OKLAHOMA CITY – CATRAYVION SHAMEAR DEAN HOUSTON , 19, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 37 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, on April 1, 2026, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department were searching for Houston because he had an outstanding felony warrant. Officers located Houston in a parked vehicle at a fast-food restaurant and ordered him to exit. Houston exited the vehicle but fled on foot before being subdued by officers. Law enforcement recovered from Houston’s pants a handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device (MCD), commonly known as a “switch.” When installed, MCDs convert semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic machineguns, and possession of the devices violates federal law. A search of Houston’s cell phone revealed videos of him firing the handgun with the MCD attached, along with other pictures depicting Houston possessing this firearm and others.
On April 20, 2026, Houston was charged by Information with unlawful possession of a machinegun. Houston pleaded guilty on May 11, 2026, and admitted he knowingly possessed a handgun modified by an MCD.
At a sentencing hearing on October 22, 2026, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Houston to serve 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentencing, Judge Russell noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, and Houston’s history and characteristics.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Oklahoma City Police Department and the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime through coordinated federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partnerships. PSN is a key component of Operation Take Back America (OTBA), the Department’s nationwide effort to combat violent crime and other threats to public safety. This case is also part of “Project Switch Off,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of OTBA. “Project Switch Off” targets illegal machinegun conversion devices to address the significant danger these illegal devices present and to remove them from our streets.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Western District of Oklahoma — U.S. Department of Justice press release.