Lawton man guilty of gun charges, gets 20 years in prison

A Comanche County jury found a Lawton man guilty of recklessness with a firearm he shouldn’t have had and sentenced him to serve 20 years in prison Tuesday.

Following two days of trial in Comanche County Chief District Judge Scott D. Meaders’ courtroom, the jury found Maximilano Rodriguez, 36, of Lawton, guilty of felony charges of reckless conduct with a firearm as well as possession of a firearm after three prior felony convictions, records indicate.

The jury first found Rodriguez guilty of the reckless conduct charge and sentenced him to six months in jail, before they were then introduced to Rodriguez’s three prior felony convictions in Comanche County for eluding police and two driving under the influence convictions.

Following that information, the jury determined Rodriguez must serve 20 years in prison for the gun possession charge.

Rodriguez was arrested in December 2022 after police responded to a shots fired call and, according to police, he was found outside waving a pistol. Police said he smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech. He said there were two people in his attic, the probable cause affidavit states.

No one was found in the attic. Police did locate multiple bullet holes in the home’s ceiling and walls, according to the affidavit.

Rodriguez has been held on $75,000 bond since his Dec. 20, 2022, initial court appearance, records indicate. He will now await transfer and intake at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center.