Felon Convicted of Illegal Firearm Possession and Witness Tampering after Attack at Metro Business (DOJ)

OKLAHOMA CITY - ISAEL ANTONIO ORTIZ, 27, of Oklahoma City, has been convicted of possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction and witness tampering, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On January 6, 2026, a federal grand jury charged Ortiz with being a felon in possession of a firearm and witness tampering. On February 10, 2026, a federal jury found Ortiz guilty on both counts. According to the evidence at trial, on October 14, 2024, the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a report of an assault with a dangerous weapon. The victim told police that Ortiz struck his vehicle outside a local business, breaking the driver's-side window, and began pulling a gun from his pants. Ortiz then fled the scene after noticing a surveillance camera. Officers later responded to Ortiz's home, where they detained him, executed a search warrant, and seized a firearm.

Additional evidence at trial showed that, while in custody, Ortiz made several phone calls, sent text messages, and communicated through third parties in an attempt to persuade a witness to falsely claim ownership of the firearm and to state that Ortiz was unaware of its existence.

According to public records, Ortiz has previous felony convictions that include:

• eluding a police officer in Canadian County District Court case number CF-2018-106;
• use of a vehicle in discharge of a weapon, drive-by shooting, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2019-5007; and
• rioting, second-degree attempted arson, and malicious injury and destruction to property in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2020-2901.

At sentencing, Ortiz faces up to 35 years in federal prison, and fines of up to $500,000.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Laney Ellis are prosecuting the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with the City of Oklahoma City whose position is funded by a federal Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant awarded to the City of Oklahoma City to enhance efforts to address and reduce violent crime. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.