carrying, using, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Colbert is identified as a member of the Osage Nation.

U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson praised the efforts of witnesses and law enforcement officers involved in the case. "I commend the witnesses and officers for reacting quickly to intervene on behalf of this woman. Without them, Colbert would not be held accountable for his actions," he stated. He also highlighted the role of Project Safe Neighborhoods in facilitating effective law enforcement collaboration.

The incident leading to Colbert's conviction occurred in September 2024 when several witnesses reported hearing yelling and gunshots or seeing an assault on a woman. Responding to these reports, Tulsa Police officers arrived at the scene where they found an SUV parked on the sidewalk with its doors open. Colbert was taken into custody but denied any wrongdoing.

Witnesses testified that they saw Colbert driving an SUV towards a woman walking on the sidewalk. After narrowly missing her, he exited the vehicle and began yelling before pulling out a handgun and firing at her. Although he missed his target, he proceeded to physically assault her. Body camera footage presented during the trial showed the woman visibly shaken and distressed.

Despite witness accounts, Colbert claimed he did not possess or fire a weapon. However, officers discovered a loaded handgun wedged in the seat of his vehicle during their search. The firearm was jammed with an unejected shell casing according to officer testimony.

Investigations revealed that Colbert had previous felony convictions barring him from possessing firearms or ammunition. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Tulsa Police Department conducted investigations into this case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Valeria Luster and Kenneth Elmore handled prosecution duties.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through cooperation between law enforcement agencies at all levels alongside community engagement initiatives aimed at preventing violence before it occurs.