A Republic, Missouri man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal possession of firearms and making threats against law enforcement. The indictment, unsealed on June 24, 2025, follows the arrest and initial court appearance of Franklin E. Brownlee.
Brownlee, aged 40, faces charges including attempted destruction of an aircraft, being an unlawful user of a controlled substance while in possession of firearms, and transmitting a threat to injure law enforcement across state lines. According to the indictment, on March 27, 2025, Brownlee allegedly attempted to destroy an unmanned aerial system operated by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. He is also accused of illegally possessing a Glock pistol and a Remington shotgun while knowing he was an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Furthermore, he is charged with knowingly transmitting a threat to injure law enforcement through interstate commerce.
The indictment serves as an accusation rather than evidence of guilt. The burden remains on the prosecution to present supporting evidence before a federal trial jury tasked with determining Brownlee’s guilt or innocence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation integrates resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) to protect communities from violent crime perpetrators.
