Eastern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Oklahoma Resident Pleads Guilty to Felony AssaultRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Drake Ryan Allen, age 21, an Oklahoma resident, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on January 15, 2025, Allen assaulted the victim, resulting in serious bodily injury. The crime occurred in Adair County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Allen was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tyson Gene Williams, age 45, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment charged Williams with knowingly possessing two semi-automatic pistols and 27 rounds of ammunition on April 19, 2025, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Checotah Police Department.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Williams will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Hugo Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Machine GunRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that John Thomas Worthy, age 51, of Hugo, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of a Machine Gun, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment charged that on January 21, 2025, Worthy knowingly possessed a firearm that had been modified to shoot more than one round of ammunition by a single function of the trigger without manual reloading.
The charge arose from an investigation by 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, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Worthy will remain free on a personal recognizance bond pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Choctaw County Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jimmy Dale Kelley, a/k/a Jimmy Dale Kelly, a/k/a Jimmy Dale Robinson, age 38, of Grant, Oklahoma, was sentenced to time served for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office.
On May 27, 2025, Kelley pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on August 9, 2024, deputies responding to a reported shooting discovered Kelley in possession of a .357 Magnum revolver and spent rounds of ammunition. At the time of the incident, Kelley had been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
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 hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Texas Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ronald James Yates, age 60, of Tyler, Texas, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, punishable by 10 years to life in prison and a $10,000,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on February 24, 2025, Yates knowingly and intentionally possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, intending to distribute it.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Hugo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Yates will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Stillwell Resident Sentenced for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kimberly Dawn Ball-Gilbert, a/k/a Kimberly Dawn Gilbert, a/k/a Kimberly Ball, age 43, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for one count of Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country, to be followed by three years of Supervised Release.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.
On March 19, 2025, Ball-Gilbert pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 17, 2023, Ball-Gilbert joined Mose Adam Smith in beating the victim during a fight that left the victim with blunt force trauma and fatal injuries. Ball-Gilbert then stole the victim’s truck and fled the state with Smith. They were apprehended ten days later by law enforcement in Illinois. On April 10, 2025, Smith was found guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country by a federal jury at trial. Smith was sentenced to 121 months in prison on September 17, 2025.
The crime occurred in Sequoyah County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
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 hearing. Ball-Gilbert will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick M. Flanigan and Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Mexican National 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 Luciano Rodriguez, age 45, a Mexican national, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment charged Rodriguez with knowingly and unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic pistol from which the serial number had been removed, obliterated, or altered.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Rodriguez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Alain Sanchez-Lopez, a/k/a Enrique Sanchez-Malpicha, a/k/a Jesus Rico-Lopez, a/k/a Jesus Perez-Rico, a/k/a Alain De Jesus Sanchez-Lopez, age 39, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Indictment alleged that on July 15, 2025, Sanchez-Lopez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on November 6, 2015, February 14, 2016, March 29, 2016, and April 13, 2016.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Sanchez-Lopez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Okmulgee Resident Found Guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs and Illegally Possessing Firearms, Machine Gun, and SilencersRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA —The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jason Dale Cole, age 46, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was found guilty at trial by a federal jury on ten counts of federal drug and firearm charges.
At trial, the federal jury found Cole guilty of:
- Two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine,
- One count of Possession of a Machine Gun,
- Two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm,
- Two counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime,
- One count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana,
- One count of Possession of Unregistered Firearm,
- One count of Maintaining Drug Involved Premises.
The jury trial began with testimony on September 29, 2025, and concluded on October 1, 2025, with the guilty verdicts.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that in the early hours of November 18, 2023, an OHP trooper conducting a traffic stop discovered Cole in possession of two loaded pistols—one with a machinegun conversion device—and over 50 grams of methamphetamine individually packaged for distribution.
The United States also presented evidence of a search conducted later that same morning on Cole’s Okmulgee residence. There, law enforcement officers serving a search warrant found over 500 grams of methamphetamine and a large quantity of marijuana, both federally controlled substances, as well as scales covered in a crystal residue that later tested positive for methamphetamine, approximately $12,000 in cash, a money counting machine, seven firearms, and five unregistered silencers.
The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
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 trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Cole will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals until sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarrod A. Leaman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Benjamin Vasquez-Hernandez, a/k/a Benjamin Vasquez, a/k/a Benjamin Santiago Vasquez, age 53, a Honduran national unlawfully present in Muskogee, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
The Indictment alleged that on July 31, 2025, Vasquez-Hernandez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on September 13, 2019.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Vasquez-Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Adair County Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing 244 FirearmsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that James Michael Young, Jr., age 43, of Bunch, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, punishable by statutory up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment charged Young with knowingly possessing 244 firearms and 40 rounds of ammunition on October 29, 2024, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The charge arose from an investigation by 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, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Young will remain on bond with conditions of release pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Pryor Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Jason Sanders, age 44, of Pryor, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment charged Sanders with knowingly possessing two semi-automatic pistols and 96 rounds of ammunition on May 5, 2025, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Sanders will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tommy Lynn Byrd, Jr., age 37, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on January 9, 2025, Byrd assaulted the victim, resulting in serious bodily injury.
The crime occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muskogee Police Department.
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Byrd will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Gross and Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
U.S. Attorney and ATF Announce Results of Operation Take Back America InitiativeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Christopher J. Wilson, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and ATF Dallas Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ashley Stephens joined state, local, and tribal law enforcement to announce the results of ATF’s focus on the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhood Initiatives by the Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crime Task Force (EOVCTF) to combat violent crime in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
In announcing the successes of the operation, the ATF and U.S. Attorney came together to recognize and thank participating agencies for their exceptional commitment and partnership.
“This operation demonstrates that when law enforcement stands united at every level, criminals lose,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Department of Justice is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our federal, state, Tribal, and local law enforcement partners as part of Operation Take Back America. And by leveraging our combined resources and resolve, we are not only removing dangerous individuals and organizations from our streets but also reaffirming our commitment to protecting the safety and wellbeing of all Americans.”
“We’ve long known that achieving true success in public safety is dependent on developing and maintaining partnerships between law enforcement agencies,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “By leveraging these relationships, our communities are safer because we have more resources dedicated to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who commit violent crimes. I am proud to be here today to celebrate those partnerships and to express my appreciation to the agencies which are collectively making a tremendous impact in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
“This unprecedented outcome is a direct result of the unwavering commitment, strategic coordination, and shared mission among our federal, state, tribal and local partners; taking hundreds of crime guns off the streets and dismantling large-scale drug and explosive operations saves lives,” said ATF Dallas Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ashley Stephens. “These statistics represent more than just numbers, they reflect safer communities, fewer victims, and a clear message to those who threaten public safety. The Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crime Task Force has become a model of effective interagency cooperation. Through their collective efforts, this operation disrupted criminal organizations with deep ties to violent crime, drug trafficking, illegal firearms distribution, and explosive manufacturing.”
The results of the operation by EOVCTF include seizure of the largest homemade explosives laboratory in recent Oklahoma history, significant quantities of drugs, firearms, and illegal cash, including:
- 23 pounds of methamphetamine
- 100 pounds of marijuana
- 15 pounds of cocaine
- 5 pounds of anabolic steroids
- Significant quantities of MDMA, LSD, heroin, and fentanyl
- Over $270,000 in U.S. currency
- and 606 crime guns — many connected to violent felons and organized criminal networks.
These seizures led to 108 individuals being indicted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The charges filed are serious and extensive. They include:
- Murder
- Robbery by Force or Fear
- Arson
- Hobbs Act Robbery
- Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Bodily Injury
- Drug Conspiracy
- Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Controlled Drugs
- Trafficking in Firearms
- Possession of Machine Guns
- and Prohibited Persons in Possession of Firearms/Ammunition and/or Explosives.
Together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the ATF Muskogee Field Office serves all 26 counties within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, a region with deep roots in cultural and historical significance, and the headquarters of the Five Tribes – the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole Nations.
The success of ATF’s focus on the Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhood Initiatives is a testament to strong partnerships. Working together under the motto, “One Team, One Fight”, the following agencies each collaborated, sharing personnel and resources in support of this effort:
- The Adair County Sheriff’s Office
- The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
- The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service
- The Durant Police Department
- The Hugo Police Department
- The Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department
- The Muskogee Fire Department
- The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office
- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol
- The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office
- and the Tahlequah Fire Department.
Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Five Indicted on Drug Conspiracy and Drug-Related ChargesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Anthony Wayne Schoggins, age 40, of McAlester, Oklahoma, Gabrielle Ralene Dawn Brown, age 30, of McAlester, Oklahoma, John Douglas Renkes, age 38, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Charlie Dawn Edwards, age 45, of McAlester, Oklahoma, and Gerardo Cisneros Jr., age 49, of McAlester, Oklahoma, were each indicted for Drug Conspiracy, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000,000 fine.
In addition to the Drug Conspiracy charges, three defendants face additional charges: Schoggins and Brown are charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine, punishable by not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to a $5,000,000 fine; and Edwards is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and up to a $1,000,000 fine.
The Indictment alleges that beginning in or about March 2025 and continuing until on or about the date of the indictment, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendants willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States, namely the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The Indictment further alleges that on or about June 1, 2025, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Schoggins and Brown knowingly and intentionally possessed 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, both Schedule II controlled substances, with intent to distribute.
Finally, the Indictment alleges that on or about June 9, 2025, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Edwards knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charges arose from a joint investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration-McAlester Resident Office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the McAlester Police Department, and the District 18 Drug Task Force.
A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt. A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant. All defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
Oklahoma Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering Checotah WomanRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE , OKLAHOMA – David Deval Martin, age 40, of McIntosh County, Oklahoma, was sentenced - for a second time - to life in prison for the vicious 2013 murder of a Checotah woman.
In 2016, Martin was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole after a state jury trial held in the District Court of McIntosh County, Oklahoma. That conviction was vacated after the Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, because Martin is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation. Martin was subsequently charged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and a federal jury found Martin guilty on one count of Murder in Indian Country in October 2024.
According to court documents, on Nov. 7, 2013, Martin viciously beat and stabbed the victim - whom he had previously dated - causing over 109 separate injuries to her head and neck. The medical examiner estimated that it would have taken Martin “20 to 30 [minutes] or longer” to inflict these wounds, and that the victim was alive, and likely conscious, for much of her own murder. Just hours before Martin killed the victim, he was seen threatening her at a local convenience store by pointing his fingers at her head in the shape of a gun.
At the scene of the crime, investigators recovered Martin’s DNA mixed with the victim’s own blood from the front door of the home, and Martin’s fingerprint on the handle of a metal rod used to beat the victim. Martin’s DNA was also recovered from the steering wheel of the victim’s abandoned car.
This case was investigated by the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The defendant in this case brutally murdered his victim in cold blood,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti. “By retrying the case and securing a life sentence for the Defendant, the Department of Justice has demonstrated our commitment to seeking justice for the victims of violent crime in Indian Country.”
“The defendant’s heinous crime was deserving of the life sentence imposed by the Court,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “I am grateful for the thorough work of investigators and the skilled presentation of the evidence by colleagues from the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. Their collective efforts were vital in securing justice for the victim’s family.”
“Thanks to the work of the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS), the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and FBI Oklahoma City, this depraved and merciless killer has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in federal prison,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “Today’s sentencing underscores the FBI’s dedication to working with our partners and achieving justice for victims of violent crimes in Indian Country.”
“The OSBI appreciates the great work conducted by our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation,” said Hunter McKee, Public Information Manager with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. “Obtaining justice for the victim and their family is crucial for all agencies involved. We are thankful for everyone’s dedication and commitment.”
Martin will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Trial Attorneys Jared A. Hernandez and Brian W. Lynch from the Department of VCRS represented the United States. This case represents the last indictment that has been a part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section McGirt project, in which the Criminal Division partnered with the Eastern District of Oklahoma to prosecute murder cases in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma.
Okmulgee Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Deaundray Chrisshawn Williams, age 35, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment charged Williams with knowingly possessing a revolver on December 15, 2024, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Okmulgee Police Department.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Williams was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced to Ten Years for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Mose Adam Smith, age 43, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for one count of Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country, to be followed by three years of Supervised Release.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.
On April 10, 2025, Smith was found guilty by a federal jury at trial. According to investigators, on July 17, 2023, Smith struck the victim during an altercation at the victim’s Sallisaw residence. The victim died from blunt force trauma and injuries sustained in the fight. Smith and co-defendant Kimberly Dawn Ball-Gilbert fled the state in the victim’s truck and were apprehended ten days later by law enforcement in Illinois. The crime occurred in Sequoyah County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
On March 19, 2025, Ball-Gilbert, age 42, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to an Information of one count of Voluntary Manslaughter. At her plea hearing, Ball-Gilbert admitted to aiding and abetting Smith’s actions in causing the victim’s death. Sentencing for Ball-Gilbert has not yet been scheduled.
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 hearing. Smith will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick M. Flanigan and Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Okmulgee Resident Sentenced for StalkingRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Garrick DaVaughn McCrary, age 30, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for one count of Stalking.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department.
On May 9, 2025, McCrary pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, from April 2023 until January 16, 2025, McCrary used the internet and social media apps to send graphic messages designed to injure, harass, and intimidate the victim.
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 hearing. McCrary will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Okmulgee Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Sterling Ross, IV, age 32, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Okmulgee Police Department.
On March 12, 2025, Ross pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on April 29, 2024, Ross ran a stop sign, then attempted to evade police. Ross then led police on a high-speed chase through Okmulgee before fleeing the vehicle, leaving with the engine running and the doors open. While securing the vehicle, police discovered a Glock magazine with 12 rounds of ammunition. Ross had previously been convicted a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment at the time he possessed the ammunition.
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 strengthening PSN based on these core principles: 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 U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Ross will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Murray County Resident Sentenced for Assault with A Dangerous Weapon and Eluding A Peace OfficerRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jayson Geoffrey Evans, age 51, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country and 46 months in prison for one count of Eluding Peace Officer in Indian Country. The Court ordered the sentences to be served concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, the National Parks Service, and the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department.
On May 7, 2025, Evans pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on December 30, 2023, Evans fled from a Trooper during a roadside traffic stop, leading law enforcement on a chase at speeds reaching 90 mph. During the pursuit, Evans threw road-spikes—known as caltrops—into the path of the pursuing law enforcement, causing damage to a law enforcement vehicle and two civilian vehicles. Evans was taken into custody but failed to appear to face charges, eluding law enforcement for over a year until his campsite was discovered in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in April of 2025. The crimes occurred in Murray County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the American people. Harming, or attempting to harm them for doing their job is completely unacceptable,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “For nearly two years, this dangerous fugitive went to extreme lengths to evade justice, but he was not successful. I appreciate the efforts of the FBI Oklahoma City JTTF, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, the National Parks Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who brought this case to a resolution.”
“Evans’ brazen and reckless acts endangered law enforcement and the public,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “I commend the collaborative work of troopers, rangers, deputies, officers, agents, and prosecutors for their tireless efforts in locating and bringing the defendant to justice.”
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 hearing. Evans will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jarrod Leaman represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jose Luis Jimenez-Hernandez, a/k/a Jose Luis Jiminez-Hernandez, age 45, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
The Indictment alleged that on July 24, 2025, Jimenez-Hernandez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on January 10, 2012, June 14, 2013, and October 25, 2013.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jimenez-Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Carlos Arturo Cahuex-Martinez, a/k/a Carlos Arturo Cahuex, a/k/a Carlos Cahuex-Martinez, a/k/a Carlos Martinez, age 45, a Guatemalan national unlawfully present in Wagoner, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
The Indictment alleged that on July 22, 2025, Cahuex-Martinez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on July 3, 2018, November 13, 2018, and January 26, 2022.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Cahuex-Martinez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Bryan County Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justin Eagle Chambers, age 39, of Colbert, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of Firearm & Ammunition by Prohibited Person, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on March 26, 2025, Chambers knowingly possessed a pistol and ammunition after a hearing in which he received actual notice of being subject to a court order restraining him from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury, and which by its terms explicitly prohibited the use, attempted use, or threatened used of physical force.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Achille Police Department.
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Chambers will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
North Carolina Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Distribution CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Samy Zrida, age 43, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, punishable by a minimum of ten years in prison and a $10,000,000.00 fine, and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, punishable by a minimum of ten years in prison and a $10,000,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on January 28, 2025, Zrida knowingly and intentionally possessed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances, intending to distribute them.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Zrida will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.
Love County Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dustin Scott Langley, age 32, of Overbrook, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, punishable by up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on July 2, 2025, Langley knowingly possessed visual depictions of a minor who had not attained twelve years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which Langley accessed with the intent to view.
The charge arose from an investigation by 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, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Langley will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Fredis Amilcar Guiza Hernandez, a/k/a Fredis Amilcar Guiza-Hernandez, age 34, of Honduras, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, punishable by 5 to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on October 6, 2024, Guiza Hernandez knowingly and intentionally possessed 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, with intent to distribute it.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Guiza Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Wagoner Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tyson Gene Goins, age 21, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine, and one count of Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment or Information, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment charged Goins with knowingly possessing two semi-automatic pistols on April 19, 2025, knowing and having reasonable cause that the firearms were stolen.
The Indictment also alleged that on April 6, 2025, Goins received the same two firearms while under Indictment and Information for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Checotah Police Department.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Goins will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Texas Resident Sentenced for Conspiring to Defraud the Chickasaw Nation Department of HealthRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nnamdi Felix Udeagha, age 39, of Humble, Texas, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and ordered to pay $214,908.34 in restitution.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On February 5, 2025, Udeagha pleaded guilty to the charge. Between April and December of 2021, Udeagha conspired with others to obtain money and property from the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health through materially false and fraudulent pretenses. According to investigators, the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health received emails claiming to be from a legitimate vendor with instructions to wire payments to certain bank accounts. It was later determined the emails were created and sent by a member of the conspiracy, and the bank accounts were opened by conspirators to receive and distribute the fraudulently obtained funds. Udeagha facilitated the fraud by providing the bank account information to the co-conspirator who sent the bogus emails to the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health.
“This defendant tried to hide in the shadows of the internet to steal money from the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health, which was needed for vital medical programs and services,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “The FBI is committed to holding fraudsters accountable for the harm they cause the American people and our government institutions.”
“Fraudsters like the defendant employ email compromise schemes to prey on even the most sophisticated business enterprises,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “I commend the FBI for the skilled investigative work which uncovered Udeagha’s criminal enterprise, and the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health for its work with law enforcement. This sentence demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to pursuing white collar criminals who seek to exploit businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.”
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 hearing. Udeagha will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara Traster and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
McCurtain County Resident Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Allan Wayne Hilton, a/k/a Alan Wayne Hilton, a/k/a Terry L. Leonard, a/k/a Allen Wayne Hilton, age 67, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Failure to Register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that Hilton was required to register as a sex offender after being convicted of three counts of Rape in Miller County, Arkansas, on February 25, 1993, and that from June 20, 2023, until June 10, 2025, Hilton failed to register and update his registration despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force.
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Hilton will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Wittlinger and Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Luis Cuellar-Martinez, a/k/a Luis Cueller, a/k/a Luis Martinez, a/k/a Luis Martinez Cueller, age 32, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Poteau, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The Indictment alleged that on July 31, 2025, Cuellar-Martinez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed in 2014.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violehttps://Operation Take Back Americant crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Cuellar-Martinez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Federal Jury Convicts Weleetka Resident of MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Michael Wayne Lambert, age 56, of Weleetka, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of charges relating to an Okfuskee County murder in 2024.
The federal jury returned a guilty verdict on three charges: one count of Murder in Indian Country, punishable by life imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine; one count of Use, Carry, Brandish and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, punishable by up to ten years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine; and one count of Causing the Death of a Person in the Course of a Violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), punishable by up to life imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine.
The jury trial began with testimony on September 8, 2025, and concluded on September 11, 2025, with the guilty verdicts.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on June 30, 2024, Lambert unlawfully killed the victim with premeditation and malice aforethought. At trial, the Government presented evidence that Lambert shot the victim multiple times on the stairs of an Okemah apartment complex, then fled the scene. The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Okemah Police Department, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
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 trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Lambert was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals until sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Ryan Conway represented the United States.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
An Oklahoma man was sentenced last week to 10 years in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, Thomas Edward Gailus, 52, of Webber Falls, Oklahoma, used the dark web to access child sexual abuse material, which he collected in large quantities, including child sexual abuse material featuring prepubescent minors. Gailus had previously been convicted in 2005 of possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and communication with a minor for immoral purposes in Washington State. At the time of the search of his home in 2023, Gailus possessed or accessed with intent to view child sexual abuse files with the same series title as the images that he was convicted of possessing in 2005.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Goodwater of the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Pippin for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was a part of Operation Grayskull, a highly successful joint effort between the Department of Justice and the FBI, led by the FBI Child Exploitation Operation Unit. Operation Grayskull resulted in the dismantling of four dark web sites dedicated to images and videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Okemah 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 Jeffrey Gilbert Franklin, Jr., age 50, of Okemah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to thirty-three months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Okemah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 9, 2025, Franklin pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on April 25, 2024, police conducting a traffic stop discovered Franklin in possession of a baggie containing approximately 36 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. After Franklin’s arrest and booking, Franklin made calls from jail coordinating distribution of methamphetamine.
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 hearing. Franklin will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Catherine Victoria Rogers, age 52, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to two years’ probation for one count of Acquiring Hydrocodone by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Forgery, and Deception.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General.
On October 23, 2024, Rogers pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, between August and November 2023, while serving as a nurse with the VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Rogers removed approximately 132 pills of Hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, from the medical center’s medication storage and distribution system for her personal benefit.
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 hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Cornell and Joshua Satter represented the United States.
Johnston County Resident Sentenced for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lance Alden Whelchel, age 31, of Wapanucka, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Harris County Texas Sheriff’s Office.
On February 20, 2025, Whelchel pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, Whelchel is required to register as a sex offender because he was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma on May 24, 2023. From July 5, 2024, until September 12, 2024, Whelchel failed to register or update his registration despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
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 hearing. Whelchel will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gustavo Olivares-Ramirez, a/k/a Rogelio Madrigal, a/k/a Gustavo Olivares, a/k/a Gustavo Ramirez Olivares, age 54, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Heavener Police Department.
The Indictment alleged that on June 3, 2025, Olivares-Ramirez, an alien previously removed on November 12, 1997, was found in the United States without having obtained the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Olivares-Ramirez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dak T. Cohen and Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Broken Bow Resident Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of A ChildRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dylan Hansen Yazzie, age 29, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 180 months in prison for one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce a Visual Depiction.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Broken Bow Police Department.
On February 13, 2025, Yazzie pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, between July of 2023 and September of 2023, Yazzie coerced or induced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction to transmit in interstate or foreign commerce. The crime occurred in McCurtain County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in 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.
We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.com, through the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or through Homeland Security Investigations at 1-877-4-HSI TIP.
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 hearing. Yazzie will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
Federal Jury Convicts LeFlore County Resident on Two Counts of Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Kenny Ray Smith, age 62, of Whitesboro, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
The jury trial began with testimony on September 2, 2025, and concluded on September 4, 2025, with the guilty verdicts.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on two separate occasions, Smith was responsible for the sale of methamphetamine during the course of two undercover drug operations. The Government presented evidence that on June 27, 2024, Smith conducted a sale for 27.85 grams of methamphetamine in a controlled buy during an undercover investigation by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN). The Government also presented evidence that on July 9, 2024, Smith conducted a sale for 52.9 grams of methamphetamine in a controlled buy during an undercover investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the OBN.
The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the District 16 District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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 ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Smith was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals until sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Howanitz and Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Sentenced for Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeffry Gabriel Zamora-Pineda, age 33, a Honduran national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, was sentenced to time served for one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Environmental Protection Agency.
On April 22, 2025, Zamora-Pineda pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on March 19, 2025, Zamora-Pineda, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 2019 without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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 hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan W. Howanitz and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Cherokee 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 Timothy Allen Truelove, age 50, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Cherokee Nation Office of the Attorney General.
On April 7, 2025, Truelove pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on January 24, 2024, Truelove knowingly possessed 179 rounds of ammunition, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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 hearing. Truelove will report to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility on October 3, 2025, to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Hugo Residents Sentenced for Interstate Transport of Stolen GoodsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Matthew Carl Wilson, age 38, and Candice Marie Logan, age 35, of Hugo, Oklahoma, were each sentenced in federal district court for transporting stolen goods across state lines.
On April 3, 2025, Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Goods. On August 8, 2025, Wilson was sentenced to 30 months in prison and court-ordered restitution of $285,749.45.
On April 15, 2025, Logan pleaded guilty to one Count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Goods. On August 19, 2025, Logan was sentenced to 8 months in prison and court-ordered restitution of $45,067.00.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department, and the Paris, Texas Police Department.
According to investigators, on January 16, 2024, Wilson and Logan knowingly transported stolen industrial radio equipment from Hugo, Oklahoma, to Paris, Texas.
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 hearing. Wilson and Logan will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Wagoner County Resident Pleads Guilty to Felony Assault and Federal Firearm CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kelly Justin Van Lewis, age 35, of Coweta, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine, and one count of Possession of Ammunition While Subject to Protective Order, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on April 30, 2024, Lewis assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, intending to do bodily harm. The Indictment further alleged that on July 2, 2025, Lewis knowingly possessed 990 rounds of assorted ammunition shipped and transported in interstate commerce despite knowing he was subject to a court order restraining him from attempting, threatening, or committing domestic violence, stalking, or abuse against an intimate partner.
The crimes occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Coweta Police Department.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, 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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Lewis will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Cherokee County Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kenny Ray Jackson, age 65, of Park Hill, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 11, 2025, Jackson pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 29, 2024, Jackson knowingly possessed a semi-automatic rifle, a lever action rifle, and a break open shotgun, together with 54 rounds of assorted caliber ammunition, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
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 strengthening PSN based on these core principles: 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 U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Jackson was ordered to self-report on September 19, 2025, to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Wagoner Resident Sentenced to Fourteen Years for Child NeglectRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Salasha Fae Bosley, age 26, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for each of two counts of Child Neglect in Indian Country. The counts were ordered to run concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On December 12, 2024, Bosley pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, between September 2023 and June 16, 2024, Bosley failed to provide two children with adequate nurturance, affection, food, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, medical care, supervision, and sanitary living conditions while responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the children. One of the children sustained life threatening injuries because of the neglect which will require lifetime medical intervention.
The crimes occurred in Wagoner County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“The defendant willfully and shamefully put two innocent children at grave risk by neglecting to provide for their most basic needs,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “Cases like this are among the most difficult to investigate, and collaboration from our partner agencies is vital to achieving justice. I’m thankful for the efforts of everyone involved to ensure the defendant will not be able to inflict further harm on these children.”
“The appalling neglect these children endured is inexcusable,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “I wish to thank the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their tireless work to rescue these children from deplorable treatment and living conditions. We are proud to stand with our law enforcement partners to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and hold offenders accountable.”
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.
Bosley was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Tahlequah 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 Laura Gema Carroll, age 36, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tahlequah Police Department.
On March 19, 2025, Carroll pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on June 12, 2024, Carroll possessed one semi-automatic pistol and five rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
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 strengthening PSN based on these core principles: 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 U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Gross and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Augustin Borja-Gaona, a/k/a Augustine Borja, a/k/a Augustine Bara, a/k/a Agustin Borja, a/k/a Augustin Gaona Borja, a/k/a Austin Borja, a/k/a Austin Gaona Borja, a/k/a Agustin Borja-Gaona, a/k/a Genaro Borja-Reynoso, age 56, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office.
The Indictment alleged that Borja-Gaona, an alien previously removed in 1999, 2002, 2007, and 2012, was found in the United States on March 19, 2025, without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Borja-Gaona will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Hartshorne Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm and Explosives ChargesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kelly Von Morck, age 35, of Hartshorne, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to two counts of Unlawful User of Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and one count of User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of Explosive.
The Superseding Indictment alleged that on October 20, 2024, Von Morck, knowing that he was an unlawful user and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 revolver, a 16-gauge shotgun, a .38 caliber revolver, a .30-06 caliber rifle, and 559 rounds of assorted ammunition, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The Superseding Indictment further alleged that on June 26, 2025, Von Morck, knowing that he was an unlawful user and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 82 rounds of assorted ammunition, which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
Lastly, the Superseding Indictment alleged that on October 20, 2024, Von Morck, knowing he was an unlawful user of and addicted to a controlled substance, knowingly possessed an explosive which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Hartshorne Police Department, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Bomb Squad, 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, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Von Morck will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Sequoyah County Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joseph Charles Riddle, age 35, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to eighteen months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and eighteen months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The Court ordered the terms to be served concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
On May 5, 2025, Riddle pleaded guilty to the charges.
According to investigators, between January 17, 2024, and August 2024, Riddle knowingly possessed a pump action rifle, a pump action shotgun, a bolt action rifle, and 15 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. Investigators also determined that on January 6, 2025, Riddle knowingly possessed 20 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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. Riddle will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Okemah Resident Pleads Guilty to Accessory After the FactRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Sejaryee Lee Bear, age 41, of Okemah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Accessory After the Fact to Murder in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Superseding Indictment alleged that on June 30, 2024, knowing that the offense of Murder in Indian Country had been committed, Bear assisted Michael Wayne Lambert in order to hinder and prevent Lambert’s apprehension, trial, and punishment.
The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Okemah Police Department, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
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.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Bear was released on bond with conditions pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lewis M. Reagan and Ryan F. Conway represented the United States.