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January 16, 2010

Dyer now facing federal weapon charge

Ron Booth

An arrest on charges of rape of a child and forcible sodomy has led to a complaint being filed in United States District Court.

Charles Alan Dyer, 29, of Marlow, was arrested for the alleged rape and forcible sodomy of a child. During the investigation into the allegations, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant to collect DNA evidence. During the search the sheriff’s deputies noted several firearms and a device believed to be a Colt M-203, 40-millimeter grenade launcher, a complaint filed in the United States District Court of Western Oklahoma by Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco Special Agent Brett Williams said.

On Wednesday, knowing that Dyer, an ex-Marine, had alleged contacts with militia groups and not knowing the legality of the alleged device, the Stephens County Sheriff's Office contacted federal agents and informed them of what the deputies had observed.

Dyer’s affiliation with militia groups is apparent through the videos posted on his YouTube channel — July4Patriot.

Deputies searched the residence with consent from another person who lived at 5819 Hope Road near Clear Creek Lake and seized the grenade launcher.

Deputies searched the National Crime Information Center database, according to the complaint, and found that the grenade launcher was one stolen from Fort Irwin, Calif., in 2006. The NCIC also indicated that there were two other grenade launchers stolen from Fort Irwin as they were being transported to Iraq.

Williams affirmed in the complaint that through his extensive training that he identified the grenade launcher as a destructive device as defined in Title 26 of the United States Code, section 5845(f).

The complaint noted that the grenade launcher was not commonly available to civilians unless they possess a Federal Firearms License.

Assistant District Attorney, Josh Creekmore said that Dyer is now in federal custody.

“Federal crimes take precedent over state crimes,” Creekmore noted.

Violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5871, referring to Section 5861(d), carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine.

Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney said that the investigation went smoothly.

“I’m extremely happy with the cooperation between the sheriff’s office and the federal agents,” McKinney said.

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