Eastern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Okmulgee Resident Sentenced for Sexual Abuse, Federal Firearms and Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Edgar Rene Garcia-Limon, age 36, was sentenced to life in prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, 120 months in prison for Felon in Possession of Firearm, and 24 months in prison for Illegal Reentry of Previously Removed Alien. The sentences run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Tulsa Police Department, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 18, 2022, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts after a two-day trial. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that the defendant sexually abused a female child under the age of eleven over a span of seven years. The United States also presented evidence that the defendant, a felon, was in possession of two firearms. Finally, the United States presented evidence that the defendant illegally returned to the United States from Mexico after having been previously removed from the United States in July 2019. The crimes occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“The abuse suffered at the hands of the defendant will have long-lasting effects on his victim, and there is no question the sentencing is just,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue the most serious crimes in Indian Country and create safer communities for all Oklahomans.”
“This defendant’s predatory behavior shattered the innocence of an unsuspecting child,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes, Jr. “No amount of prison time can restore what was lost by the victim. Thankfully, due to the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, this defendant will be spending the remainder of his life behind bars.”
“Heinous isn’t a strong enough adjective to describe the crimes that were perpetrated by Mr. Limon-Garcia. He is every law-abiding citizen’s worst nightmare. I am thankful that ATF was able to do a small part to keep this diabolical man behind iron bars for the rest of his life” stated ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II.
“The defendant received the punishment he deserved,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “After hearing the evidence gathered during a lengthy investigation, the jury rendered its verdicts, and now the judge has handed down appropriate punishment. For years, the defendant terrorized and sexually abused an innocent child, and now he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the sentencing hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Garcia-Limon will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jacob Matthew Staton, age 28, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On July 28, 2022, Staton pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
On May 17, 2022, the Muskogee Police Department attempted to stop Staton when he took off running and threw a backpack he was carrying. When the backpack was recovered, a loaded handgun was found on the ground next to the backpack. At the time Staton possessed the firearm, Staton was a convicted felon.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Jacob Matthew Staton will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Sallisaw Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Amy Lee Littledeer, a/k/a Amy Hummingbird, age 37, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The charges arose from investigations by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 17, 2022, Littledeer pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
On July 7, 2020, Sequoyah County Sheriff deputies executed a search warrant at Littledeer’s residence in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. During the search, they located three baggies containing a total mixture of methamphetamine weighing over 80 grams.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Littledeer will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Ada Resident Sentenced for Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jimmy Louis Northcutt, Jr., age 45, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 222 months for his role in a Pontotoc County homicide.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 7, 2022, Northcutt pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree. According to investigators, on July 18, 2019, Northcutt broke into a commercial marijuana grow operation and shot the victim three times, killing him. The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Northcutt was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal at the conclusion of sentencing. He will remain in custody pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Former LeFlore County Undersheriff Sentenced for Using Excessive Force and Violating Civil RightsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kendall Bryan Morgan, age 45, of Shady Point, Oklahoma, was sentenced today to 22 months imprisonment and 36 months of supervised release for violating the civil rights of a handcuffed detainee without legal justification.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On November 8, 2022, Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. At the plea hearing, Morgan, the former Undersheriff in the LeFlore County Sheriff’s Department, admitted that on January 25, 2017, he repeatedly struck a person under arrest and in handcuffs, causing the victim bodily injury. At the time of the assault, the individual was not resisting arrest and posed no threat to officers or the public. Morgan’s excessive force furthered no legitimate law enforcement purpose and violated the victim’s constitutional right to be free from unreasonable force by law enforcement.
“The reputation of the entire law enforcement profession is tarnished when an officer betrays the oath to protect and serve,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “The sentencing of Mr. Morgan sends a clear message that the FBI will not tolerate anyone who dishonors the badge by using excessive force.”
“Law enforcement officers are bound by oath to serve and protect all citizens equally—this requires consistency, compassion, and respect for the dignity of all,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “The defendant violated that oath, and justice demands he pay the price for blatantly disregarding the law and the civil rights of others.”
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Morgan will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Arkansas Resident Pleads Guilty to Shooting at Police Officers While Holding InfantRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Elbert Andrew Fuller, Jr., age 24, of Fort Smith, Arkansas entered a guilty plea to a seven-count indictment which includes: one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country; one count of Child Abuse in Indian Country; one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country; three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; and one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Roland Police Department, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to investigators, on October 8, 2022, Fuller fired a pistol at a family member. When Roland Police Department officers responded to the scene, Fuller – while holding an infant child – opened fire on them as well. The crimes occurred in Sequoyah County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Fuller will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary W. Parsons represented the United States.
Wewoka Resident Sentenced for Sexually Abusing A Child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Eduardo Chapa, age 35, of Wewoka, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 75 months imprisonment for one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 4, 2022, Chapa pleaded guilty to one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Chapa admitted to sexually abusing a minor under the age of 16 between 2018 and 2019. The crime occurred in Seminole County, within the Seminole Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Chapa will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jarrod Leaman represented the United States.
Pittsburg County Resident Pleads Guilty to Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Damian Michael Murguia, age 20, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of Fentanyl.
The superseding indictment alleged that on October 20, 2022, Murguia distributed fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
According to investigators, Murguia sold counterfeit Roxicodone (M30) tablets containing fentanyl to an undercover DEA special agent in McAlester, Oklahoma.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Murguia will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary W. Parsons represented the United States.
Muskogee Man Sentenced for Assault and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Ray Zuniga, age 29, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 40 months for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and a term of imprisonment of 120 months for one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.
The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
On July 19, 2022, Zuniga pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. At the plea hearing, Zuniga admitted to striking the victim in the face with a 9 mm caliber firearm and firing the gun at the victim. The crimes occurred within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Zuniga will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve the non-paroleable sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
LeFlore County Resident Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that David Glen Berryhill, Jr., age 50, of LeFlore County, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to an Indictment of one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The Indictment alleged that on or about January 25, 2023, Berryhill possessed at least 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. According to law enforcement reports, Berryhill was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper for a traffic violation on Highway 69 near Checotah, Oklahoma. During the stop, a certified drug dog alerted on Berryhill’s vehicle for the presence of narcotics. Troopers subsequently found approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Berryhill will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.
Idabel Resident Sentenced for Assault with the Intent to Commit MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lawrence Samuel McKinney, age 36, of Idabel, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for one count of Assault with the Intent to Commit Murder.
The charges arose from investigations by the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 28, 2022, McKinney pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with the Intent to Commit Murder. At the plea hearing, McKinney admitted that he drove to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and shot the victim with a shotgun with the specific intent to commit murder. The victim survived the shooting. The crime occurred in McCurtain County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Patrick R. Wyrick, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. McKinney will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States.
Carter County Resident Pleads Guilty to Multiple Counts of Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justin Earl Wilson, age 37, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty plea to five counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
The Indictment alleged that in late 2021 and early 2022 Wilson distributed methamphetamine on five separate occasions from two houses located in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Wilson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Richard Lorenz represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Troy Richard Jenkins, age 32, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of child pornography, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
During the plea hearing held June 27, 2023, Jenkins admitted to knowingly possessing and accessing with the intent to view more than 600 visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors. Some of the pornographic images depicted children under the age of 12. Jenkins also admitted to distributing child pornography to others.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
The charges arose from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. At the conclusion of the plea hearing, Jenkins was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Anthony C. Marek represented the United States.
McAlester Resident Sentenced for Sexual Abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dustin Dewayne Bristow, age 37, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for sexual abuse of a minor.
On February 14, 2022, Bristow pleaded guilty in federal district court to one count of Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Bristow admitted to sexually abusing a child under the age of 16 between 2007 and 2008. The crime occurred in Pittsburg Country, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Jodi W. Dishman, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Bristow will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
Former Morris School Teacher Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of A Minor in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dallas Tyler Ewton, age 41, of Morris, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 180 months each for two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, to be served concurrently, and 6 months for one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, to be served consecutively.
The charges arose from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police.
On July 7, 2022, Ewton pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. Ewton, then employed as a full-time teacher at Morris Public Schools, engaged in sexual acts with two of his students. At the plea hearing, Ewton admitted to sexually abusing a student between April 2012 and June 2016. He also admitted to sexually abusing another student between September 2019 and January 2020. The crimes occurred in within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“This case represents a nightmare scenario for any parent,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “The defendant took advantage of the time-honored relationship of teacher and student to prey on his victims.”
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Ewton will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve the non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Eufaula Resident Sentenced to 121 Months for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Donald Ray Cowan, age 61, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 121 months imprisonment for Distribution of Methamphetamine.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
On February 18, 2022, Cowan pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. At the plea hearing, Cowan admitted to knowingly distributing more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, on December 10, 2022.
The Honorable Judge Timothy D. DeGuisti, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the sentencing in Oklahoma City. Cowan will remain in custody pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which improves public safety by providing federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes, such as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
“To improve public safety in Indian country, we must break down the barriers to criminal justice information that Tribal communities have faced for years,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why the Justice Department is expanding Tribal communities’ access to national crime databases that enhance law enforcement efforts and coordination through the Tribal Access Program.”
“The Tribal Access Program has strengthened Tribal criminal justice agencies,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “By using TAP, participating Tribes have shared information about missing persons, apprehended fugitives, registered sex offenders, enforced protection orders, and have made hundreds of entries into the FBI’s NICS Indices database to prevent prohibited persons from illegally obtaining access to firearms. The efficient and effective sharing of criminal justice information has improved public safety in Indian country and beyond.”
“The Justice Department is committed to supporting Tribal law enforcement and protecting Tribal communities,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “TAP empowers participating Tribes to take advantage of information from across the country to better investigate and prosecute crime, carry out background checks for potential foster parents, and keep their communities safe and secure from domestic violence and child abuse.”
The program provides training as well as a web-based application and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 123 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The Department will accept TAP applications from July 3 to Sept. 1. Tribes selected to participate will be notified later in September.
“The TAP program has allowed the Poarch Creek Tribal Police Department to have cost-effective access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system,” said Chief Chris Rutherford of the Poarch Creek Tribal Police. “Now our officers have full NCIC access from their patrol vehicles, desk, or through our Emergency Tribal Dispatch Center. The value of this program to our reservation far exceeds the minimal effort required to be a participating partner in the TAP program.”
For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities. Webinars will be offered throughout July and August. For more information about TAP, including webinar dates, times, and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; registered convicted sex offenders; run criminal histories; located fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“We cannot say enough about the efforts that have been made to get the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (KTTT) ready for this program,” said Director Cristina Collett-Jensen of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Legal Department. “Through these efforts, KTTT will have access to information that will substantially improve the KTTT Police Department’s operations, and thereby allow us to better protect and serve the KTTT community.”
The Department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
- TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.
Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:
- A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act,
- A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers,
- A Tribal court that issues orders of protection, or
- A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking; the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office on Violence Against Women. TAP is co-managed by the Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Tribal Justice.
- TAP-LIGHT: Provides application that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases including the NCIC, the Interstate Identification Index, and the International Justice and Public Safety Network for criminal justice purposes.
Federal Jury Convicts Tulsa Resident of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that that Danny Gene Kirby, age 65, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.
The jury trial began with testimony on June 26, 2023, and concluded on June 28, 2023, with the guilty verdict.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that the defendant caused the death of his passenger while driving a motorcycle under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol.
On July 23, 2022, in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, Kirby and a passenger left a bar on Kirby’s motorcycle. A short distance from the bar, Kirby left the roadway while making a turn. He lost control of the motorcycle attempting to re-enter the roadway, throwing his passenger from the bike. Emergency responders life-flighted the victim to a Tulsa hospital, where the victim was pronounced dead the following morning. At the time of the crash, Kirby was under the combined influence of alcohol, marijuana, tramadol, trazodone, amphetamines, citalopram, and oxycodone, and was unable to complete field sobriety tests administered by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper.
The guilty verdict was the result of investigations by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Indian Country, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. The defendant was allowed to remain on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Howanitz and Joshua Satter represented the United States.
Wetumka Resident Sentenced for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Carl Lloyd True, age 56, of Wetumka, Oklahoma, was sentenced on June 16, 2023, for firearm offenses. True was sentenced to sixteen months in prison for one count of Making a False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm and sixteen months for one count of being a Prohibited Person Receiving and Possessing Firearms and Ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On February 21, 2023, True pleaded guilty to False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm and Prohibited Person Receiving and Possessing Firearms and Ammunition. In June of 2022, True was charged in the District Court of Hughes County, Oklahoma, with felony Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation. Within days of being released on bond in that case, True provided false information on the ATF Firearm Transaction Record so he could illegally purchase two firearms despite being under information for the felony offense.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy based on fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
“Investigating and prosecuting what we refer to as ‘lie and buy offenses’ is a priority of the Department of Justice,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “In this case, the defendant could not obtain a firearm because he was charged in state court with a felony crime. He provided false information to the licensed gun dealer in order to obtain two firearms.”
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. True will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
Okmulgee Resident Sentenced for Assault and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lakota John Trumon Watson, age 23, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced for his role in a violent armed assault.
The federal district court sentenced Watson to 6 months imprisonment for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and 120 months imprisonment for one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. The sentences are ordered to run consecutively for a total of 126 months.
The charges arose from investigations by the Henryetta Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 20, 2022, Watson entered a guilty plea to both counts. On September 4, 2017, during an argument outside of a Henryetta residence, Watson pulled out a .22 Magnum revolver and shot the victim in the stomach. Multiple witnesses identified Watson as the shooter. The crimes occurred in within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Watson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Atoka Resident Sentenced for Killing Four Durant Teens in May 2020 Motor Vehicle CollisionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bradley Shawn Pittman, age 45, of Atoka, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 405 months in prison each for four counts of Second-Degree Murder in Indian Country. The sentences will be served concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Durant Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Texas Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On December 1, 2020, Pittman pleaded guilty to four counts of Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree. At the plea hearing, Pittman admitted that he was driving a pickup at speeds of over 70 miles per hour on Main Street in Durant when he collided into the rear of another vehicle that was stopped at a traffic light just before midnight on May 24, 2020. Four Durant teens in the other vehicle were killed in the collision. At the time of the collision, Pittman registered a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit, was driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and had previously been convicted of driving under the influence on three separate occasions.
The crimes occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“Every parent’s worst fear is having your child taken from you in the blink of an eye. Four teenagers were stolen from their families with one reckless decision that has had a devastating and rippling impact on the Durant community,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “Let this sentence serve as a reminder of the grave and irrevocable consequences of driving under the influence, so that no other family will have to endure such tremendous loss.”
“No sentence can heal the loss to these families and this community,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “The devastation brought about by one individual’s reckless actions underscores our determination to hold those accountable who engage in criminally reckless actions within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
The Honorable John F. Heil, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.
Carter County Resident Sentenced in Two Federal CasesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeremy Matthew Girty, age 43, of Carter County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 130 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and 120 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. In a separate case, Girty was sentenced to 96 months in prison for Manslaughter in Indian Country. The manslaughter sentence was ordered to run consecutive to the drug and gun crimes.
The drug and gun charges arose from an investigation by the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, the Ardmore Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The manslaughter charge arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 7, 2022, Girty pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. At the plea hearing, he admitted that on July 14, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in Carter County and found three handguns, ammunition, and baggies containing approximately 35 grams of methamphetamine. He further admitted he intended to distribute some of the methamphetamine seized during the search and that he was a convicted felon and knew he could not possess firearms.
On June 10, 2022, Girty pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Girty admitted that on July 31, 2021, he was drinking at a friend’s home. Girty and a passenger left in Girty’s pickup. Girty lost control and flipped the pickup killing the passenger. The crime occurred in Carter County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Jodi W. Dishman, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Girty will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve the non-paroleable sentences of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Gross and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
United States Attorney's Office Will Continue Federal Prosecution of Jimcy McGirtRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Yesterday the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion reversing the November 2020 federal jury conviction of Jimcy McGirt on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. The appellate court determined an improper instruction of law was given to the jury which could have impacted the verdicts and remanded the case to the district court.
“The role of the prosecution is to seek justice under the law,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “We are disappointed by the ruling, but we respect the opinion of the court. If a critical error occurred during the trial, then our goal was not achieved. The United States Attorney’s Office will, however, continue pursuing justice for the victim.”
Eufaula Resident Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Wendy Dawn Johnson, age 38, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 13, 2022, Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge. On March 18, 2021, Johnson was driving on State Highway 9 in Eufaula with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit. She crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car, killing the driver. The crime occurred in McIntosh County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Jodi W. Dishman, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Johnson will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Memphis Residents Plead Guilty to ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jemarcus Maquel Williams, age 31, Andria Victoria Dowdy, age 22, and Anfernee Deshon Sherrod, age 30, all of Memphis, Tennessee, each entered pleas of guilty to one count of Conspiracy to commit firearm offenses, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The Government’s Indictment alleged that in December 2021, Williams and Sherrod, both felons, together with Dowdy, conspired to obtain several firearms, ammunition, and an unregistered silencer in violation of federal laws prohibiting felons from possessing firearms. At the plea hearings, Williams, Dowdy, and Sherrod each admitted traveling to Oklahoma to obtain firearms. After a traffic stop in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, officers found three semiautomatic rifles, one semiautomatic 9mm pistol, one 12-gauge shotgun, an unserialized silencer, and multiple rounds of various branded and gauged ammunition.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, the Roland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Judge Gerald Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report for each defendant. At the conclusion of their plea hearing, Williams, Dowdy, and Sherrod were each remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
Cherokee County Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeffery Glenn Bocephus Robinson, age 32, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea of one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The Indictment alleged that on November 28, 2022, Robinson, who had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, was found in possession of a .22 rifle.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Robinson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Pahl represented the United States.
Bryan County Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bobby William Wells, Jr., age 33, of Durant, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
During the plea hearing, Wells admitted to having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and to possessing ammunition despite knowing he was prohibited from doing so.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Durant Police Department, Southeastern Oklahoma State University Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Richard Lorenz represented the United States.
Tahlequah Resident Sentenced for Assault with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jordan Allen Houston, age 25, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 39 months in prison for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Tahlequah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On July 26, 2022, Houston pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country.
On July 1, 2022, while at a friend’s home in Tahlequah, Houston got into an argument. Houston struck the first victim in the side of the head with a pistol, causing an accidental discharge and sending a bullet into the ceiling. When the residents ejected Houston from the house, he fired multiple rounds through the front window and door. Two of those rounds struck a second victim in the chest but were not fatal. Houston committed these crimes in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“Whether violence comes from a stranger or a friend, the harm to individuals and communities is incalculable,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Together with law enforcement and first responders, we are committed to promoting justice and protecting the peace of our communities against dangerous offenders.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy based on fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Houston will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary W. Parsons represented the United States.
Haskell County Drug Dealer Sentenced for Role in Extensive Drug and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that CALVIN JAMES WOODMORE age 34, of Haskell County, Oklahoma, was sentenced for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in Haskell and Pittsburg Counties. Calvin Woodmore was sentenced to 324 months in prison for Drug Conspiracy and 240 months in prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy and Laundering Monetary Instruments. The sentences will run concurrently. Woodmore was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release following his prison sentences.
The charges arose from investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force, the United States Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, the National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the District 18 Drug and Violent Crime Taskforce, the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the McAlester Police Department, the Stigler Police Department, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.
On April 7, 2022, Calvin Woodmore and his co-defendant, Early Woodmore, were convicted by a federal jury at trial. Early Woodmore’s sentencing is pending. From early 2018 until their arrest by law enforcement in 2020, the Woodmores led a methamphetamine trafficking organization in which they arranged to have large quantities of methamphetamine shipped to addresses in Haskell County and Pittsburg County. Once the packages of methamphetamine arrived, they would break them down into smaller quantities for distribution into communities in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“Calvin Woodmore’s sentence is a direct result of the excellent partnership between law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s office in combating drug trafficking and money laundering," said Christopher J. Altemus, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to be relentless in our mission to dismantle these drug trafficking organizations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”
“This sentence reflects a win for the citizens of Eastern Oklahoma who value safe and drug-free communities,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas. “Woodmore, who spent his days distributing methamphetamine and engaging in acts of violence, will now spend his nights in jail while the men and women of the DEA and it’s Oklahoma law enforcement partners continue their efforts to keep our streets drug free.”
“This office is dedicated to disrupting the destruction and violence inflicted by Woodmore and those like him,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Criminal organizations that distribute illegal drugs within our communities will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.”
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and sentencing hearing in Muskogee. Woodmore will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States.
Ardmore Resident Sentenced for Child Abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christopher Lee Hill, age 21, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 108 months in prison for Child Abuse in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Ardmore Police Department, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 26, 2022, Hill pleaded guilty to Child Abuse in Indian Country. During the plea hearing, Hill admitted striking the 39-day-old victim, causing injuries including skull fractures and brain hemorrhaging. The crime occurred in Carter County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“One of the most important and difficult duties law enforcement and health professionals will ever undertake is the protection and treatment of child victims of abuse and neglect,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “We are grateful for their care, their sensitivity, and their diligence, and we consider them essential partners in pursuing justice on behalf of child victims.”
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing in Oklahoma City. Hill will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Anthony C. Marek represented the United States.
Ada Resident Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of A Minor and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ronnie Lee Lamb, age 40, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 180 months per count for three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country, and 180 months for one count of possession of child pornography, with sentences set to run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On October 10, 2021, Lamb pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual acts with a minor and to knowingly possessing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The crimes were committed in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Lamb will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer and Assistant United States Attorney Anthony C. Marek represented the United States.
Muskogee County Resident Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of A ChildRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bradley Wayne Morris, age 36, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 420 months, per count, for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. The sentences will run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 5, 2022, a federal jury found Morris guilty on all four counts of a Superseding Indictment at trial. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that between January 2018 and February 2020, Morris sexually abused a child under the age of twelve. The crimes occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Morris will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Henryetta Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jagger Levi Gordon, age 29, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 110 months imprisonment for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Henryetta Police Department, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On February 16, 2022, Gordon pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. At the plea hearing, Gordon admitted that he had possessed 20 grams of pure methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and ammunition—all of which were discovered by law enforcement responding to an emergency call to his residence in Henryetta, Oklahoma, on March 8, 2021. At the plea hearing, Gordon also admitted to possessing the methamphetamine for distribution purposes.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Gordon will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Federal Jury Convicts for Unlawful Reentry of Removed AlienRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jesus Herrera-Salazar, age 41, of Rio Verde, Mexico was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien.
The jury trial began and concluded on June 13, 2023, with the guilty verdict.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Herrera-Salazar was an alien found in the Eastern District of Oklahoma after having been previously deported or removed from the United States. Herrera-Salazar had not received the consent of the proper legal authority to reapply for admission to the United States.
The guilty verdict was the result of investigations by the Heavener Police Department and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. The defendant will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.
Ada Resident Sentenced for Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Anthony Brian Walker, age 41, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life imprisonment for First-Degree Murder in Indian Country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On July 20, 2022, a federal jury found Walker guilty at trial of First-Degree Murder in Indian Country. At trial, the government presented evidence that on November 29, 2021, while the victim sat in a vehicle at a convenience store drive-through, Walker approached the vehicle and stabbed him in the heart. The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and sentencing hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Walker will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erin McKenzie represented the United States.
Wagoner Resident Sentenced for Assault with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Donald David Laverty, age 40, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 35 months imprisonment for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Wagoner Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On December 9, 2022, Laverty pleaded guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Laverty admitted to attacking a responding police officer with an axe. The crime occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Laverty will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen and Assistant United States Attorney Zack Parsons represented the United States.
Madill Resident Sentenced for Assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Paul Blagg, age 44, of Madill, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for intentionally assaulting another individual with a dangerous weapon.
The charges arose from investigations by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
On July 20, 2022, Blagg pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. According to court documents, on August 12, 2020, Blagg entered another individual’s residence and struck the victim multiple times with the stock of a shotgun. The crime occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearings in Oklahoma City. Blagg will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Wagoner County Resident Sentenced for Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lonnie Leonard Swarer, III, age 25, of Wagoner County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to probation for Manslaughter in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 17, 2022, Swarer entered a guilty plea to one count of Manslaughter in Indian Country. During the plea hearing, Swarer admitted that on June 13, 2020, he lost control of his vehicle while doing a burnout and crashed into another vehicle. A passenger in Swarer’s vehicle was killed in the collision. The crime occurred in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation.
The Honorable John. F. Heil, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing.
Wagoner County Homicide Sentencings CompletedRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Martha Christine Simpson, age 46, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, Jabaica Lee Tecumseh, age 43, of Morris, Oklahoma, and Tommy Glen Tecumseh, age 36, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a 2019 homicide.
Simpson was sentenced to 99 months for Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. Tommy Glen Tecumseh was sentenced to 120 months for one count of Murder in Indian Country. Jabaica Lee Tecumseh was sentenced to 169 months for one count of Murder in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Broken Arrow Police Department, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 4, 2022, a federal jury found Simpson guilty of one count of Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on July 15, 2019, Jabaica Lee Tecumseh and Tommy Glen Tecumseh beat the victim before Simpson fatally stabbed him in the neck. The crime occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation.
Tommy Glen Tecumseh and Jabaica Lee Tecumseh each pleaded guilty to Murder in Indian Country in February of 2021.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. The defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve non-paroleable sentences of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Satter represented the United States at the sentencing.
Spiro Resident Sentenced for ManslaughterRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Hunter Caleb Spence, age 20, of Spiro, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 42 months for manslaughter.
The charges arose from investigations by the Poteau Police Department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 9, 2022, Spence pleaded guilty to a Superseding Indictment charging him with one count of Manslaughter in Indian Country for killing another while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of one or more intoxicating substances.
On October 28, 2020, Spence flipped his car on US Highway 270, near Wister, Oklahoma while attempting to pass another vehicle. A passenger in Spence’s vehicle was ejected and died. Spence admitted to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper investigating the scene that he had smoked marijuana prior to the crash. Blood tests confirmed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his system. The crime occurred in Leflore County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Charles B. Goodwin, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Oklahoma City. Spence will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Satter represented the United States at the sentencing.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Nika Daniel Alexander, age 20, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 84 months for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The charge arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On October 21, 2021, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of Use, Carry, and Brandish of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. During the plea hearing, Alexander admitted that he participated in a robbery, during which he beat the victim, held a shotgun to his head, and took his wallet, necklace, and cell phone.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the sentencing hearing in Oklahoma City. Alexander will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Ada Resident Sentenced for Witness Tampering and Federal Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Timmie Lee Runnels, age 33, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for tampering with a witness in a federal case, and 10 years for being a felon in possession of ammunition, to run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Ada Police Department, the Coal County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 18, 2022, Timmie Lee Runnels pleaded guilty to one count of Tampering with a Witness and one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
During the plea hearing, Runnels admitted that on January 5, 2021, he was involved in an altercation in Ada, Oklahoma, during which Runnels fired a gun at another vehicle. Officers searched Runnels’ vehicle and located 41 rounds of ammunition. Runnels was a convicted felon at the time of the incident. The defendant also admitted that from April 2021 to September 2021, while in jail awaiting trial, he made telephone calls with the intent to keep a witness from testifying in his case.
“The defendant knowingly interfered with a federal investigation by attempting to prevent his victim from testifying,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold offenders like Mr. Runnels accountable, while ensuring victims are heard and supported.”
“The defendant, a violent felon, used a firearm and was found in possession of ammunition, then attempted to avoid prosecution by intimidating a witness,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “This type of behavior cannot—and will not—be tolerated. The twenty-year sentence imposed by the Court ensures that Runnels is off the streets and no longer a threat to the residents of the Eastern District.”
The Honorable Patrick R. Wyrick, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Runnels will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary W. Parsons represented the United States.
Rattan Resident Sentenced for Assault with A Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Marci Ann Weedon, age 46, of Rattan, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Pushmataha County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On June 16, 2022, Weedon pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Weedon admitted that on November 11, 2020, she approached a woman in the parking lot of a bar in Antlers, Oklahoma, and stabbed her twice in the chest. According to investigators, witnesses reported that Weedon stated she thought the victim was someone else before fleeing the scene on foot. Pushmataha County Sheriff’s deputies responding to the incident apprehended and arrested Weedon a short distance from the crime scene.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because the victim is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Pushmataha County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Weedon will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.
Atoka Resident Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bobby Joe Fulsom, Jr., age 47, of Atoka, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
On June 8, 2022, Fulsom pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. According to investigators, in August of 2021, Fulsom solicited and received pornographic images from a minor through Facebook. Facebook sent a cybertip to the NCMEC after identifying online images of child pornography on its platform. The NCMEC alerted the FBI, and after an investigation, agents located and arrested Fulsom.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Fulsom will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless and Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “Resources.”
If you have information about the physical or online exploitation of children, please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. You can also contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE–LOST (1-800-843-5678) or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
McCurtain County Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dalton Elzie Hunter, age 29, of McCurtain, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The charges arose from investigations by the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On April 13, 2022, Hunter pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. According to investigators, on October 26, 2021, Haskell County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on Hunter. During the stop, deputies discovered Hunter in possession of four firearms and determined he was a convicted felon.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Hunter will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Krebs Resident Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse of A Minor in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Roy Lee Roberts, Jr., age 37, of Krebs, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life imprisonment for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country, and 180 months imprisonment for one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
The charges arose from investigations by the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On November 16, 2022, Roberts was convicted by a federal jury. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that the defendant sexually abused two minors, one under the age of twelve.
"This office is committed to prosecuting individuals who prey on innocent and vulnerable children,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Because of the courage of the victims and the dedication of investigators and prosecutors in this case, Roberts is no longer free to victimize others.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted these cases because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by designation, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Roberts will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
Tahlequah Resident Sentenced for Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Keia Marie Beaver, age 33, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 64 months in prison for Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 9, 2022, Beaver pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Beaver admitted that on October 17, 2017, she shot and killed the victim in the heat of passion. The investigation revealed Beaver transported the victim to the hospital after the shooting and initially told law enforcement the gun accidentally went off while she was loading it. Later, Beaver admitted to shooting the victim during an argument.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Beaver will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Richard Lorenz represented the United States at sentencing.
Pontotoc County Resident Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lloyd Ray Hatley, age 68, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 29, 2022, a federal jury found Hatley guilty of involuntary manslaughter at trial. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on February 22, 2017, Hatley was driving on State Highway One in Pontotoc County when he rear-ended another vehicle. The investigation revealed that Hatley failed to brake until less than a second before impact. The collision killed a passenger in the other vehicle, and severely wounded the driver.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Charles B. Goodwin, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing in Oklahoma City. Hatley will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross and Special Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Ibanez represented the United States.
Ada Resident Sentenced for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Stephen Tanner Vineyard, age 31, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 200 months in prison for second degree murder.
The charges arose from investigations by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Ardmore Police Department, the Carter County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On May 10, 2022, Vineyard pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting a Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree. According to investigators, a 59-year-old Ardmore resident sustained multiple shotgun wounds in the early morning hours of June 30, 2014, and was left to die on her front porch. Years later, witnesses came forward and recounted statements Vineyard made at the time of the murder admitting his involvement.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because Vineyard is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Carter County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by designation, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. Vineyard will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Sallisaw Resident Sentenced for Arson in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Felicia Nicholl Bargar, age 35, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay $7,500.00 in restitution for committing Arson in Indian Country.
The charges arose from investigations by the Sallisaw Police Department, the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On May 6, 2022, Bargar pleaded guilty to willfully and maliciously setting fire to and burning a dwelling. According to investigators, in October 2020, Bargar intentionally set fire to a trailer house she was renting after receiving an eviction notice.
“I am thankful for the cooperative investigative work of law enforcement which resulted in the defendant being brought to justice for her senseless and malicious acts," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted this case because the defendant is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Sequoyah County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Charles B. Goodwin, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing in Oklahoma City. Bargar will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.