Eastern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
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 Kender Jose Alvarez-Hernandez, a/k/a Kender Alvarez-Hernandez, age 21, a Guatemalan 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 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 Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Indictment alleged that on June 17, 2025, Alvarez-Hernandez, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 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 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.
Alvarez-Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dak T. Cohen and Richard J. Lorenz 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 Mariano Gabriel-Gabriel, a/k/a Mariana Gabriel, a/k/a Gabriel Mariano, age 28, 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 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 June 30, 3035, Gabriel-Gabriel, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 2017 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 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.
Gabriel-Gabriel will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Henryetta Resident Pleads Guilty to Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Matthew Wayne Wasson, age 31, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, punishable by no less than ten years and up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on October 3, 2024, Wasson knowingly and intentionally distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
Wasson will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Broken Arrow Resident Sentenced for Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dale Lynn Taylor, age 60, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of 30 months in prison, followed by 10 years of Supervised Release, for one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force.
On March 19, 2025, Taylor pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, Taylor was convicted of Rape-Second Degree in the State of Oklahoma on May 28, 2014, and was required to register as a sex offender, and that from April 2, 2019, until July 8, 2024, Taylor failed to register and update his registration despite entering, leaving, or residing in Indian country, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Taylor 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 Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Wewoka 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 Erin Nicole Hodge, age 30, of Wewoka, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on February 10, 2024, Hodge assaulted a victim, resulting in serious bodily injury.
The crime occurred in Seminole County, within the boundaries of the Seminole Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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.
Hodge was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan E. Soverly and Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Okmulgee Resident Pleads Guilty to Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Darin Treyvon Miles, a/k/a Elmo, age 21, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Robbery in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on May 8, 2025, Miles, by force, violence, and intimidation, took items of value from the victim.
The crime occurred in Okmulgee 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 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal 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.
Miles will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan E. Soverly and Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.
Okemah Resident Sentenced for Felony AssaultRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gregory Dwayne Guinn, a/k/a Gregory Dewayne Guinn, age 24, of Okemah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and to 120 months in prison for one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence. The Court ordered those terms to be served consecutively.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On February 5, 2025, Guinn pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on January 15, 2024, Guinn drove by the Okemah residence of an acquaintance, fired multiple rounds at the house from his vehicle, then fled. One resident was struck in the drive-by-shooting. The crimes occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
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 John Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Guinn 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 Jacob R. Parker, Patrick M. Flanigan, and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Muldrow Resident Sentenced for Child AbuseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that James Dean Bledsoe, age 32, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for three counts of Child Abuse in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muldrow Police Department.
On March 12, 2025, Bledsoe pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, between January 1, 2024, and September 24, 2024, Bledsoe restrained and covered the faces of three children entrusted to his care, causing them to be unable to breathe. Bledsoe also punished the children by spraying them with cold water and withholding food. The crimes 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. Bledsoe 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.
Mounds Resident Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ned Elmer Johnson, age 36, of Mounds, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that from April 2021 until April 2023, Johnson knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a person who had attained the age of 12 years but not yet attained the age of 16 years and was at least four years younger than Johnson.
The crime occurred in Okmulgee 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 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal 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.
Johnson will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
McAlester Resident Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Martin Ray Melton, age 60, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that Melton was convicted of 31 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child by the State of Oklahoma in Oklahoma County on January 31, 2006, and was required to register as a sex offender, and that from September 11, 2023, until April 15, 2025, Melton 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 Crime Fugitive Task Force.
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.
Melton will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Emily Wittlinger 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 Pedro Eligio-Salinas, age 44, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Oklahoma, was sentenced to 6 months in prison 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.
On April 14, 2025, Eligio-Salinas pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on March 27, 2025, Eligio-Salinas, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 2011, and 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 John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Eligio-Salinas 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 Dak T. Cohen and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Idabel Resident Sentenced for Stealing Firearm from Federally Licensed Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that J’Quarius J’Vontay Austin, age 18, of Idabel, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for one count of Stealing Firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Broken Bow Police Department, and the Idabel Police Department.
On March 24, 2025, Austin pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on December 23, 2024, Austin and others burglarized a Broken Bow gun and pawn shop and stole 18 firearms and ammunition. Law enforcement recovered four of the stolen firearms while investigating a shootout in Idabel that occurred three days after the Broken Bow theft.
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. Austin 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 Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Brandon Leal Castro, age 34, of Mexico, entered a guilty plea to an Information charging him with one count of Receipt of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison.
The Information alleged that on November 14, 2024, Castro knowingly received a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct through the internet.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the District 16 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
Castro will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Illegal Alien Sentenced for Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Salvador Diaz-Hermosillo, age 39, a Mexican national unlawfully present in the United States, was sentenced to 6 months in prison for one count of Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Sallisaw Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.
On March 12, 2025, Diaz-Hermosillo pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on January 31, 2025, Diaz-Hermosillo, an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, who knew of his status, knowingly possessed a semi-automatic rifle within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Illegal aliens are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5).
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. Diaz-Hermosillo 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 Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Federal Jury Convicts Sequoyah County Resident of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Justin Floyd Qualls, a/k/a Jay Qualls, age 40, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.
The jury trial began with testimony on August 5, 2025, and concluded on August 7, 2025, with the guilty verdict.
During the trial, the United States presented evidence that in May 2024, Qualls knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a child who had not attained 12 years of age. The crime occurred in Adair County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The guilty verdict was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Timothy M. Reif, U.S. Judge for the United States Court of International Trade, sitting by assignment 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. Qualls will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals until sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.
Three Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Plead Guilty to Federal Drug Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that three co-conspirators entered guilty pleas in federal court to felony charges.
John Lamar Clayton, age 46, of Fort Coffee, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Drug Conspiracy on July 16, 2025.
Brian Lee Steele, age 45, of Fort Coffee, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of one count of Drug Conspiracy on July 24, 2025.
Brandon Leal Castro, age 34, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of Drug Conspiracy on July 24, 2025.
Conspiracy to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine is punishable by ten years to life in prison and a $50,000,000 fine.
The Indictment against the co-conspirators alleged that between October 2024, and November 14, 2024, Clayton, Steele, Castro, and others knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the District 16 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the pleas on each defendant and ordered the completion of presentence investigation reports. A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendants will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the United States.
Muskogee 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 Dewayne Tyree Miller, a/k/a Dejuan Tyree Miller, age 28, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On March 3, 2025, Miller pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 17, 2024, Miller admitted to possessing methamphetamine after officers conducting a routine traffic stop discovered Miller in possession of two baggies containing approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine and $950.00 in cash.
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. Miller 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 Jacob R. Parker and Jonathan E. Soverly 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 Victoriano Ponce-Garcia, age 53, a Mexican 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 Coalgate Police Department.
On May 27, 2025, Ponce-Garcia pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on April 11, 2025, Ponce-Garcia, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed in 2009 and in 2020 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 Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Bryan County 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 Sammy Lynn Key, age 45, of Colbert, 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 Key with knowingly possessing a .38 Special caliber revolver on September 23, 2022, 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 Atoka 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.
Key will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan E. Soverly and Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Okemah 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 Eric Jason Franklin, age 53, of Okemah, 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 Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 17, 2025, Franklin pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 15, 2024, law enforcement discovered Franklin in possession of a pump action shotgun and 15 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
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.
Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justin Janae Stancle, age 34, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, punishable by up to fifteen years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on February 21, 2025, Stancle knowingly possessed an automatic pistol and fourteen rounds of ammunition 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 Muskogee 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.
Stancle will remain out on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Former NFL Player Convicted of Operating Large-Scale Dog Fighting and Trafficking Venture in OklahomaRead the Press Release
Note: The release has been updated to include a quote from the FBI Director.
Following a multi-day trial, a federal jury in Oklahoma last week convicted Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.
Following the verdict, Johnson surrendered to the government the 190 dogs seized in this case. The government is pursuing forfeiture of these dogs. The United States Marshals Service cares for dogs seized in dog fighting cases through its asset forfeiture program.
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse — 190 dogs are now safe thanks to outstanding collaborative work by our attorneys and law enforcement components.”
“The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,” said Director Kash Patel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”
“This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and our partners are committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting and to disrupting this illegal and inhumane industry.”
“Dog fighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “I commend the hard work of our law enforcement partners in investigating this case and holding the defendant accountable for his crimes.”
The conviction stems from an indictment unsealed in March which detailed Johnson’s operation of “Mal Kant Kennels.” The jury heard evidence that Johnson bred and trafficked “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs and their offspring for the purpose of dog fighting, profiting from the cruel and illegal industry. Authorities seized the 190 dogs from his property, which is the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case. Johnson, who had a prior state conviction for dog fighting in 2004, will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
The FBI’s New Orleans Field Office, Shreveport Resident Agency office investigated the case.
Sarah M. Brown, Ethan Eddy, and Todd W. Gleason of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, prosecuted the case.
Former NFL Player Convicted of Operating Large-Scale Dog Fighting and Trafficking Venture in OklahomaRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Following a multi-day trial, a federal jury in Oklahoma last week convicted Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures.
Following the verdict, Johnson surrendered to the government the 190 dogs seized in this case. The government is pursuing forfeiture of these dogs. The United States Marshals Service cares for dogs seized in dog fighting cases through its asset forfeiture program.
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting animals from abuse — 190 dogs are now safe thanks to outstanding collaborative work by our attorneys and law enforcement components.”
“The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,” said Director Kash Patel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”
“This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and our partners are committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting and to disrupting this illegal and inhumane industry.”
“Dog fighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “I commend the hard work of our law enforcement partners in investigating this case and holding the defendant accountable for his crimes.”
The conviction stems from an indictment unsealed in March which detailed Johnson’s operation of “Mal Kant Kennels.” The jury heard evidence that Johnson bred and trafficked “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs and their offspring for the purpose of dog fighting, profiting from the cruel and illegal industry. Authorities seized the 190 dogs from his property, which is the largest number ever seized from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case. Johnson, who had a prior state conviction for dog fighting in 2004, will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count.
The FBI’s New Orleans Field Office, Shreveport Resident Agency office investigated the case.
Sarah M. Brown, Ethan Eddy, and Todd W. Gleason of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, prosecuted the case.
Sallisaw High School Coach Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joshua Lee Bolin, age 26, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a Superseding Indictment of one count of Receipt of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, punishable by five to twenty years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Superseding Indictment alleged that beginning in January 2024 and continuing until June 28, 2024, Bolin received visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sallisaw 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.
Bolin was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.
Pontotoc County Resident Sentenced for Assault and Threatening Interstate CommunicationsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dekentrek Donneil McDowell, a/k/a Deketrek D. McDowell, a/k/a X Day Day, a/k/a X Deezy, a/k/a X Lil Beefy, age 20, of Ada, 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 for one count of Threatening Interstate Communications. The Court ordered the terms to be served concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Ada Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
On January 22, 2025, McDowell pleaded guilty to the charges.
According to investigators on June 4, 2024, McDowell pistol-whipped an individual, then pointed the gun at the individual’s head. Then, on July 27, 2024, McDowell left multiple voicemail messages through a cell phone application threatening to kill a second individual and her unborn child. The crimes occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John L. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. McDowell 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 Michael E. Robinson 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 Angel Urbina-Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbina Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbinaramirez, age 53, 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 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 June 13, 2025, Urbina-Ramirez, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed on January 30, 2018, 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 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.
Urbina-Ramirez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Choctaw County Trio Sentenced for Roles in 2020 Double HomicideRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that three Fort Towson, Oklahoma co-conspirators in a 2020 double homicide were sentenced in federal district court.
Ashlie Nicole Rose Martin, age 22, was sentenced to 456 months in prison for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder.
Chad Jon’Dale Voyles, age 23, was sentenced to 420 months in prison for one count of Murder in Indian Country.
Bryson Noel Miller, age 19, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for one count of Murder in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, on December 22, 2020, Martin, then age 17, recruited Voyles, age 18, and Miller, age 15, to murder her parents. That evening, Martin let Voyles and Miller into her house through a rear window. Miller and Voyles found Martin’s mother sleeping on a couch and beat her to death. All three assisted in burying her in a shallow grave in the backyard. After the murder of Martin’s mother, the co-conspirators cleaned up and disposed of evidence of the murder.
Over the next few hours, Martin attempted to arrange plans to flee, while Voyles and Miller awaited the arrival of Martin’s father at Martin’s residence. When Martin’s father arrived, Voyles ambushed him and fired at him with a compound bow and field-tipped arrow. Voyles missed, leading to a struggle with the father. Ultimately, Miller intervened and struck the father in the head with a dumbbell. Once incapacitated, Voyles and Miller doused the man in gasoline and set him and the house on fire.
The crimes occurred in Choctaw County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
“In December 2020, two lives were tragically cut short, and the entire community of Fort Towson was gripped by fear and disbelief,” said FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Ogden. “The ruthless violence displayed by all three defendants in this case undoubtedly proves they belong behind prison walls. The efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners have guaranteed they will each feel the full weight of the federal justice system.”
“The defendants’ actions were brutal and horrifying,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Although nothing can erase the effects of these crimes or ease these families’ agony, the sentences imposed remove three very dangerous people from our community for a very long time.”
The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing. The defendants will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve non-paroleable sentences of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.
Eufaula Resident Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that William Clayton Brown, age 42, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a one-count Felony Information of Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree, punishable by up to life in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Information alleged that on September 15, 2017, Brown killed the victim with malice aforethought.
The crime occurred in McIntosh County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from investigations by the Eufaula Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by assignment, 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.
Brown will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Washington State Resident Sentenced for Burglary and Felony AssaultRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Cody Lynn Lusk, age 35, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for one count of Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country, and 30 months in prison for one count of Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner by Strangling, Suffocating, and Attempting to Strangle and Suffocate in Indian Country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Muskogee Police Department.
On February 3, 2025, Lusk pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on March 22, 2024, Lusk broke into a Muskogee apartment in order to attack the resident. Once inside the apartment, Lusk proceeded to strangle and suffocate the victim, who was able to escape and call for help during a pause in the attack. The crimes occurred in Muskogee 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. Lusk 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 Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.
Two Co-Conspirators Plead Guilty to Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that two defendants entered guilty pleas for their roles in a federal drug conspiracy.
Dylan Thomas Emmick, age 32, of Purcell, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Drug Conspiracy, punishable by five to 40 years in prison, and a $5,000,000.00 fine.
Kody James Lile, age 45, of Lindsay, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, punishable by five to 40 years in prison, and a $5,000,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on November 8, 2024, Emmick conspired to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and that on November 9, 2024, Lile knowingly and intentionally possessed five grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Latimer 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 pleas and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation reports.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Emmick and Lile will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen and Special Assistant United States Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Texas 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 Darlene Ruelas Flores, a/k/a Darlene Sheppard, age 44, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department.
On February 13, 2025, Flores pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on May 30, 2024, law enforcement conducting a routine traffic stop for equipment violations discovered Flores in possession of 968.9 grams of a white substance that later tested positive for fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.
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. Flores 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 Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.
Tahlequah 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 Cody Lee Pritchett, age 34, of Tahlequah, 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 $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment charged Pritchett with knowingly possessing a .22 caliber Derringer, a semi-automatic rifle, a short-barreled rifle, two hundred rounds of assorted ammunition, 40 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, one round of Winchester 12-gauge ammunition, and 24 rounds of 9mm ammunition on February 4, 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.
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.
Pritchett was released on bond with conditions pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Stilwell Resident Pleads Guilty to Involuntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robert Bird, age 70, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to a one-count Information of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country, punishable by up to eight years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Information alleged that on January 21, 2025, Bird unlawfully killed a person in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death when committed in an unlawful manner, without due caution and circumspection. As part of the plea agreement, Bird admitted the government could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he discharged a firearm without due caution and circumspection, killing the victim.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Stilwell Police Department, and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. District 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.
Bird will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael E. Robinson and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Spiro Resident Sentenced for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Curtis Gene Atkins, age 60, of Spiro, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 12th/21st Judicial Drug Task Force out of Sebastian and Crawford Counties, Arkansas, and the Barling, Arkansas Police Department.
On November 18, 2024, Atkins pleaded guilty to the charges. According to investigators, on April 4, 2024, and May 15, 2024, Atkins sold a total of 166.06 grams of methamphetamine 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. Atkins 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 Erin Cornell represented the United States.
Okmulgee County Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Gabriel Lee Williams, II, a/k/a Chi-Chi, age 26, of Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 140 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Okmulgee Police Department.
On January 13, 2025, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm. According to investigators, on April 27, 2024, law enforcement discovered Williams in possession of one 9mm handgun and one .40 caliber handgun after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
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. Williams 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 Gregory Dean Burris represented the United States.
Durant 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 Derek Michael James, age 41, of Durant, 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 ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on January 27, 2025, James assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, intending to do bodily harm.
The crime occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse 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.
James will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan E. Soverly and Patrick M. Flanigan represented the United States.
Coweta 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 Cody Michael DeGraw, age 30, of Coweta, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on or about December 20, 2023, until February 27, 2025, DeGraw knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which DeGraw accessed with intent to view.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
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.
DeGraw was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshals pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Muzljakovich and Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
Ardmore Resident Pleads Guilty to Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Todd Philip Wilkerson, age 53, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Sexual Abuse in Indian Country, punishable by up to life in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on March 26, 2025, Wilkerson knowingly engaged in sexual contact with a victim who was incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and physically incapable of declining participation or communicating unwillingness to engage in that act.
The crime occurred in Carter County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department, and the Ardmore 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.
Wilkerson will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced for Possessing Stolen FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robey Lee Butler, age 36, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to three years’ probation for one count of Possession of Stolen Firearm.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sallisaw Police Department, and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
On January 13, 2025, Butler pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on November 7, 2023, law enforcement discovered Butler in possession of a semi-automatic rifle. That rifle was later revealed to be stolen out of McCurtain, Oklahoma, in LeFlore County.
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 Jarrod A. Leaman, and Lewis M. Reagan and represented the United States.
Okmulgee County Resident Pleads Guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Injury AccidentRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lee Calhoun Phillips, age 45, of Morris, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a one-count felony Information of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Nonfatal Injury in Indian Country, punishable by up to two years in prison.
The Information alleged that on September 28, 2023, Phillips drove a vehicle that was involved in an accident involving an injury to a person, willfully and maliciously failed to remain at the scene and render reasonable assistance to the injured, and willfully and maliciously failed to stop in order to avoid detection and prosecution.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan W. Howanitz and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
McAlester Resident Sentenced for Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Marcus Edward Lee, age 33, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for one count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 13, 2025, Lee pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
According to investigators, on May 20, 2024, federal agents executed a warrant on Lee’s McAlester address as part of a years-long investigation into an online subscriber sharing images depicting sexual abuse of children between the ages of three and thirteen. At Lee’s residence, agents seized two cell phones on which Lee had stored nearly 600 images of child sexual abuse and assaults.
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. Lee 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 Jessie K. Pippin represented the United States.
Bryan County Resident Sentenced for Assault with Intent to Commit MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jason Edward Lewis, age 48, of Kenefic, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police, and the Bryan County Sheriff's Office.
On February 11, 2025, Lewis pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on July 10, 2024, law enforcement responded to a 911 call of active gunfire at a Kenefic residence. The caller reported that Lewis had rammed a vehicle through the residence wall and was shooting into the house. Responders approaching the residence encountered Lewis fleeing the scene with front end damage to his truck and apprehended him after a pursuit. The crime occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw 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. Lewis 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 T. Cameron McEwen and Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Bryan County Resident Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robert Vernon Hardage, Jr., age 46, of Kenefic, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment charged Hardage with knowingly possessing one round of 12-gauge ammunition and 17 rounds of .300 Blackout caliber ammunition on March 11, 2024, after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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.
Hardage will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney T. Cameron McEwen and Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Sequoyah County 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 Christopher Ray Amundson, age 39, of Roland, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office.
On January 15, 2025, Amundson pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on June 1, 2023, officers serving a search warrant at Amundson’s residence discovered nearly half a pound of methamphetamine buried in the backyard.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Amundson 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 Jacob R. Parker and Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.
Pittsburg County Resident Sentenced for Possessing an Unregistered Explosive DeviceRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jerry Brandon Pearce, age 56, of Indianola, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 25 months in prison for one count of Possession of an Unregistered Firearm (Destructive Device).
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On November 25, 2024, Pearce pleaded guilty to possessing an explosive device not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. According to investigators, on September 4, 2023, law enforcement responded to blast reports at Pearce’s residence. There, agents encountered Pearce and two bystanders suffering injuries from a detonated grenade. An investigation of the blast site revealed that Pearce had modified the unregistered explosive before accidentally setting it off, and that Pearce also possessed assembly components for building additional grenades.
“This case underscores the serious danger posed by illegal and unregistered explosive devices,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Thanks to the swift response and thorough investigation by our law enforcement partners, a potentially deadly situation was contained before further harm occurred. Our office remains committed to prosecuting those who violate federal firearms laws and to supporting initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods that protect our communities from violent crime.”
“Pearce’s actions were egregious and could have been fatal,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Pearce put his own interests ahead of the safety of the community and caused immense harm. Such caustic conduct cannot and will not be tolerated.”
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. Pearce 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 Richard J. Lorenz and Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.
Tulsa Resident Sentenced for Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Wilmer Medardo Guerrero, age 24, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for one count of Robbery in Indian Country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ada Police Department.
On March 12, 2025, Guerrero pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on December 18, 2020, Guerrero assaulted an Ada restaurant manager, robbing the manager of the restaurant’s earnings deposit. The victim fought back and unmasked Guerrero, a former employee, before Guerrero fled with the money. The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Guerrero 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 Michael E. Robinson and Dak Cohen represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Rickey Everett Ballard, age 29, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On December 17, 2024, Ballard pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, between May 1, 2024, and May 29, 2024, Ballard knowingly possessed a semiautomatic .300 Blackout caliber pistol and twenty-nine rounds of ammunition after having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
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. Ballard 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 Jonathan E. Soverly and Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Failing 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 Jordan Bradley Brown, age 37, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and mandated Sex Offender Registration for one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
The charge arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service and the United States Probation Office.
On February 5, 2025, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Brown was convicted by the State of Oklahoma of Rape—2nd Degree on February 15, 2008, and Sexual Battery on June 27, 2008, each a felony conviction requiring the defendant to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) passed by Congress in 2006. According to investigators, on June 28, 2024, Brown failed to register an accurate address with law enforcement as required under SORNA.
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. Brown 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 Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Muskogee Resident Pleads Guilty to Attempted Arson in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Johnny Lee Vann, age 48, entered a guilty plea to one count of Attempted Arson in Indian Country, punishable by up to life in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment charged Vann with maliciously attempting to set fire to a dwelling and place the life of any person in jeopardy on January 4, 2025. The crime occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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.
Vann will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Gross and Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.
Hugo Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Maxie Darryl Caston, age 58, of Hugo, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by a three year term of supervised release, 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.
On March 14, 2025, Caston pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on September 6, 2024, law enforcement executing a search warrant for Caston’s Hugo residence seized a revolver, a shotgun, four rifles, and multiple rounds of ammunition. At the time of the search, Caston had sustained at least one prior felony conviction and was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm or 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. Caston 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 Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.