Northern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced-MayRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the May 2021 Federal Grand Jury A.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Gerardo Benitez-Jimenez. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Benitez-Jimenez, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with unlawfully being in the United States after having been deported on Dec. 4, 2014 at or near New Orleans, Louisiana. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Stacey Dewayne Berry. Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country; Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor Aged 12-16 Years in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact without Permission in Indian Country. Berry, 57, is charged with sexually abusing 3 children. Some victims were abused as early as 2000. This case was previously prosecuted by the state of Oklahoma. The FBI, Craig County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office- District 12 conducted the investigation.
Devon Blevins; Jacob Bruce Banks. First Degree Murder in Indian Country; Causing Death by Using and Discharging a Firearm During and Relation to Crimes of Violence; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. On April 12, 2019, Blevins, 28, and Banks, 21, both of Tulsa, aided and abetted one another when they allegedly killed Maurice L. Burgess by shooting him with a firearm. The two are also charged with aiding and abetting one another when they knowingly used and discharged a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence- First Degree Murder and Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. Blevins is also charged with assaulting the victim by shooting him. Finally, Banks is charged with being a felon in possession of a New Frontier LW-15 multi caliber rifle and ammunition. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Thomas Darrel Blossom. Second Degree Murder in Indian Country; Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. Blossom is charged with killing Lucus Chuckluck on Sept. 22, 2020, by driving in a reckless manner, traveling over the posted speed limit on a wet roadway and while under the influence of alcohol. The FBI, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are the investigative agencies.
Jeremy Nicholas Botonis. Coercion and Enticement of a Child in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child in Indian Country. From June 1, 2019, to September 3, 2019, Botonis, 43, of Sand Springs, allegedly enticed and coerced a minor to engage in any sexual activity. On August 24, 2019, Botonis knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in sexual contact with a minor between 12 and 16 years of age. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Walter Franklin Deerinwater. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Deerinwater, 30, of Bristow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus .45 ACP caliber pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Bristow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Dustin Lee Dennis; Michael Scott Dennis. Child Neglect in Indian Country (Counts 1-4); Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing, and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony (Counts 5-19). From June 12 to June 13, 2020, Dustin Dennis, 32, of Tulsa, allegedly failed to provide adequate care for his two children, who died while under his supervision. During the same timeframe, Dustin Dennis is further charged with failing to protect his children from exposure to the use, possession and sale of illegal drugs and illegal activities. Further, Dustin Dennis and his brother Michael Dennis, 49, of Tulsa, are charged with using their cell phones while committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony on June 12 and June 13 and other dates alleged in the indictment. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Travis Loran Dry. Assault of an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force in Indian Country. Dry, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with strangling and attempting to strangle a dating partner on Jan. 13, 2019. He is also charged with aggravated sexual abuse by force in regard to a second victim, occurring sometime between Dec. 18, 2018 and Jan. 17, 2019. The FBI and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Kenneth Jermaine Ferrell. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Ferrell, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus .40 caliber pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jimmy Glenn Hendrix. Causing Death by Using and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to Crimes of Violence. Hendrix, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence- First Degree Murder and Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. Hendrix allegedly used a firearm to shoot and kill Jarrod Young on March 11, 2008. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Matthew Steven Janson. Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. Between April 18, 2016, to May 25, 2016, Janson, 37, of Tulsa, is alleged to have knowingly distributed and received child pornography. He is further charged with knowingly possessing and accessing with intent to view the child pornography. Some of the depictions involved the use of prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Adrian Robert Jones. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Jones, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40 S&W caliber semi-automatic pistol with an extended 30 round magazine and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Johnny Lee Jumper Jr. and Herman Junior Snell II. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Jumper Jr., 44, and Snell II, 41, are charged with maliciously and deliberately killing another man by repeatedly beating him during a robbery on May 1, 1994. The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Mayes County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Raymond Lane Jr. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Lane Jr., 46, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is further charged with possessing a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes and with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is the investigative agency.
Jaquan Dawantee Lee. First Degree Burglary in Indian Country (Count 1); Assault by Strangulation in Indian Country (Counts 2 and 4); Witness Tampering (Count 3) (superseding). On Aug. 25, 2019, Lee, 27, of Tulsa, allegedly broke into a home by kicking in the door while the occupants were present. He is further charged with assaulting an intimate partner by attempting to strangle and suffocate her on Aug. 25, 2019, and with trying to persuade the victim to make false statements in relation to an official proceeding. Finally, Lee is charged with assaulting the same victim on Jan. 9, 2018, by strangling and suffocating the woman. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Ashley Lorene Parnell. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Parnell, 39, is charged with killing a 2-year-old boy by causing blunt force trauma to the child’s head. Parnell allegedly perpetrated the murder as part of a pattern and practice of assault and torture against the child. The crime occurred in Jenks in March 2008. The FBI and Tulsa and Jenks Police Departments are the investigative agencies.
Robert William Perry II. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor in Indian Country (superseding). Perry II, 30, is charged with sexually abusing a child under 12 years of age from May 6, 2017, to May 15, 2018. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Justin Marquis Render. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Render, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Sig Sauer 9 mm Parabellum caliber pistol and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Don Westley Roe Jr. Enticement. Roe Jr., 62, of Tulsa, is charged with using an electronic device to entice and coerce an individual who he believed had not attained the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Bristow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Cornelius Prince Shanklin. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country. Shanklin, 30, allegedly engaged in the abuse of an infant on July 15, 2015. He is further charged with child neglect. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jeffrey Brent Thomas. Aggravated Assault of Federal Officer with a Deadly and Dangerous Weapon (Counts 1 and 2); Eluding Peace Officer in Indian Country (Count 3). On April 6, 2021, Thomas, 43, of McAlester, allegedly assaulted and resisted a Task Force Officer with the U.S. Marshals Service when he struck the officer’s vehicle with his truck. He also allegedly assaulted and resisted members of the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office who were assisting the U.S. Marshals Service by striking their vehicles with his truck. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Crimes Task Force were attempting to arrest Thomas at the time. The FBI and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Jose Tyler Vaught. First Degree Murder in Indian Country; Causing Death by Using and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to Crimes of Violence. Vaught, 28, of Lexington, is charged with deliberately and maliciously shooting and killing Joey Aguirre on July 30, 2015. Vaught is also charged with using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence, First Degree Murder and Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Two Tulsa Men Sentenced in Separate Methamphetamine Distribution CasesRead the Press Release
Two men were sentenced late this week for possessing with intent to distribute multiple kilos of methamphetamine in the Tulsa-Metro area, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“In these two cases, large quantities of methamphetamine were confiscated and removed from the illegal drug market,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Federal prosecutors and our law enforcement partners are intent on holding traffickers accountable for distributing deadly methamphetamine and other narcotics in Oklahoma’s communities.”
U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Marco Antonio Zavala- Cervantes, 27, of Tulsa, to 210 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Zavala-Cervantes pleaded guilty for possessing with intent to distribute 6 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and to unlawfully reentering the United States. Zavala-Cervantes was previously removed from the country on April 21, 2018.
After coordination between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a trooper stopped Zavala-Cervantes for a traffic violation on June 2, 2020. The defendant claimed he was returning from a construction job in Muskogee. During the stop, a K-9 was deployed and positively alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and discovered six gallon sized bags filled with pure methamphetamine that had an estimated street value of $78,000. Pure methamphetamine can be diluted into even larger quantities for resale. In a subsequent search of his phone, investigators discovered that in one day, the defendant had engaged in multiple drug sales worth in excess of $10,000.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.
In a separate case, U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced drug distributor Richard Howard Barnett III, 25, of Tulsa, to 240 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.
Barnett III, pleaded guilty in January 2021 to two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
On Feb. 5, 2019, the Tulsa Police Department Special Investigations Division’s Narcotics Unit executed a probable cause warrant on Barnett’s residence in Tulsa. After announcing their presence, a male identified as Richard Barnett attempted to flee from a door along the side of the garage. Officers subdued Barnett, and as he was being taken into custody, a Taurus semi-auto pistol fell from his waistband. During a search of the home, officers found Barnett’s photo identification and tribal citizenship paperwork. They also discovered 1,837 grams of methamphetamine, 13 grams of heroin, multiple firearms and ammunition, and items used in the distribution of narcotics such as digital scales and baggies. Three others were also taken into custody.
Just weeks after his arrest, Barnett bonded out of custody and immediately resumed his drug operation by obtaining another stash of methamphetamine and another firearm. On March 15, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at the same residence, where they found methamphetamine, numerous pills in baggies, and a loaded .25 caliber pistol. Four others were also taken into custody.
The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick is prosecuting the case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Former Spa Owner Pleads Guilty for Using Cosmetic Fillers Not Approved for Distribution in the United StatesRead the Press Release
A woman who operated a Tulsa spa pleaded guilty today in federal court for using medical devices, also known as cosmetic fillers, on patients that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Elisa Kaye Sanders, 61, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fraud relating to misbranded devices.
Sanders admitted that on March 10, 2017, she administered the medical devices Juvederm® Ultra 4 and Juvederm® Ultra with Lidocaine to a patient. These specific devices are not approved by the FDA for distribution in the United States and are considered adulterated under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Sanders failed to tell the patient she was using unapproved fillers. According to court documents, Sanders purchased the fillers from unauthorized sources and was previously advised by the FDA that purchasing these prescription devices from unauthorized sources was illegal.
Sanders was a majority owner and operator of L’Chaim Medical Spa, previously known as Enhance Skin and Body Medical Spa. The business is no longer in operation.
The Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shannon Cozzoni and Scott Proctor are prosecuting the case.
Rogers County Mother Pleads Guilty to Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Rogers County woman pleaded guilty today in federal court for producing child pornography involving her young child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Brittney Jo Wallace, 29, of Claremore, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography by a parent. Wallace admitted that she had the toddler touch her in a sexually explicit manner while she took photos using her cell phone on Sept. 26, 2015. Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell set sentencing for July 29, 2021.
“Detectives and agents with OSBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Tulsa’s Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation Task Force doggedly pursue individuals, like Brittney Wallace, who harm the most innocent and vulnerable among us,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This office and our law enforcement partners will continue our critical work to protect Oklahoma’s children.”
In 2016, Wallace’s children were taken from the home after a doctor found signs of severe child abuse. The defendant’s parental rights were later terminated. During the 2016 investigation conducted by the state of Oklahoma, authorities seized the defendant’s phone which was later suppressed. Recently, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals found the seizure and subsequent search of her phone were proper, and the phone was turned over to investigators. When authorities conducted a forensic examination of the phone, they discovered the child pornography.
On March 1, 2021, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Wallace on a federal arrest warrant. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, and Claremore Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matilda M. Villalobos and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case. AUSA Villalobos is a prosecutor from the District of New Mexico. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.
You can find the indictment press release here.
If you suspect a child is being sexually exploited, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children immediately at 1-800-THE-LOST or cybertipline.org. You can also contact the OSBI ICAC Unit at (800) 522-8017 or [email protected].
Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a Young ChildRead the Press Release
A Sapulpa man scheduled to begin trial Tuesday in federal court opted instead to plead guilty to sexually abusing a young child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Bradley Don Goodin, 46, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 in Indian Country. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to a sentence of 15 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell will make the final sentencing determination at a hearing set for Aug. 11, 2021.
“Bradley Goodin was a danger to children, but now thanks to the Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and my office, he is a convicted child predator who will spend significant time in federal prison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
In a child forensic interview, the girl described two incidents when Goodin sexually abused her on Oct. 5, 2019. During the second incident, the victim’s mother walked in. The girl was afraid to tell her mother what was happening at the time because she feared he would harm them. She later disclosed the abuse. With the aid of a neighbor, the mother fled the home with her children and contacted the Sapulpa Police Department. At the time of the incident, Goodin was an officer with Bristow Police Department. He has not been employed with the department since November 2019.
In a February 2021 superseding indictment, Goodin was charged with sexually abusing a total of three minors. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of 21 firearms. Goodin chose to plead guilty rather than go to trial.
The Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriff’s Office and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and Matilda Villalobos are prosecuting the case. Ms. Villalobos is a prosecutor from the District of New Mexico. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.
Shannon Kepler Found Guilty of Using a Firearm in the Commission of Second Degree Murder and of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
After six hours of deliberation, a federal jury found Shannon Kepler guilty of murdering 19-year-old Jeremey Lake and for firing at Lake’s younger brother on August 5, 2014. At the time of the murder, Kepler was a 24-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department.
Shannon Kepler, 60, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals moments after the verdict. He will be sentenced on Aug. 11, 2021.
“Today, Shannon Kepler was found guilty of using and discharging a firearm in the second degree murder of Jeremey Lake and for assaulting Lake’s brother with a firearm in Indian Country after his previous state conviction was dismissed as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision. I am thankful for today’s verdict, and the jury is to be commended for their service,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I’m extremely proud of the FBI and Tulsa Police Department as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Lenhardt and Sean Taylor for their tireless preparation and successful prosecution of Mr. Kepler in federal court.”
Jury selection occurred on Monday, April 19, before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell, followed by opening statements and testimony starting April 20. In his opening, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Lenhardt set the scene. Shannon Kepler and his wife were having a difficult time with their adopted daughter, Lisa. The behavior continued, and the Keplers eventually dropped her off at a homeless shelter shortly after she turned 18. Kepler provided her with no clothing—other than what she was wearing, no money, no cell phone, and no credit cards.
Days after dropping her off, Kepler logged into Lisa’s Facebook page and saw she was suddenly “in a relationship” with Jeremey Lake. Kepler’s attorney stated that Kepler was “alarmed” with what he saw on Lake’s Facebook page, and, while still at work, Kepler requested a records clerk to run a search on Lake’s history. Kepler learned that Lake was the victim of child abuse at a very young age and was previously charged as a juvenile after pushing a social services worker. Those charges did not result in a conviction.
Kepler then copied down Lake’s last known address—202 North Maybelle Avenue—on the printed arrest and booking sheet involving Lake. Later, Kepler changed clothes, waited until dark, retrieved his .357 magnum revolver, and drove his wife’s dark SUV to the home where Lake was staying. Kepler testified that he knew the revolver would not leave shell casings at the scene. Kepler arrived at approximately 9 pm and saw his daughter and Lake walking together. He tried to talk to his daughter, but she rebuffed him and started walking toward the home. As Lake stood in the street, Kepler pulled his revolver and shot Jeremey Lake twice, quickly causing his death. Kepler then turned and fired at least three more rounds in the direction of the witnesses—Lake’s friend Josh Mills, Lake’s 13-year-old brother Michael Hamilton, and Kepler’s own daughter, Lisa. Hamilton was sitting on the home’s front porch at the time and was slightly injured during the shooting. Kepler then fled the scene, testifying that he knew his fellow Tulsa police officers would be hunting for him, his vehicle, and his weapon. He abandoned the SUV at a former Motel 6 just off the Broken Arrow Expressway and eventually turned himself in. Approximately 14 hours after the shooting, his former attorney brought the still-loaded murder weapon into the Tulsa Police Station in a zip lock bag.
When testifying, Kepler claimed that, although no gun was ever found at the scene, he shot Lake in self-defense after Lake “got the jump on him,” pulling a shiny, semi-automatic pistol from his pants pocket. While Kepler’s attorney argued that a gun found in the Tulsa Police Department several days later “could” have been taken from the scene, expert and forensic evidence proved that the two incidents were unrelated.
The prosecution proved that Kepler had not only heard about the unrelated gun, but that he had also been provided with police reports and photographs of it before ever testifying.
In his closing statement, Lenhardt reviewed the charges and critical evidence that supported a finding of guilty on each count. The prosecution asked the jury to conclude that although Kepler alleged that he went to 202 North Maybelle to confront his daughter, he actually went there to confront Lake. The evidence proved that once there, Kepler shot Lake twice, and then began shooting at the witnesses that were present.
Kepler appealed his October 2017 state manslaughter conviction on grounds that his case should have been tried in federal court based on the McGirt v. Oklahoma U.S. Supreme Court ruling since he was a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the shooting took place on the nation’s Reservation.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department joined forces to lead the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross E. Lenhardt and Sean J. Taylor are prosecuting the case. Mr. Lenhardt is a prosecutor from the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Taylor is a prosecutor from the Eastern District of Texas. Both volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and Community Partners Invite the Public to Attend “A Community Day of Hope,” a Public Safety and Victim Resource Event, April 23, 10 am to 2 pmRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners at Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Crime Stoppers, and the Family Safety Center invite the public to attend a public safety and victim resource event:
“A Community Day of Hope,”
Friday April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm
Tulsa’s Promenade Mall (4107 South Yale Ave.).
Will be held outside the mall due to COVID-19 considerations
Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt will attend from 10- 10:30 am.
“On Friday, April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm, I invite the public to join my office and our partners as we show support to victims of crime and share public safety information,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma stands with victims of crime and their families. We also recognize the unwavering support and vital work that our law enforcement and community partners perform every day to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”
Approximately 40 law enforcement, victim services and community agencies will share public safety and victim resource information. The Tulsa Fire Department will also distribute 200 backpacks to the public. The Family Safety Center is accepting donations: hygiene products, new stuffed animals, stress balls, pop-top tuna & microwavable mac n cheese, individually wrapped snacks.
Communities nationwide are observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021. The week promotes victims' rights, celebrates progress made in the field, and honors crime victims. This year’s theme is “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities”.
* Throughout the week, the public is also invited to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners virtually as we observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s social media sites (FB: @usaondok; Twitter: @USAO_NDOK).
* Also, in honor of crime victims, several Tulsa businesses have illuminated the sky with pink, purple, or yellow in honor of victims of crime. Businesses include ONEOK, ONE GAS, Oklahomans for Equality, and KJRH Ch. 2. Other businesses are also welcome to join in support.
* Nationally, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims. The 2021 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on April 23, 2021, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm eastern time. Learn more and register to watch the ceremony live. #NCVRW2021 https://go.usa.gov/xH3zv
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.
Agencies participating in “A Community Day of Hope” on April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall include:
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma
Tulsa Crime Stoppers
Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office
Family Safety Center
Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma
AAA
American Dream Center
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Family Violence Prevention Program
CASA
Oklahoma Department of Human Services - Adult Protective Services
Tulsa Fire Department
Traffic Safety Division/Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office/Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
FBI
Sand Springs Police Department
Tulsa Police Department Victim Witness Unit
Tulsa Police Department Community Engagement Unit
LIFE Senior Services
Oklahoma Highway Patrol
The Coffee Bunker
Surayya Anne Foundation
Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office/Victim Witness Center
Wyandotte Nation Family Violence Prevention Program
SANE Program/Forensic Nursing
211 Eastern Oklahoma, Community Service Council
Marsy's Law of Oklahoma
Camp Hope
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation One Fire Victim Services
The Tristesse Grief Center
Equality Center of Oklahoma
YWCA
Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic
Ascension St. John
DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services)
BACA: Bikers Against Child Abuse
The SA Foundation
Camp Hope
Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced-AprilRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the April 2021 Federal Grand Jury B.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Jack Clinton Brady. Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. From Jan. 1, 2018, to March 4, 2021, Brady, 66, of Tulsa, allegedly received and possessed child pornography. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements’ Homeland Security Investigations and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Terrence Andrew Davis. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Production of Child Pornography; Commission of Felony Sex Offense by a Registered Sex Offender. Davis, 29, of Bristow, allegedly enticed and coerced a minor using a social media app to engage in sexual activity from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5, 2020. Davis is also charged with enticing and coercing the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions after a previous conviction of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology in Creek County District Court. Finally, on Aug. 5, 2020, Davis, a registered sex offender, allegedly committed a felony sex offense against the minor. The Bristow Police Department is the investigative agency.
Isaiah Drywater. Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm. Drywater, 23, of Tulsa, knowing he was an unlawful drug user, possessed a Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Kim Wade Dyer, Jr. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Dyer Jr., 22, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Canik 9 mm caliber pistol and with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on Sept. 23, 2020. Dyer Jr. is also charged with being a felon in possession of a Benelli Ethos shotgun and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on Dec. 18, 2021. He is further charged with possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on March 4, 2021. The defendant is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and maintaining a drug involved premises. The FBI, Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Cynthis Lucille Fish. Robbery in Indian Country. Fish, 40, of Dewey, aided and abetted others to rob an individual of methamphetamine using force and violence on March 17, 2020. The FBI and Osage County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Dallas Gene Hastings. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Hastings, 40, of Claremore, is charged with the first degree murder of Erie Anderson Raybon, an 88-year old woman, by beating her to death with a hammer during a home invasion on Jan. 2, 2000. The FBI, Claremore Police Department, and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.
Kyle Wayne Lawrence. Aggravated Sexual Abuse; Sexual Abuse; Sexual Abuse of a Minor. On Jan. 30, 2018, Lawrence, 35, of Afton, allegedly supplied a minor with alcohol until she became unconscious then sexually abused her. The FBI and Nowata Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Steven Wayne Lockler Jr. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Lockler Jr., 41, allegedly perpetrated a pattern of assault and torture against a child, Christopher Barnard, and killed the him on April 28, 2008 by striking him in the abdomen. The FBI and Claremore Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Johnny Edward Mize Jr. Murder- Second Degree. Mize Jr., 35, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing a Native American juvenile on July 4, 2017. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Marie Morrow; Heather Griffith. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country; Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding (Misdemeanor). On March 15, 2020, Morrow, 25, of Grove, allegedly stabbed a victim with a knife, resulting in serious bodily injury. Approximately 15 minutes prior to the stabbing, Griffith, 27, of Grove, allegedly assaulted the same victim by striking, beating and wounding her while Morrow restrained her. The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Rene Ramos; Edgar Tejeda. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Ramos, 37, and Tejeda, 24, both of Tulsa, are charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Gary Dumont Riggs. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of Child (4 Counts). Riggs, 76, of Claremore, is charged with three counts of sexually abusing a minor between May 1, 2014 and Sept. 1, 2014, and one count of sexually abusing a minor between Dec. 1, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2015. The FBI and Verdigris Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Keli Dawn Sewell. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon. Sewell, 31, of Sapulpa, is charged with assaulting a victim with a pistol. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Virgil Wayne Steel. Assault of an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country. On March 30, 2019, Steel, 36, of Nowata, allegedly strangled and attempted to strangle his dating partner. The FBI and Oologah Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Desiree Dione Tah. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Tah, 38, of Claremore, is charged with assaulting a male victim by stabbing him with a knife on March 9, 2020. The FBI and Claremore Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Maxwell Todhunter. Drug Conspiracy; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Todhunter, 34, Tulsa, is charged with conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is also charged with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is further charged with possessing a Lorcin .380 ACP caliber handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and with maintaining a premises for distributing and using methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jimmy Allen Truster. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Truster, 53, of Afton, is charged with assaulting a female victim by stabbing her with a knife and striking her in the head with a rock. The FBI and Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
Robert Allen Weeks. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner in Indian Country. On April 2, 2021, Weeks, 35, of Tulsa, allegedly assaulted his dating partner by shoving her to the floor and kicking and punching her, resulting in serious bodily injury. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Kamau Jahi Williams; Tanara Monique Ruble; Albert Thomas III. Distribution of Methamphetamine; Drug Conspiracy; Distribution of Heroin; Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes (superseding). Williams, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly distributing methamphetamine. In this superseding indictment, Williams and Ruble, 39, of Tulsa, are charged with conspiring together and with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Thomas, 38, of Sapulpa, is charged with knowingly distributing heroin and with possessing with intent to distribute heroin. Thomas is further charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. The Drug Enforcement Agency and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Marquiloh Donte Williams. Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country; Kidnapping in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Williams, 24, of Wagoner, threatened a victim, held a machete to her neck, and sexually assaulted her on Aug. 18, 2019. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jury Convicts Man of Kidnapping and Assaulting his Ex-WifeRead the Press Release
A federal jury today found a man from Choctaw guilty of kidnapping and assaulting his ex-wife in April 2017.
Randy Alan Hamett, 64, was convicted on all 12 counts: kidnapping in Indian Country; carjacking; possessing and receiving a stolen firearm and stolen ammunition; possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order; burglary in the second degree in Indian Country; assaults with a dangerous weapons (2 counts) in Indian Country; domestic violence in Indian Country; interstate violation of a protective Order (2 counts); carrying, using, and brandishing firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence (2 counts). U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for July 29, 2021.
“A jury considered the evidence and then held Randy Hamett accountable for terrorizing Alisa Henin, the victim in this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Alisa faced abuser Randy Hamett through a harrowing ordeal and then two trials. She is a survivor and is to be commended for her courage. She exemplifies the resiliency and strength we see in victims every day.”
On April 25, 2017, Hamett parked his truck at a nearby Wal-Mart, walked to Ms. Henin’s home, and cut a hole in an outside wall to gain entry. When she returned home, Hamett tased her, pointed his own revolver at her, and bound her hands and feet. Hamett then forced the victim into a car, stole a revolver she had purchased after obtaining a protective order against him, then kidnapped her and sexually assaulted her. During the two-day ordeal, Hamett threatened to kill himself, the victim, and anyone who tried to help her.
Convinced that Hamett was going to kill her, she made every effort to prolong the trip and gain the defendant’s trust. She convinced Hamett they should get back together and remarry in Arkansas. The defendant eventually allowed her to text her parents and her boyfriend so they would not become suspicious concerning her whereabouts. Based on the nature of the text, Ms. Henin’s parents became worried that she was in danger and contacted the Broken Arrow Police Department. Through a concerted investigation by the Broken Arrow and Siloam Springs Police Departments, officers were able to locate Hamett and the victim at a hotel in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where they determined Hamett was holding the victim against her will. Officers found him in possession of a firearm and ammunition, along with Taser cartridges, and Hamett was arrested for violation of a protective order.
At an August 2020 press conference announcing Justice Department domestic violence funding awards, Ms. Henin shared her story of survival and recognized the 28 domestic violence warriors who helped her escape a violent marriage and who ultimately held Hamett accountable for his crimes. Those who assisted her were law enforcement, victim services agencies, friends and family.
As she ended her story, Alisa said, “In June 2020, [Randy Hamett] won an appeal on a procedural technicality, so he will be re-tried in federal court. Am I worried? No, I still have faith in God and confidence in the trained professionals who are fighting for my long-term protection. He may have had a dark plan to control and silence me, but there was obviously a greater plan at work. That plan included meeting extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others. I will always be grateful to them and to those who provide resources to domestic violence victims.”
Hamett was previously convicted in federal court for the kidnapping, but the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed his conviction and ordered a new trial. In a 2-1 decision, the appellate court found that the trial judge had “erred in finding that Mr. Hamett knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel” at his July 2018 trial.
“I am thankful for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Gallant and Devon Lash in securing today’s conviction,” said Johnson. “Devon volunteered to join our team from the Eastern District of New York as this office took on an exponential increase in cases. This week was her first trial as a federal prosecutor, and I couldn’t be more proud of her performance in court.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Broken Arrow Police and Siloam Springs Police Departments, and the Rogers State University Police.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and Partners Invite the Public to Observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24Read the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners at Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Crime Stoppers, and the Family Safety Center join communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. The week promotes victims' rights, celebrates progress made in the field, and honors crime victims. This year’s theme is “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities”.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma stands with victims of crime and their families. We also recognize the unwavering support and vital work that our law enforcement and community partners perform every day to secure victims’ rights and support survivors,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This week my office and our partners invite the public to join us as we encourage and show support to victims of crime."
* Throughout the week, the public is invited to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners virtually as we observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s social media sites (FB: @usaondok; Twitter: @USAO_NDOK). Starting Sunday, April 18, Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson will kick off the week-long virtual awareness event. Also, Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum will share a proclamation in support of crime victims. Throughout the week, messages of support and resource information will be shared by law enforcement, victim services agencies, and faith-based organizations from northeastern Oklahoma. The public is encouraged to share and comment in support of victims.
* Sunday at dusk, also look for the sky to be illuminated pink, purple, or yellow by several Tulsa businesses in honor of victims of crime. Businesses include ONEOK, ONE GAS, Oklahomans for Equality, and KJRH Ch. 2. Other businesses are also welcome to join in support.
* Also, an in-person public event, “A Community Day of Hope,” will be held Friday, April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall west parking lot, (4107 South Yale Ave.) The event will be held outside due to COVID-19 considerations. Approximately 35 law enforcement, victim services and community agencies will share public safety and victim resource information. The Tulsa Fire Department will also distribute 200 backpacks to the public.
* Nationally, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims. The 2021 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on April 23, 2021, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm eastern time. Learn more and register to watch the ceremony live. #NCVRW2021 https://go.usa.gov/xH3zv
Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.
Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.
Agencies participating in “A Community Day of Hope” on April 23 at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall include:
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma
Tulsa Crime Stoppers
Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office
Family Safety Center
Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma
AAA
American Dream Center
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Family Violence Prevention Program
CASA
Oklahoma Department of Human Services - Adult Protective Services
Tulsa Fire Department
Traffic Safety Division/Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office/Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
FBI
Sand Springs Police Department
Tulsa Police Department Victim Witness Unit
Tulsa Police Department Community Engagement Unit
LIFE Senior Services
Oklahoma Highway Patrol
The Coffee Bunker
Surayya Anne Foundation Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office/Victim Witness Center
Wyandotte Nation Family Violence Prevention Program
SANE Program/Forensic Nursing
211 Eastern Oklahoma, Community Service Council
Marsy's Law of Oklahoma
Camp Hope
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation One Fire Victim Services
The Tristesse Grief Center
Equality Center of Oklahoma
YWCA
Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic
Ascension St. John Medical Center
DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services)
Tulsa Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to a Firearms Dealer to Purchase a Gun for BoyfriendRead the Press Release
A Tulsa police officer pleaded guilty today in federal court for conspiring to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when purchasing a firearm.
Latoya Lisa Dythe, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make a false statement to a firearms dealer and to false statement to a firearms dealer.
According to her written plea agreement, Dythe admitted that she and her coconspirator Devon Jamyll Jones agreed that Dythe would purchase a firearm for him at a Bass Pro Shop. Jones gave Dythe money to purchase a specific firearm, a FN HERSTAL S.A., 5.7 X 28mm. As mandated by law, Dythe filled out required forms to purchase the firearm. When asked on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473 “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form,” Dythe answered “Yes”. Her response was a false statement made to obtain the firearm for Jones. Dythe admitted that she did in fact obtain the firearm and immediately gave it to Jones following the purchase. She admitted that she knew her actions were Illegal when she committed the crime.
The ATF Form 4473 specifically issues a warning to purchasers: “Warning: You are not the actual transferee/buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) on behalf of another person. If you are not the actual transferee/buyer, the licensee cannot transfer the firearm(s) to you.”
“Police officers, just like all citizens, that engage in criminal conduct must be held accountable for their actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Latoya Dythe understood it was illegal to lie on federal firearms transaction forms to obtain a gun for another individual, and today she has accepted responsibility for the crime. I appreciate the Tulsa Police Department for bringing this case to the attention of federal authorities and for working with the FBI and my office as this case proceeds in federal court.”
“The public rightfully expects more from those who have sworn to serve,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Melissa Godbold. “Latoya Dythe’s actions violated the public’s trust and I’m thankful for our federal, state and local law enforcement partners’ hard work to ensure this type of behavior is not tolerated.”
Dythe remains on bond pending sentencing which will occur on July 15. She faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for each count, three years of supervised release and a fine not to exceed $250,000.
Devon Jones, 28, was charged as a coconspirator with Dythe in the indictment announced in December. Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. See the press release here announcing the indictment.
The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Snow is prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the 2150 Initiative. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Tulsa Police Department, ATF, and all other local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement partners to combat violent crime by focusing efforts on prohibited persons in possession of firearms as well as straw purchasers
Welch Cattleman Admits to a $1.2 Million Check Kiting SchemeRead the Press Release
A Welch cattleman who defrauded First State Bank of Commerce pleaded guilty Friday in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
John Theodore Linthicum, 52, also known as Teddy Linthicum, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell.
“Teddy Linthicum perpetrated a check kiting scheme for his own gain and swindled First State Bank of Commerce out of $1.2 million,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Bank fraud, and other white-collar schemes, will not be tolerated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold fraudsters, like Linthicum, accountable for their crimes.”
The check kiting scheme was carried out by Linthicum and another cattle dealer, Douglas Mayfield, from October 2016 to January 2017.
In the fall of 2016, Linthicum experienced dwindling cash flow in his cattle business. He proposed that Mayfield write NSF checks to Linthicum that he could deposit into his bank account, thereby enabling Linthicum to avoid overdraft limitations and continue his cattle operation. Linthicum knew that Mayfield did not have sufficient funds to cover the checks he was writing to Linthicum.
Mayfield provided approximately 30 insufficiently funded checks from his accounts at Grand Savings Bank, in Grove, to Linthicum for deposit into Linthicum’s account at First State Bank. Most often, Mayfield would simply sign the checks and Linthicum would fill in the amounts payable to himself. Linthicum frequently wrote in the memo notation that the checks were for the purchase of cattle, which was not true. The checks generally ranged between $100,000 and $375,000. The bank lost approximately $1.2 million as a result of the scheme.
Linthicum’s sentencing is set for Aug. 3, 2021. Mayfield previously pleaded guilty to the same charge in federal court, and his sentencing is pending.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-Office of Inspector General and Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Leitch and Vani Singhal are prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Couple Plead Guilty to Bank Fraud After Applying for Paycheck Protection Program Loans under False PretensesRead the Press Release
A Tulsa couple who fraudulently applied for Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act pleaded guilty in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Ibanga Etuk, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on April 9. Teosha Etuk, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud on April 6.
“Ibanga and Teosha Etuk exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to steal taxpayer-funded resources from small businesses, and because of this, they are now convicted felons,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The Coronavirus Anti-Fraud Team and our partners at the Small Business Administration, Federal Reserve Board and FBI remain committed to protecting the integrity of critical resources provided by Congress to assist the American people.”
Ibanga Etuk admitted that from April 6, 2020, to April 29, 2020, he knowingly applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan from Frontier State Bank under false pretenses. The defendant lied about the number of people employed during the previous months of purported operations, the payroll expenditures during the previous months, taxes paid during previous months of operation, ownership of the business, and relationships between the parties in a $300,000 loan application submitted for Ab0veAll Business Inc.
Ibanga Etuk further admitted that during the same time he unlawfully used another individual’s identity on payroll records submitted to Frontier State Bank when he applied for the $300,000 loan.
Teosha Etuk admitted that from April 14, 2020, to April 29, 2020, she fraudulently applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan through First Liberty Bank. Specifically, she lied about the number of people employed during the previous months of purported operations, the payroll expenditures during the previous months, taxes paid during previous months of operation, ownership of the businesses and relationships between the conspirators in a loan application for $150,000 for the company TMARK Enterprises, Inc.
Also charged in the indictment is Olusolo Ojo, 42, of Owasso. Ojo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
According to the indictment, the Etuks created 12 fictitious business entities that would fraudulently apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. During this time, Ibanga Etuk and Teosha Etuk submitted multiple applications for the same businesses to more than ten different banks, without disclosing to those banks that they were submitting duplicative applications. They conspired to obtain loans in the approximate amount of $5,430,585 and actually obtained funding from banks in the total approximate amount of $995,385.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Office of Inspector General; Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General; and FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin Harrington and Victor A.S. Régal are prosecuting the case.
In March 2020, Congress passed a $2.2 trillion economic relief bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Anticipating the need to protect the integrity of these taxpayer funds and to otherwise protect Americans from fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Justice immediately stood up multiple efforts dedicated to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting such fraud. Leveraging data analysis capabilities and partnerships developed through its vast experience combatting economic crime and fraud on government programs, the Justice Department’s response to COVID-19 related fraud serves as a model for proactive, high-impact white-collar enforcement. This rapid and nationwide response enabled the Justice Department to quickly ensure accountability for wrongdoing amid a national crisis and sent a forceful message of deterrence during an ongoing crisis.
The Department of Justice has publicly charged 474 defendants with criminal offenses based on fraud schemes connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. These cases involve attempts to obtain over $569 million from the U.S. government and unsuspecting individuals through fraud and have been brought in 56 federal districts around the country. These cases reflect a degree of reach, coordination, and expertise that is critical for enforcement efforts against COVID-19 related fraud to have a meaningful impact and is also emblematic of the Justice Department’s response to criminal wrongdoing.
To learn more about the Justice Department’s COVID response, visit: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus For further information on the Criminal Division’s enforcement efforts on PPP fraud, including court documents from significant cases, visit the following website: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud. For further information on the Civil Division’s enforcement efforts, visit the following website: https://www.justice.gov/civil.
To report a COVID-19-related fraud scheme or suspicious activity, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling the NCDF Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- April (Final Results)Read the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the final results of the April 2021 Federal Grand Jury A. The announcement for the partial Results of the April 2021 Federal Grand Jury A can be found here.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Clarance Rozell Goode Jr. Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder in Indian Country (Count 1); First Degree Murder in Indian Country (Counts 2, 4, 6); Causing Death by Using and Discharging a Firearm (Counts 3, 5, 7). Goode Jr., 44, has been charged with conspiring with two others to murder Tara Burchett-Thompson, her daughter Kayla, and Mitch Thompson in August 2005. The murders occurred in Owasso. The FBI is the lead investigative agency in cooperation with the Owasso Police Department, who was the primary investigating department at the time of the crime.
Joseph Keegan Haas. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm during and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding in Indian Country (Misdemeanor); Burglary First Degree in Indian Country; Kidnapping in Indian Country. On Feb 18, 2021, Haas, 29, allegedly assaulted a female with a deadly weapon by pointing a firearm at her while she was in bed. He further struck, beat and wounded the victim. On March 6, 2021, he broke into the victim’s residence in Pryor and held her against her will. The FBI and Mayes County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Justin Tvmvmapky Harjo. First Degree Felony Murder in Indian Country. Harjo, 24, of Tulsa, allegedly caused the unlawful killings of Dion Carr and Chauncey Thomas during a burglary on May 23, 2019. Thomas was allegedly involved in the robbery and Carr was the homeowner’s boyfriend. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Billy Shane Hemphill. Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. Hemphill, 48, in custody in Rogers County, is charged with killing a female while driving a vehicle recklessly and while impaired on Aug. 11, 2019. The victim was riding in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies. The Foyil Fire Department also initially responded to the accident.
Mark Lee Holt Jr. Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian Country. Holt Jr., 29, of Bartlesville, is charged with sexually abusing a minor between 12 and 16 years old from February 2020 to July 2020. He is further charged with abusive sexual contact of a second minor between 12 and 16 years old. The FBI and Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Diamanta Hera Johnson. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Johnson, 43, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting another female with a knife. She allegedly used the knife as a deadly weapon with the intent to do bodily harm on May 14, 2017. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Johnson. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by Felon and Addict; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. Johnson, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with the abuse of two children under the age of 18. From Feb. 1, 2020, through Feb. 19, 2021. He is further charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition by a felon and addict. From Feb. 1, 2020, to Feb. 19, 2021, Johnson allegedly assaulted the two minors with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. Johnson is alleged to have carried and brandished a firearm during his crimes. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Dameon Lamar Leathers. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Leathers, 39, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing Howard Eugene Thompson on April 6, 2018. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Justin Dale Little. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Little, 27, in Okla DOC facility, allegedly shot and killed Jonathan Weatherford on April 22, 2018, in Jenks. The FBI and Jenks Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jessica Levon McBride. Second Degree Murder in Indian Country; Arson in Indian Country; Corruptly Attempting to Alter, Destroy, Mutilate, and Conceal an Object to Impair its Use in an Official Proceeding; Attempt to Commit Arson in Indian Country. McBride, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with killing Tracy Elaine Russell on March 17, 2019. She is further charged with setting Russell’s home on fire in an attempt to conceal evidence and the victim’s remains. McBride again attempted to set Russell’s home on fire later on March 20, 2019. The victim had allowed the defendant and her boyfriend to stay with her in exchange for the couple paying for groceries with food stamp funds issued to them. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Ryan Daniel McNAbb. Possession of Child Pornography. McNabb, 24, of Cleveland, is charged with knowingly possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography. The images involved at least one prepubescent minor and a child who had not attained 12 years of age. McNabb was employed at the time of his arrest with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a Probation and Parole Officer. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Broken Arrow and Cleveland Police Departments are the investigative agencies.
Edwin Morris. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Morris, 53, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of seven firearms and 10 rounds of ammunition. Firearms are a Military Armament Corp .45 auto caliber machine gun, Kel Tec 9 mm Luger caliber rifle, a HS Produkt .40 caliber pistol, a Smith & Wesson 9 mm caliber pistol, a Glock 17 9x19 caliber pistol, a Glock 43 9mm pistol and a High Standard Derringer .22 magnum caliber pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Harvey Dale Murphy. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Murphy, 39, of Hulbert, is charged with killing Kimmy Stipes by repeatedly striking her with a hammer on Oct. 31, 2019. The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Mayes County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Keldon Keith Summers, Annaleigh Shanell Greene. Sexual Abuse of a Child in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country; Child Abuse in Indian Country; Enabling Child Abuse in Indian Country. Summers, 27, of Chelsea, is charged with sexually abusing a child under 12 years of age on Nov. 8, 2020. He is further charged with assaulting the child, causing serious bodily injury, and with child abuse. Finally, Greene, 24, of Vinita, is charged with enabling and permitting the abuse of the child. The FBI and Vinita Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Stephon Thompson. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Causing Death by Using and Discharging a Firearm. Thompson, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing Lionell Rivers on Oct. 15, 2020. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Cheri Turney. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Turney, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. She is further charged with maintaining a place for distributing and using methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Edward John Van Woudenberg. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Van Woudenberg, 65, in Okla. DOC facility, is charged with killing Robert Benjamin Sampson with a knife sometime between March 1 and March 14, 2013. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Travis Wilson. Attempted Kidnapping in Indian Country; Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country; Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony in Indian Country; Cyber Stalking; First Degree Burglary in Indian Country. Wilson, 49, in custody in Rogers County, allegedly attempted to kidnap a former intimate partner on Dec. 6, 2018. Fortunately, a Catoosa police officer heard the victims screams and intervened. Wilson is also charged with cyber stalking the victim between Oct. 1, 2018, and Dec. 6, 2018, using email, telephone, voicemail, and GPS tracking, causing substantial emotional distress to the victim. The FBI and Catoosa and Tulsa Police Departments are the investigative agencies.
Defendant Pleads Guilty for Killing a Man and Injuring Another in a DUI CollisionRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man who drove intoxicated and caused a collision that killed one man and seriously injured another pleaded guilty today in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Redex Lester Jr., 54, pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree in Indian Country and to assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country.
In the early evening of May 25, 2020, Lester Jr. drove intoxicated, exceeded the speed limit, and struck another vehicle head on. Wayne Thomas, a passenger in the other vehicle, died of his injuries three days following the crash. Another man suffered extensive, serious bodily injuries. At the time of the collision, Lester Jr. was driving on a suspended license and had a blood alcohol level of .239.
Previously, the defendant had been convicted by the state of DUI in 1992, 1994, 2005, and, again, in February 2020. For his February 2020 DUI conviction, Lester Jr. was sentenced to six months, suspended. The May 25, 2020, DUI collision and death occurred less than four months later while Lester was still on state supervision.
“Redex Lester Jr. chose time and again to drive intoxicated. Because of his reckless behavior, he killed a man and seriously injured another,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thanks to the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chantelle Dial and Christopher Nassar, the defendant has been held accountable for this tragic loss of life.”
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chantelle D. Dial and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case. Ms. Dial is a prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations. Ms. Dial recently extended six more months to assist with the mission.
Claremore Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Claremore man who possessed thousands of images and videos of child pornography pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Jeffrey Rahn Reetz, 66, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and to possession of child pornography. U.S District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell set sentencing for Aug. 2, 2021.
“Jeffrey Reetz collected 9,000 images and videos of the abuse and rape of children and was a felon illegally in possession of nine firearms who attempted to flee the country to escape prosecution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Individuals like Reetz are the reason we seek to unmask and hold accountable those who download and share child pornography. I appreciate the efforts of the officers and agents of Homeland Security Investigations, the Tulsa Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit, and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections who were all instrumental in exposing and arresting this predator.”
Reetz stated in a written plea agreement that between March 2019, and January 23, 2020, he knowingly possessed three rifles, two shotguns, four handguns, and 1,421 rounds of ammunition. Reetz further admitted that between January 2017 and January 23, 2020, he knowingly possessed and accessed with intent to view more than 1,000 graphic image files and video files of child pornography. One image obtained and viewed by the defendant included a close up image of an adult male raping a toddler vaginally. Another image possessed by the defendant depicted a female toddler with a white pacifier in her mouth being raped anally by an adult male. These were only two of the more than 9,000 images and videos possessed by Reetz.
On Jan. 23, 2020, agents and officers executed a federal search and seizure warrant at Reetz’s residence and located the firearms. Reetz was subsequently taken into custody at the Tulsa International Airport while he was trying to flee the country to Cuba to avoid arrest and prosecution.
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Tulsa Police Department and Oklahoma Department of Corrections conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matilda M. Villalobos, Vani Singhal, and Edward Snow are prosecuting the case.
Two Sapulpa Men Plead Guilty to Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
Two Sapulpa men pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to child exploitation crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Aaron James Seney, 32, pleaded guilty to distribution and receipt of child pornography and to possession of child pornography. Nicholas Robert Hale, 36, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Both men pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell.
“Crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children are one of law enforcement’s highest priorities. Every day we strive to protect the most vulnerable members of our community from falling victim to child predators, like Seney and Hale,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to identify, locate, and prosecute child predators and anyone who seeks out or produces child pornography.”
In a written plea agreement, Seney admitted that between March 24, 2020, and September 2, 2020, he distributed and received child pornography via the internet. He further admitted that he knowingly possessed and accessed child pornography, which involved at least one prepubescent minor and a minor that had not attained 12 years of age. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Tulsa Police Department, Sand Springs Police Department and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case.
In a written plea agreement, Hale admitted that from Nov. 9, 2020, to Dec. 22, 2020, he used a social media app to persuade and entice an individual he believed was a minor to engage in sexual activity. Hale believed he was interacting with a 14-year-old male but instead was communicating with an undercover officer from the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office. The two eventually agreed to meet at a convenience store in Verdigris in order to have sex. When Hale arrived, he was arrested and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, a loaded pistol in the front driver’s side door and an AR-15 rifle in the trunk of the car. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra M. Urban and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case. Hale will be sentenced on July 9, 2021.
These cases were prosecuted as part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced -April (Partial Results)Read the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the partial results of the April 2021 Federal Grand Jury A. Grand jury continues through Friday.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Neil Anthony Burch. Assault by Strangulation in Indian Country; Cyberstalking. Burch, 26, of Oolagah, is charged with assaulting an intimate partner by strangling and suffocating the victim on July 28, 2020. He is further charged with cyberstalking the victim from July 12, 2020, through July 28, 2020. The FBI and Rogers County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Benjamin Robert Cole Sr. First Degree Murder in Indian Country. Cole Sr., 57, is charged with murdering a Native American 9-month-old child on Dec. 20, 2002. He is currently housed in an Oklahoma Department of Corrections facility. The FBI and Claremore Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Douglas Lee Dixon. Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. Dixon, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing Stanley Watkins on Feb. 20, 2021. The FBI and Vinita Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Ryan Paul Franks. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition (Counts 1 and 4); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Count 2); Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 3). Franks, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing 13 firearms: a Glock G.m.b.H. .40 caliber pistol, a Ruger .44 magnum caliver revolver, a Baikal, 9X19mm caliver pistol, a Fratelli Tanfoglio .380 auto caliber pistol, an Omega . 32 caliber pistol, an Israel Military Industries 9X19mm caliber pistol; a Lorcin, .380 caliber pistol, an Iver Johnson .22 caliber revolver, a Frontier Scout .22 caliber revolver, a Frontier Scout .22 caliber revolver, a charter Arms .22 caliber rifle, an Anderson .223 caliber rifle, a Remington 12 gauge shotgun, and a Marlin .22 caliber rifle. He also possessed various rounds of ammunition. He is further charged with possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jason Wayne Gaghins. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug - Involved Premises. Gaghins is charged with intentionally possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. When agents and officers executed a search warrant on Gaghins’ residence, they allegedly discovered more than 20 kilos of methamphetamine. He is further charged with maintaining a drug involved premises. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements’ Homeland Security Investigations, the Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Oklahoma City Police Department are the investigative e agencies.
Josiah Gammill. First Degree Murder in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Gammill, 18, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing Hunter Allen Majors on March 21, 2021. He is further charged with carrying and brandishing a firearm during the crime. See the initial press release announcing charges by criminal complaint.The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Tulsa Police Department and Craig County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Andrew Gibbs. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country (Counts 1-3). Gibbs, 63, of Sapulpa, allegedly sexually abused two children under 12 years of age. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Eugene Harris. Attempted Robbery in Indian Country. Harris, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with using force and violence to commit robbery outside a Quick Trip on Dec. 29, 2020. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are conducting the investigation.
Andrew Blake Hood. Second Degree Burglary in Indian Country. Hood, 24, of Bixby, is charged with breaking and entering into a residence with intent to steal property in the residence. The FBI and Bixby Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jeremy Wayne Lewis. Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country; Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity. From Feb. 1 through March 13, 2019, Lewis, 22, of Claremore, is alleged to have sexually abused a minor between 12 and 16 years of age. He is also charged with using his cell phone to entice the minor to engage in sexual activity. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Catoosa Police Department, and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are the investigative agencies.
Sonny Ray McCombs, Chekota Leetaft Whitetree. Robbery in Indian Country; Theft in Indian Country; Eluding Police Officers in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Using, Carrying, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. McCombs, 30, of Tulsa, and Whitetree, 25, in Okla DOC facility, are charged with aiding and abetting one another when violently forcing a victim out of her 2015 Nissan Sentra in a carjacking on Dec. 15, 2016. The victim was drug approximately 20 feet while she tried to free herself from the vehicle when the defendants started driving away with her car.
In this superseding indictment, McCombs and Whitetree are also charged with theft for shoplifting clothes, face masks and two BB guns valued at $519.10 at Academy Sports the same evening. Later, Tulsa Police officers located the stolen Nissan from the carjacking and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Whitetree allegedly sped away, leading officers on a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, McCombs and Whitetree allegedly aided and abetted one another, discharging a firearm at officers. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Daniel Edrick Miller. Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country (Counts 1 and 2); Assault of an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner by Strangling and Suffocating in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Miller, 34, of Tulsa, allegedly raped a female victim from Feb. 26, 2021, through Feb. 27, 2021 (Counts 1 and 2). He threatened the victim with a firearm. He is further charged with strangling the victim during that time period. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Williams Dwayne Myers. Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country; Assault of an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country. Myers, 37, of Sapulpa, is charged with assaulting an intimate partner, by striking her with his head and hands and violently throwing the victim to the ground causing serious bodily injury on March 23, 2021. He is further charged with strangling the victim. The FBI, Sapulpa Police Department, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Joseph Pointer. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Carjacking; Kidnapping in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Pointer, 42, of Sand Springs, is charged with kidnapping a former intimate partner using force and intimidation and driving her around Tulsa in her vehicle. At one point, the victim was able to break away from Pointer and run into a convenience store where she hid in a bathroom. A store employee called authorities. Tulsa Police officers responded to the call, located the vehicle and conducted a high-risk traffic stop. Officers allegedly located a 12-gauge shot gun and ammunition in the vehicle. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Terrance Dujuan Reed. Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangling, Suffocating, and Attempting to Strangle and Suffocate in Indian Country. Reed, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with strangling and suffocating an intimate partner on Feb. 16, 2020. See the initial press release announcing charges by criminal complaint. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Joe Rice. First Degree Murder in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. Rice, 58, in Okla DOC facility, is charged with killing the victim, Ruth Rice, by beating her about the head and body on Aug. 4, 2011, in Welch. During the assault, he is also alleged to have raped the victim. The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Craig County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Tosha Renee Walker, Robert Anthony Summers. Robbery in Indian Country (Counts 1 and 5); Kidnapping in Indian Country (Counts 2 and 6); Carjacking (Counts 3 and 7); Use or Carry a Firearm During a Crime of Violence (Counts 4 and 8). On Aug. 2, 2020 Walker, 34, of Wagoner, allegedly aided and abetted others when robbing a victim using violence and intimidation (Count 1). She is further charged with aiding and abetting others to kidnap the victim (Count 2). Walker and Summers, 33, of Tulsa, are both charged with aiding and abetting each other to commit a carjacking (Count 3). The pair allegedly drove around with the victim in her vehicle. The victim was eventually able to get away from the defendants who drove off with her Kia Forte. The two allegedly carried a firearm during and in relation to the carjacking (Count 4).
In a separate incident, Walker is charged with aiding and abetting others to rob a victim using violence and intimidation on Dec. 25, 2020, taking items from the victim’s apartment (Count 5). The victim was restrained with duct tape during the incident. Walker is also charged aiding and abetting others to kidnap the victim (Count 6). She is further charged with aiding and abetting another to carjack the victim, leaving the scene with the victim’s Subaru Impreza (Count 7). Finally, Walker is charged with aiding and abetting another when she carried a firearm during and in relation to the carjacking (Count 8). The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Three Plead Guilty to Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
Three defendants have pleaded guilty to methamphetamine charges that resulted from an investigation conducted by the Tulsa Housing Authority Community Enhancement Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Albert Douglas Parker, 35, and Tina Marie Tankersley, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Charles Studie and others to distribute pure methamphetamine and to maintaining their public housing unit as a drug involved premises to use and distribute methamphetamine. Marty Jay Foster, 53, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug involved premises to use methamphetamine.
“The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, and my office dismantled this methamphetamine distribution operation, and these defendants now face time in federal prison for their crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The law enforcement community remains committed to protecting families living within Tulsa’s neighborhoods from this deadly drug and from the violence that accompanies methamphetamine distribution.”
Parker and Tankersley admitted that they intentionally conspired with others to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute the drug from June 2019 to August 2020. The two defendants’ involvement required the participation, direction, and action of others, and all parties worked together for their shared mutual benefit, including monetary profit and drugs. The two further admitted to maintaining their public housing unit for the purpose of distributing and using methamphetamine beginning on Nov. 15, 2019. Parker will be sentenced June 29, 2021, and Tankersley will be sentenced July 2, 2021.
Foster pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises for the purpose of using methamphetamine from June 2019 to August 2020. Sentencing is set for June 30, 2021.
Also named in the indictment is Charles Dean Studie, 36, of Tulsa, who pleaded guilty on Jan. 28, 2021, to drug conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He will be sentenced May 26, 2021.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputies that make up the Tulsa Housing Authority Community Enhancement Unit pursued this investigation as part of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the families that live within the Tulsa Housing Authority complexes. The Community Enhancement Unit (CEU) was created through a partnership between the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Tulsa Housing Authority.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Nassar and Ryan Heatherman are prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 96 months in Federal Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was sentenced Wednesday in federal court for distribution of heroin, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Jimmie Luna III, 56, of Tulsa, to 96 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. When determining the sentence, Judge Heil also considered the extensive history and nature of Luna’s prior convictions.
On June 5, 2020, Tulsa County Deputies attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant on Luna. Deputies located Luna at a local hotel, and after arriving saw the defendant’s girlfriend exit the room. Deputies approached her and asked if she had any drugs. She told them she had drugs that belonged to Luna who was in the hotel room and retrieved multiple baggies from her bra: five baggies containing brown and black tar heroin and another containing Alprazolam, also known as Xanax. Luna had directed her to dispose of the drugs.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Nasar and Joel-lyn McCormick prosecuted the case.
Man Charged with Shooting with Intent to KillRead the Press Release
A man has been charged in federal court for shooting a woman Saturday near Sheridan Road and Interstate 244, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Isaiah Matthew Drywater, 23, was charged by criminal complaint with shooting with intent to kill in Indian Country and with being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance today in federal court at 2 pm.
On March 27, 2021, just after 7 pm, Tulsa police officers responded to the shooting. Officers observed two individuals lying on the ground, including a female victim who had sustained four gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a hospital for care. Drywater, whose clothing matched the description reported to authorities, was also lying on the ground with a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol a few feet away. Officers ran a records check on the firearm and discovered it was reported stolen in October 2020.
According to the charging document, officers spoke to four witnesses during their investigation. One heard the shots and looked in the direction of the crime, seeing a man and woman. He stated that it looked like the male shot the victim and recognized the man as a person called “Happy.” He said he saw “Happy” pulled the trigger then empty his handgun’s magazine. He then saw the man lie on the ground and throw the gun away from himself.
During an interview, officers explained to Drywater they were investigating a shooting and that he was a suspect. The defendant denied shooting anyone but said he thought his friend and her dog had been shot. He said the two had met through a mutual acquaintance. According to court documents, Drywater stated that he had used methamphetamine and PCP that day and that he had a Smith & Wesson 9 mm firearm and almost a full magazine that he carried in his waistband or backpack to conceal it. The defendant explained that he traded drugs and money for the gun. He also allegedly told officers that he remembered hanging out with an acquaintance and the victim and the next thing he remembered was being in a police car. Officers terminated the interview when the defendant asked for an attorney.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the criminal complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Heatherman is prosecuting the case.
Bristow Man Sentenced for Assaulting his Domestic PartnerRead the Press Release
A Bristow man was sentenced today for assaulting his former girlfriend and causing substantial bodily injury, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“The fear and control domestic abusers exert on their victims is terrifying. Bobby Thompson threatened the victim and her family, beat her, and attempted to strangle her,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thompson will spend the next 24 months in prison where he will no longer be able to intimidate and harm this victim or her family.”
U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Bobby Brian Thompson, 39, to 24 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release.
Thompson pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a spouse, intimate partner, dating partner in Indian Country in December. In his plea agreement, Thompson admitted that on or about June 11, 2020, in Bristow, Oklahoma, he assaulted his dating partner. Specifically, he admitted to striking the victim with his fists and strangling her. The victim suffered substantial bodily injury as a result of his assault upon her.
The FBI and Bristow Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella prosecuted the case.
Man Faces First Degree Murder Charge for a 2005 Triple HomicideRead the Press Release
A man previously convicted in state court of a 2005 triple homicide appeared by video conference at a preliminary hearing today in federal court, said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“Clarance Goode Jr. has been charged for the 2005 murders of Tara Burchett-Thompson, her daughter Kayla, and Mitch Thompson in Owasso,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “My office is working diligently to ensure that violent criminals are held accountable in light of recent jurisdictional court decisions, and we will do so again in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Fries, who has more than 35 years of experience bringing violent offenders to justice, will lead the prosecution on behalf of the victims and their families.”
Clarance Rozell Goode Jr., also known as “C-Note,” 44, has been charged with murder in the first degree in Indian Country. Goode’s state conviction was overturned in March based on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals’ ruling recognizing the Cherokee Nation Reservation had never been disestablished and that crimes occurring on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants fall under federal and tribal jurisdiction.
Based on evidence presented in the criminal complaint and affidavit, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jodi F. Jane found probable cause to continue to trial and ordered Goode Jr. be held in custody as the case proceeds in federal court.
According to court documents, Goode Jr., along with accomplices Ronald Dwayne Thompson and Kenneth Dominick Johnson entered an Owasso residence and shot and killed the three victims on Aug. 25, 2005. Mitch Thompson and Tara Burchette-Thompson were asleep in the master bedroom, and 10-year-old Kyla Burchett was asleep on a pallet next to their bed when the murders occurred. The child’s primary residence was with her grandparents but had convinced them to let her stay at her mother’s home that night.
The next morning, Kayla Burchett’s grandmother went to the residence to pick up the young girl, discovered the victims and contacted authorities. At the crime scene, multiple 9 mm and .357 Sig Sauer spent cartridges were located in the master bedroom. Other smaller diameter apparent bullet holes were found in the bedroom wall.
During the investigation, authorities discovered an alleged inter-familial dispute, which involved attacks with baseball bats, occurring between the victim Mitch Thompson and Ronald Thompson. Witnesses reported hearing threats made by Ronald Thompson and Clarance Goode Jr. to “even the score” during those attacks, other harassment, and drug transactions.
Tulsa Police officers located Thompson, who allegedly named Goode Jr. and Kenneth Johnson as coconspirators. During an interview, Thompson stated that he went to another room in the house initially until he heard the gun shots and a scream. He stated that he entered the master bedroom where Goode Jr. ordered him, at gunpoint, to fire his weapon, but he claimed he didn’t aim at the victims. Goode Jr. also allegedly told his girlfriend about the killings and told her to “watch the television” if she didn’t believe him.
The FBI is the lead investigative agency in cooperation with the Owasso Police Department, who was the primary investigating department at the time of the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis A. Fries is prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the criminal complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bartlesville Man Pleads Guilty for Downloading and Viewing More than 1200 Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A 76-year-old Bartlesville man who downloaded and viewed more than 1200 images and 79 videos of child pornography on his electronic devices pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Richard Lee Ryan Jr. pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III ordered the defendant to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service on April 5, and set sentencing for June 30, 2021.
“Child pornography is not a victimless crime. For nearly a year, Richard Ryan Jr. hid behind a screen and downloaded images of children being exploited and raped. With every download and view, he revictimized those children again and again,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thanks to our partners at the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, Mr. Ryan will be held accountable for his actions.”
Ryan Jr. admitted that from June 26, 2019, to June 6, 2020, he knowingly possessed and viewed child pornography, which involved at least one prepubescent minor and a minor that had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Investigators initially discovered Ryan Jr. when he uploaded an image of child pornography to a chat on an online messaging app. On June 6, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed at the defendant’s home and numerous electronic devices were seized, five of which contained child pornography. Investigators discovered 79 videos and more than 1200 images depicting child rape and bestiality on the devices.
The FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin D. Hargrove and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case.
Felon Pleads Guilty to Holding a Woman at Knifepoint in an Attempted RobberyRead the Press Release
A felon who held a woman at knifepoint two days after he was released from prison pleaded guilty today in federal court, said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Kuna-Gi Lowe pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in Indian Country and assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country. According to the written plea agreement, the defendant will be sentenced to 70 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III will make the final sentencing determination at hearing set for June 29, 2021.
According to court hearings, after being released from prison on felony charges, the defendant took a bus to Tulsa and began drinking heavily over the next several days. Lowe was out of money on August 29, 2019, when he entered an insurance agency where the victim was working and inquired about “opening an account.” Lowe then grabbed the female victim, pulled out a large knife and demanded money as he asked the victim if she “knew what he could do to her”. The victim pulled out of the defendant’s grasp and told Lowe she was calling the police as she fled to the business next door. Tulsa police officers located Lowe a short distance away. The victim confirmed Lowe was the assailant, and he was arrested.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson praised the FBI and Tulsa Police Department for their efforts in bringing Lowe to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting the case. Mr. Lenhardt is a prosecutor from the Western District of Pennsylvania. He volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.
Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- MarchRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the March 2021 Federal Grand Jury B.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Eric Lee Adams. Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Threat in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Adams, 42, of Pryor, allegedly threatened the victim with a knife, held it to her neck and raped her on Aug. 25, 2020. The Pryor Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Ricardo Avalos. Distribution of Methamphetamine; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Avalos, 21, of Tulsa, is charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on Jan. 14, 2021, and with maintaining a residence to distribute methamphetamine between Jan 14 and March 3, 2021. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Issac Eli Pigeon and Austin Avelar. Robbery in Indian Country; Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Pigeon, 18, and Austin Avelar, 18, both of Tulsa, allegedly aided and abetted one another during a robbery on Jan. 20, 2021. The two men are also charged with brandishing a firearm during the crime. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Eric Steven Bentley, Nicole Marie Dileva, Derrick Wayne Deeds. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes; Felon in Possession of Firearms. Bentley, 34, Dileva, 34, and Deeds, 36, all of Bakersfield, California, are alleged to have aided and abetted each other to knowingly possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on Oct. 31, 2020. They are also charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl on Oct. 31, 2020. The trio are also charged possession of firearms to further their drug trafficking crimes: a Herman Weihrauch .38 Special caliber revolver and a Jimenez Arms, Inc., 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol. Finally, Bentley is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. The Mannford Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Christine Marie Bowman and Rommel A. Navarro Jr. Child Abuse in Indian Country (COUNTS 1 and 2). Bowman and Navarro Jr. are each charged with aiding and abetting one another to commit child abuse. The defendants willfully and maliciously harmed and threatened harm to the health, safety, and welfare of a child under the age of 18 known to the Grand Jury, by striking and beating the child with a closed fist, belt, and hanger, and by wounding the child’s arms, abdomen, back, and legs. Navarro is also accused of feeding the child hot sauce. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Matthew Dewane Carter, Donovan Dale Freeman, Courtney Rochelle Littlefield, Jonathan Michael Griffin, and Caleb Ross Lewis. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Drug Conspiracy; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country (2nd superseding). Carter, 32, of Pryor, Freeman, 28, of Choteau, Littlefield, 30, of Pryor, Griffin, 36, of Madill, and Lewis, 44, of Pryor, are charged with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Carter is charged with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 23, 2019, and Freeman and Littlefield are also charged with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Jan. 22, 2020. Finally, Carter is charged with assaulting an individual on Feb. 25, 2020, while in the Mayes County jail. The Mayes County Sheriff’s Office and Pryor Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Edgar Chairez, Jaylene Algarin-Mora, First Name/Last Name Unknown aka Lupita. Drug Conspiracy; Distribution of Heroin; Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Chairez, 19, of Tulsa, and FNU LNU aka Lupita are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Chairez is charged with knowingly distributing heroin on Nov 18, 2020, and with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin on March 2, 2021. Chairez and Algarin-Mora,19, of Tulsa, are charged with maintaining a residence to for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing and using marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and lysergic acid diethylamide. The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Pamela Kathryn Conley. Bank Fraud (Counts 1-20); Aggravated Identity Theft (Counts 21-23) (superseding). In this superseding indictment, Conley, 58, of Catoosa, has been charged with defrauding ten Oklahoma banks when she falsified and submitted documents to apply for $879,015.02 in loans. From September 2016 to Feb. 23, 2021, Conley allegedly executed a scheme to enrich herself by knowingly submitting loan applications containing false income and employment information at ten banks and credit unions. According to the indictment, Conley forged earning statements which she provided to the financial institutions as proof of income. Conley falsified the statements to reflect that she held positions such as manager and chief financial officer, earning a salary of $200,000 or more annually or $18,000 a month.
The indictment alleges that on occasion, when loans were secured with collateral, Conley created fictitious lien releases for the collateral, using the notarized signature of unwitting financial institution employees. Conley then caused the bogus lien releases to be filed with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which in turn provided Conley with titles to the collateral, free and clear of any liens. Conley would then approach new lenders to obtain loans secured by collateral she did not own free and clear. IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service are the investigative agencies.
Johnny Little Cook. Murder – First Degree in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. On Feb 24, 2021, Cook, 43, of Tulsa, allegedly shot and killed Xzavior Frost. He is further charged with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Kevin Tyler Foster. Murder – First Degree in Indian Country; Tampering with Documents and Proceedings by Corruptly Altering, Destroying, Mutilating, and Concealing a Record, Document, and Other Object. Foster, 35, of Bixby, is charged with deliberately and with premeditation shooting and killing Rick Swan on Nov. 15, 2018. He is further charged with setting fire to the victim’s recreational vehicle and body with intent to make it unavailable as evidence in the investigation. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Marvell William Gant. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Gant, 39, of Memphis, Tennessee, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Hi-Point 9x19mm semi-automatic rifle. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Omar Heriberto Garcia-Luna. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by an Alien Illegally in the United States (superseding). Garcia-Luna, 20, of Tulsa, was allegedly found to be in the United States illegally after being deported in April 2020. He is further charged with being a felon in possession of a CANIK 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Hanks; Leonard Loyd Martin; Billie Jo Bunch. Hanks, 47, of Casa Grande, Arizona, and Martin, 59, and Bunch, 39, both of Mountain View, Missouri, are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, and Oklahoma City Police Department conducted the investigation.
Shane Michael Hannaford. Bank Fraud (Counts 1-10). Hannaford, 39, of Tulsa, allegedly planned and executed multiple schemes to defraud investors and their banks of approximately $607, 170.61. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Joseph Alfred Hansen. Second Degree Murder in Indian Country; Assault with Intent to Commit Murder; Carrying, Using, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Hanson, 33, of Kansas, Oklahoma, is charged with willfully engaging in a felony that resulted in the death of Trifton Wacoche on Nov. 1, 2020. Hanson is further charged with aiding and abetting Wacoche in an assault with intent to kill another individual. He is further charged with carrying and discharging a firearm during the crime. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Mayes County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are the investigative agencies.
Thelma Marie Karty. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury in Indian Country. On March 11, 2020, Karty, 38, of Tulsa, allegedly assaulted a minor with a wooden stick, resulting in substantial bodily injury. She is also charged with child neglect. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Jacob Patrick Krafft. Murder- Second Degree. Jacob Krafft, 39, of Helena, is charged with shooting and killing the victim with a rifle on Oct. 21, 2016. The Broken Arrow Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Brieanna Alyn Long. Threatening to Engage in Conduct Which Would Cause Bodily Injury to a Witness. Between Feb. 1 and Feb 20, 2021, Long, 22, of Reeds, Missouri, knowingly threatened to engage in conduct which would cause bodily injury to a witness who provided information to law enforcement relating to the possible commission of a federal offense. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Roberto Montel Madden; Cheetara Denise Venable. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition (Counts 1, 3, 4); Felon in Possession of Ammunition (Count 2) (superseding). Madden, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Beretta .40 S&W caliber pistol and ammunition and with being a felon in possession of 17 rounds of .40 S&W caliber ammunition discovered on Nov. 26, 2020. He is also charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, six rounds of 9mm Luger caliber ammunition, and one round of 9 mm caliber ammunition as aided by Venable and discovered on Jan. 18, 2021. Venable, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, six rounds of 9mm Luger caliber ammunition, and 1 round of 9 mm caliber ammunition as aided by Madden. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
James Damien McIntosh. Sexual Abuse by Threat in Indian Country; Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country; Incest in Indian Country; Attempted Coercion and Enticement and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity. Between March 18, 2015, and Dec. 10, 2019, McIntosh, 43, of Tulsa, allegedly sexually abused a minor between the ages of 12 and 17. The defendant threatened the minor, forcing her to engage in sexual acts with him. Finally, he also used a cell phone and messaging app as part of his crimes. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Badlands Justice McNally. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. On March 16, 2021, McNally, 29, of Tulsa, allegedly possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are the investigative agencies.
Johnny Edward Mize, Jr. Murder- Second Degree in Indian Country. Mize Jr., 35, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing a Native American juvenile on July 4, 2017. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Carl Gene Ortner, Jr. Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity; Sexual Abuse of a Child in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country; Possession of Parts of a Bald Eagle; Possession of Parts of a Golden Eagle (superseding). Ortner Jr., 57, of Quapaw, is charged with abusing a minor between 12 and 16 years of age and illegally possessing feathers, talons and heads from seven bald eagles and seven golden eagles. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Office of Law Enforcement, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, FBI, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are the investigative agencies.
Edward Joseph Parson. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Parson, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with sexually abusing a minor under the age of 12-years-old from Jan 1, 2018, to March 2019. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Elverio Pascual, Leticia Aguirre, Enrique Esquivel-Nieto, Nicholas Lee Givens. Drug Conspiracy. Pascual, 34, and Aguirre, 41, both residing in Oklahoma Department of Corrections facilities; Givens, 41, residing in an Oklahoma jail; and Esquivel-Nieto, 26, of Plano, Texas, are charged with conspiring to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The FBI, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Gray County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, Tulsa Police Department, and Oklahoma City Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Douglas Provence. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner in Indian Country; Assault of an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle and Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Provence, 43, of Sapulpa, charged with assaulting a female victim by striking her with his fist and wooden broom handle as well as strangling the victim on Dec. 14, 2018. The Sapulpa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Bobby Dwain Schrimsher, Jr. Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes. Schrimsher Jr., 26, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. He is further charged with maintaining a residence for the purpose of distributing and using heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Finally, he is charged with possessing a firearm to further his drug trafficking crimes. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Jonhron Starks. Murder- Second Degree in Indian Country. Starks, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with shooting and killing Dre’Leigha Everidge-Taylor on Sept. 19, 2020. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Christopher L. Weeley. Murder – Second Degree in Indian Country; Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. On March 6, 2021, Weeley, 41, of Jay, is alleged to have shot and killed Annie Marie Weeley. He further shot a second victim with intent to commit murder. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and FBI conducted the investigation.
Kamau Jahi Williams. Distribution of Methamphetamine. Williams, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly distributing methamphetamine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson’s Statement on the Death of Corporal Kyle Davis of the Washington County Sheriff’s OfficeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla.– Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson has released the following statement:
“On behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Corporal Kyle Davis, who served his community in law enforcement for 13 years. We stand with you and with the men and women of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in mourning a tremendous loss. Members of law enforcement purposefully risk their lives each and every day they go to work so that we all can live in the safety and security of our homes and communities.”
Tulsa Man Charged for a Craig County MurderRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man has been charged in federal court for a murder that occurred in Craig County on March 21, 2021, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Josiah Gammill was charged with murder in the first degree in Indian Country and made an initial appearance today at 2 pm in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul J. Cleary.
Law enforcement discovered the victim’s body along with two expended shotgun shell hulls and the victim’s wallet and cellphone on County Road E 260, near an intersection with County Road S 4440. The victim was found with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. The crime was committed within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation.
According to the criminal complaint, Gammill, the victim and two other passengers were traveling on the road and stopped the vehicle for a short break. Shortly after the group got out of the car, Gammill is alleged to have retrieved a shotgun from the trunk of the vehicle, walked toward the victim and fired two shots into the victim’s torso. Gammill and the others reportedly drove away from the scene and returned to Tulsa.
During the investigation, Tulsa Police detectives and agents and officers assigned to the FBI’s Safe Trails Task Force located multiple items allegedly linking the defendant to the murder, including burned clothing remnants, a shotgun shell, and a shotgun. The Tulsa Police Department’s Fugitive Squad arrested the defendant in his room at the Tulsa Inn and Suites.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the criminal complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Tulsa Police Department and Craig County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Urban is prosecuting the case.
Man Pleads Guilty for Killing a Sand Springs Woman in a Drunk Driving CollisionRead the Press Release
A drunk driver who killed a woman in a 2019 collision pleaded guilty today to second degree murder in Indian Country, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Hector Manuel Hernandez, 36, of Tulsa, admitted that he rear-ended a car while driving on South Garnett Road, and as he fled the first accident, hit the victim’s automobile head on. Jennifer Holt died from injuries sustained in the collision. Hernandez had a blood alcohol level of .250. He was previously convicted for DUI in Rogers County in 2007.
“Hector Hernandez made a series of incredibly selfish choices on Nov. 26, 2019. He drove with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit, erratically sped away after causing one accident, then crossed the center line and took Jennifer Holt’s life,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I appreciate the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Bish who secured today’s conviction for Jennifer and her family. Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29.”
The Broken Arrow Police Department, FBI and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Bish is prosecuting the case. AUSA Bish is from the Western District of New York. He volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 55 Months in Prison after Threatening Civilians, Officer with a FirearmRead the Press Release
A man who pointed a gun at civilians and in the direction of a Broken Arrow police officer was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Jonathan David Kelley, 36, of Tulsa, to 55 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. In November, Kelley pleaded guilty to being a felon and drug user in possession of a firearm.
“Jonathan Kelley is a convicted felon and methamphetamine user and as such, is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm. He was a danger to the public and law enforcement officers serving our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Now, he is no longer a threat because violating federal firearms laws has serious consequences. He will serve more than five years in prison for his crimes. I am thankful for the officers and agents of the Broken Arrow and Tulsa Police Departments and ATF, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Morgan, who leads our 2150 Initiative. Their work is critical to protecting Oklahomans and reducing gun crime in our communities.”
Broken Arrow Police Officers encountered Kelley disoriented and waving around a gun in public on Sept. 5, 2020. The defendant also pointed the gun at two civilians earlier in the day. During the incident, Kelley refused the officers’ commands to drop the firearm and continued walking away, cycling the firearm and telling officers he “had a round in the chamber.” Kelley also pointed his gun in the direction of an officer who arrived during the incident. Officers were eventually able to apprehend and arrest the defendant safely and collect the Glock 17 pistol with a round in the chamber.
According to the government’s sentencing motion, Tulsa police officers had also responded to a domestic violence call involving Kelley and his gun on Aug. 29, 2020.
The Broken Arrow Police Department, Tulsa Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan prosecuted the case.
Kelley was prosecuted as part of the 2150 Initiative, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Tulsa Police Department, ATF, and all other local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement partners to combat violent crime by focusing efforts on prohibited persons in possession of firearms as well as those responsible as the “source” of the firearms to prohibited persons. The initiative was named in memory of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson. Sgt. Johnson’s badge number, 2150, was selected for the initiative as a way to honor his life and his commitment to the Tulsa community. This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.
Tulsa Man Convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact with a MinorRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty today in federal court for sexually abusing a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Oscar Manuel Cabrera-Westerheidy, 37, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a minor under 12 years of age in Indian Country and abusive sexual contact with a minor between 12 and 16 years of age in Indian Country.
“Oscar Cabrera-Westerheidy took advantage of a position of trust and sexually abused this child for nine years. Thankfully, in an act of courage done to protect others, she spoke out against her abuser,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I am proud of the prosecutors in my office and our partners at the FBI and Tulsa Police Department who brought this predator to justice.”
Cabrera-Westerheidy admitted that from January 2011 through August 2020, he sexually abused a child for his own sexual gratification. The victim disclosed the abuse to a parent out of concern that the defendant was caring for other children.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for June 17, 2021.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chantelle D. Dial is prosecuting the case. Ms.Dial is a prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations. Ms. Dial recently extended six more months to assist with the mission.
Defendant Faces Federal Charges for the 2015 Murder of Sapulpa ManRead the Press Release
A man convicted in Creek County for a murder that occurred during a 2015 robbery was charged in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. The defendant’s state conviction was dismissed today by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for lack of jurisdiction.
Arnold Dean Howell Jr., 27, was charged by criminal complaint with murder in the first degree in Indian Country.
Because Howell is an enrolled tribal member and the crime occurred within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, the state conviction was vacated and ordered dismissed.
According to federal court documents, Howell and his sister Katherine Freeman, conspired to rob the victim at his home in Sapulpa. Investigators allege that during the robbery, Freeman held the victim at gunpoint with one of the victim’s rifles then Howell directed her to get a knife from the kitchen. He is alleged to have repeatedly stabbed the victim. When the knife broke, another was retrieved, and Howell continued his attack causing the victim’s death. Howell and Freemen stole, among other things, the victim’s vehicle, wallet, watch, two rifles, and laptop.
The victim was found deceased the next day during a welfare check, and his vehicle was later discovered abandoned in Tulsa.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Sapulpa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cymetra M. Williams and Christopher M. Kelly are prosecuting the case.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the criminal complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Man Charged for Violent Assault on Former Intimate PartnerRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man has been charged in federal court for assaulting and strangling his former intimate partner, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Terrance DuJuan Reed, 29, was charged by criminal complaint with assault of an intimate partner by strangling, suffocating, or attempting to strangle or suffocate in Indian Country. The crime occurred in Tulsa within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.
According to the complaint and affidavit, Reed asked for a ride when the victim picked up her two minor children from his mother’s home on Feb. 16, 2020. During the car ride, Reed began yelling and questioning the victim about a recent trip she took with friends and once they arrived at his destination demanded to check her text messages. Following the victim’s refusal to hand over her cell phone, Reed allegedly punched the victim, dragged her from the car and began to strangle the victim with his hands. He then allegedly placed his arm around her throat and neck and strangled her until she passed out. He continued his violent attack by punching the victim in the head, eyes and mouth. Upon regaining consciousness, she attempted to call 911 for help, but Reed took her cell phone and fled the scene.
The victim drove herself to a family member’s home to receive help. 911 was called, and emergency responders transported the victim to the hospital for care.
Reed was located and arrested by Tulsa Police officers on Feb.17, 2020.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams is prosecuting the case. Ms. Williams is a prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations. Ms. Williams recently extended six more months to assist with the mission.
This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the criminal complaint is currently pending. A complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal grand jury within 30 days. Once a grand jury returns an indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sapulpa Man Admits to Sexually Abusing a ChildRead the Press Release
A Sapulpa man pleaded guilty today in federal court for sexually abusing a 7-year-old child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson
Casey Brandon Peterson, 35, pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 years of age.
In a written plea agreement, Casey Peterson stated that one time, between June 2019 and October 2019, he knowingly engaged in sexual contact with the child. Peterson admitted that he pulled down the victim’s pants and underwear and made sexual contact with the child. He then told the victim not to tell anyone.
Authorities were alerted in February 2020 when the victim saw the defendant again for the first time in several months, started crying and disclosed to a parent the acts that Peterson committed.
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell set sentencing for June 14, 2021.
The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Gilmore is prosecuting the case.
Defendant Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter after Killing a Man at Tulsa’s Downtown Bus StationRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was sentenced today in federal court for involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country after killing Barry James Harrell during a brief altercation in downtown Tulsa, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Harlan Frank Hardiman, 51, to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
“Harlan Hardiman punched Barry Harrell in the head and walked away. When Mr. Harrell fell, his head struck the concrete, and he lay unconscious for 15 minutes before being discovered by a Tulsa police officer. He later died as a result of the injuries sustained at the hands of the defendant,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Harlan Hardiman will now spend the next two years in federal prison for his actions. I am thankful for the Tulsa Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Fletcher who pursued justice for the victim and his family.”
At a November plea hearing, Hardiman admitted that on Sept. 3, 2020, he punched Harrell in the head at the downtown Tulsa Transit bus terminal located at 319 S. Denver Ave. As a result of the punch, the victim fell and hit his head on the concrete sidewalk. Harrell subsequently died of a massive head bleed, called a subdural hematoma.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Fletcher is prosecuted the case. AUSA Fletcher is a prosecutor from the Northern District of Iowa. He volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the increased volume of cases since the Supreme Court’s ruling which stated the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress. The United States and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have jurisdiction of all cases that occur on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson’s Statement Regarding the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals’ Ruling in Hogner v. OklahomaRead the Press Release
“The men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office have worked tirelessly to pursue justice and support victims of crime, and we will continue to do so in response to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals’ ruling in Hogner v. Oklahoma,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “So far in 2021, the Northern District of Oklahoma has welcomed a team of new Assistant U.S. Attorneys, legal support staff and victim specialists to help address the increased caseload resulting from the changing jurisdictional landscape in Oklahoma, and we continue to advocate for more federal resources. A group of federal prosecutors, operating since the McGirt decision, has also been charged with reviewing cases that occur on Cherokee Nation lands involving Native American defendants or victims. These prosecutors will either refer the cases to Cherokee Nation for prosecution or accept them for federal prosecution. Rest assured, our office will work in close partnership with local District Attorneys, the Cherokee Nation Attorney General as well as local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure the continued provision of public safety for the people of northeastern Oklahoma.”
Two Defendants Sentenced for Domestic Violence CrimesRead the Press Release
Jared Andrew Evans and Lakota Ray Scott were sentenced today in federal court in separate domestic violence cases, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“In both of these cases, the defendants chose to put their hands around their partners’ necks in an attempt to strangle them. Tragically, domestic abuse often escalates from strangulation to homicide,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This team of federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials will continue to hold accountable perpetrators of domestic violence for the trauma they inflict on their partners, families and communities.”
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Jared Andrew Evans, 29, of Sapulpa, to 40 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to an intimate partner and dating partner in Indian Country.
Evans admitted that on May 22, 2020, he struck his girlfriend in the back of the head, knocking her down to the ground and resulting in a laceration. He also attempted to strangle the victim and kicked her in the stomach, causing her to throw up.
The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reagan V. Reininger prosecuted the case.
Lakota Ray Scott, 34, of Tulsa, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for domestic assault by strangulation in Indian Country and for robbery in Indian Country. Further, Scott agreed to take part in a drug and alcohol treatment program while imprisoned.
In 2017, Scott, a member of the Cherokee Nation, received a three-year deferred probation sentence from the state for the crimes, but she later requested her case be dismissed based on the Supreme Court’s jurisdictional decision in McGirt v Oklahoma. Once the case was dismissed, the United States filed charges against the defendant.
At a December plea hearing, Scott explained that on March 16, 2016, during an argument, Scott tackled the victim in the living room and strangled the victim. Scott also grabbed a flat screen television and smashed it over the victim’s head twice.
Scott further admitted to stealing a pick-up truck that was idling while the owner was just a few feet away on Jan. 31, 2019. When the owner saw the defendant in his truck, Scott locked the doors and put the vehicle in drive. The owner jumped into the bed of the truck and Scott drove off erratically and in a dangerous manner. The victim was thrown around in the truck bed during the ride and believed that Scott was trying to intentionally throw him out of the bed of the truck. The victim’s hands, legs, chest and head were injured. Scott then crashed the truck into a fence and ran. She was eventually found in a parking garage, hiding from authorities.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Gilmore prosecuted the case.
Talala Man Sentenced for Writing String of Counterfeit Checks at 4 Oklahoma DealershipsRead the Press Release
A Talala man who knowingly wrote counterfeit checks to purchase vehicles at dealerships in Tulsa, Sand Springs, and Collinsville was sentenced in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
“Scotty Belcher passed a series of counterfeit checks, totaling $159,490, to Oklahoma businesses for the purchase of multiple vehicles and equipment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thanks to the hard work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles McLoughlin, the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and the Tulsa, Sand Springs and Collinsville Police Departments, this fraudster and counterfeit check writer was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.”
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Scotty Lee Belcher, 31, also known as “Native,” to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Frizzell further ordered the defendant to pay $2,541.40 to Synergy Motor Works of Tulsa for safety equipment as well as damage costs to two of the motorcycles obtained with counterfeit checks. By the close of April, the Court will also determine the final restitution amount to be paid to Kent’s Custom Cars of Collinsville. The other dealerships recovered their vehicles with no financial losses.
Belcher previously pleaded guilty to one count of possessing and uttering a forged security in the amount of $37, 800 for the purchase of motorcycles at a Tulsa dealership, and to counterfeit forfeiture.
In his written plea agreement, Belcher admitted to fraudulently purchasing four motorcycles, safety equipment, and requested modifications from a dealership in Tulsa. On Aug. 21, 2020, he made payments using three counterfeit checks in the amounts of $37,800, $31, 800 and $2, 240. Belcher told the dealership that the funds came from a trust. The dealership contacted Wells Fargo to confirm the check was on an active account, and Belcher provided the information needed to ensure the purchase went forward. He then signed for the motorcycles and left with three along with the safety equipment. In his statement, Belcher explained that he knew the checks were counterfeit and that his intent was to fool the dealership into believing the checks were legitimate. Belcher also acknowledged that he committed further crimes at three other dealerships.
While Belcher was on bond for writing counterfeit checks at two dealerships in 2019, he purchased two other vehicles at dealerships using separate counterfeit checks on Dec. 9, 2019. After he purchased a 2014 Chevrolet pickup and drove off the lot, the owner of the dealership realized the check was no good and reported the crime to the Tulsa Police Department. Later the vehicle was spotted in traffic by a dealership employee. Tulsa Police responded but lost Belcher. He was located by air in the department’s helicopter, and officers were directed to the defendant’s final location at the Osage Casino in Sand Springs, where he was arrested after being pursued by police canine units.
The U.S. Secret Service, FBI, Tulsa Police Department, Sand Springs Police Department, and Collinsville Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. McLoughlin prosecuted the case.
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- MarchRead the Press Release
Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson announced today the results of the March Federal Grand Jury A.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumptions of innocence.
Pedro Santiago Cabrera, Rolando Reyna Reyes, Desiree Loraine Castaneda, Erneesto Cerda, Jorge Guerrero Perez, Gabriel Vidales-Moreno, Carlos Yepez, Gerardo Yepez and Jorge Yepez. Drug Conspiracy; Possession With Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine; Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises; Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing, and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony. Pedro Santiago Cabrerra, 36, Rolando Reyna Reyes, 34; Desiree Loraine Castaneda, 33; Erneesto Cerda, age unknown; Jorge Guerrero Perez, 41; Gabriel Vidales-Moreno 41; Carlos Yepez, 41; Gerardo Yepez, 35; and Jorge Yepez, 25, are charged with conspiring to manufacture, to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. All male defendants are unlawfully residing in the United States. Castaneda is a U.S. citizen. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Dustin Lee Dennis; Michael Scott Dennis. Child Neglect in Indian Country (4 counts); Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing, and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony (12 counts) (superseding). From June 12 to June 13, 2020, Dustin Dennis, 32, of Tulsa, allegedly failed to provide adequate care for his two children, who died while under his supervision. During the same timeframe, Dustin Dennis is further charged with failing to protect his children from exposure to the use, possession and sale of illegal drugs and illegal activities. Further, Dustin Dennis and his brother Michael Dennis, 49, of Tulsa, are charged with use of a communication facility in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony on June 12 and June 13 and other dates alleged in the indictment. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Find the initial complaint press release here.
Teddy Charles Devore; Kelly Eugene Wren. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Devore, 35, of Wichita, Kansas, and Wren, 42, of Bartlesville, are each charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The Bartlesville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
Jordan Taylor Kuykendall. Murder-Second Degree Indian Country. Kuykendall, 24, of Owasso, allegedly killed Charles Botts by stabbing him on May 17, 2020. The FBI and Owasso Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jaquan Dawante Lee. Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country; Assault by Strangulation in Indian Country. Lee, 27, of Tulsa, allegedly broke into a home by kicking in the door while the occupants were present. He is further charged with assaulting an intimate partner by attempting to strangle and suffocate her. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Caleb Logan McCabe. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. McCabe, 25, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Century Arms 7.62 x39 semi-automatic rifle, a Taurus 9 mm pistol and 27 rounds of ammunition. The FBI and Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies.
John Andrew Russell. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. Russell, 54, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 3, 2019, and with knowingly using and maintaining a residence in Tulsa for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Sam. Assault With Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. Sam, 20, and another individual allegedly aided and abetted each other, with intent to commit murder, when they discharged a round into a vehicle the victim was in on April 8, 2019. The victim was stuck in the back of the head with a bullet. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI are the investigative agencies.
David Edward Sayre Jr. Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Carjacking in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. On May 25, 2020, Sayre, 28, of Bartlesville, allegedly carjacked an individual using a firearm, and further robbed the victim of his cell phone and car key. During the incident, Sayre allegedly fired multiple rounds at the victim as he ran to safety. The FBI and Bartlesville Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Stephen Lloyd Spangle. Secured Area of an Airport by False Pretenses. Spangle, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with illegally entering a secure area of the Tulsa International Airport. The FBI and Tulsa International Airport Police are the investigative agencies.
Guy Wheeler Turner. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Turner, 37, of Ralston, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Winchester .22 caliber rifle and 38 rounds ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pawnee Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Lemorris Walton Jr. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by an Unlawful User of Controlled Substances; Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Cocaine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes. Walton Jr., 32, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon and an unlawful drug user in possession of a Herman Weihrauch .38 special revolver, a Maverick 12 gauge shotgun, and 33 rounds of ammunition. According to the indictment, he also possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. Finally, he is charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Billy John Wells; Maddison Joann Summers. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Drug Conspiracy; Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes and Aiding and Abetting; Felon in Possession of Firearms. In December 2020, Wells, 28, and Summers, 24, both of Tulsa, allegedly conspired together to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The two allegedly maintained a residence for the purpose of using and distributing the methamphetamine and owned at least six firearms to further their trafficking crimes. Firearms included a Ruger .380 auto caliber pistol, a Stoger, 9 mm pistol, a Glock .380 auto caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer 9X19 caliber pistol, a Taurus .40 S&W caliber pistol, and a Colt .22 magnum caliber single-action revolver. Wells is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9 mm pistol on Nov. 22, 2020, and with being a felon in possession of six firearms on Dec. 18, 2020. Summers is also charged with being a felon in possession of six firearms on Dec. 18, 2020. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation.
Kendall Ray Whitlow. Child Abuse in Indian Country (2 counts); Child Neglect in Indian Country (superseding). Whitlow, 23, of Tulsa, is alleged to have physically abused a child under the age of 18. Further, Whitlow is charged with child neglect. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Tighe Wilson. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding in Indian Country. Wilson, 60, of Tulsa, is charged with maliciously harming a child under the age of 18 by striking and beating the child with closed fists, causing wounds to the child’s face. Wilson is also charged with assault by striking, beating, and wounding for violently shoving an intimate partner to the ground during the same incident. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Chadwick Andre Young. Child Abuse in Indian Country. Young, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with harming a young child when he punched the person holding the child multiple times, causing the child to be injured, including a skull fracture. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Rogers County Mother Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A 29-year-old Claremore woman has been indicted in federal court for producing child pornography involving her young child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Brittney Jo Wallace was charged with production of child pornography by a parent and with possession of child pornography. The Court ordered Wallace detained pending trial.
“This Office seeks justice for victims, period. The allegations against Brittney Wallace are heartbreaking, and I have confidence that Assistant U.S. Attorney Tilli Villalobos will fight for this young child and hold the defendant accountable under the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I appreciate the dedicated work of the OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Tulsa’s Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation Task Force who led this investigation and their commitment to protecting Oklahoma’s children.”
“We are thankful to work with our state and federal partners on behalf of the children of Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Director Ricky Adams. “Through our collaborative efforts at the local, state and federal levels, we will do all we can to protect our children and take child sexual predators off the streets.”
According to the indictment, Wallace knowingly permitted the young child to engage in sexually explicit activity while she took photos on her cell phone on Sept. 26, 2015. From Sept. 26 to May 13, 2016, Wallace also knowingly possessed with intent to view the child pornography.
At a detention hearing on March 2, Assistant U.S. Attorney Matilda Villalobos argued the defendant was a danger to the community and should be detained based on her criminal record and evidence she abused her children in 2015 and 2016. AUSA Villalobos stated evidence would show that in 2016, the defendant’s children were taken from the home after a doctor found signs of severe child abuse. Wallace’s parental rights were later terminated. The Court ruled in favor of the United States and ordered the defendant detained.
During the 2016 investigation conducted by the State, authorities seized the defendant’s phone which was later suppressed. Recently, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals found the seizure and subsequent search of her phone were proper, and it was turned over to investigators. When authorities conducted a forensic examination of the phone, they discovered the alleged child pornography.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On March 1, 2021, the U.S. Marshal Service arrested Wallace on a federal arrest warrant. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, and Claremore Police Department conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matilda Villalobos is prosecuting the case. AUSA Villalobos is a prosecutor from the District of New Mexico. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the increased volume of cases since the Supreme Court’s ruling which stated the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress.
If you suspect a child is being sexually exploited, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children immediately at 1-800-THE-LOST or cybertipline.org. You can also contact the OSBI ICAC Unit at (800) 522-8017 or [email protected].
Catoosa Woman Charged with Defrauding 7 Banks of $735,396Read the Press Release
A Catoosa woman has been indicted for defrauding seven Oklahoma banks when she falsified and submitted documents to apply for $735,396 in loans, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Pamela Kathryn Conley, 58, is charged with 16 counts of bank fraud and 3 counts of aggravated identity theft.
“Pamela Conley allegedly lied when she applied for more than $735,000 worth of loans, claiming, in part, to make six figures on falsified earning statements,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “White-collar criminals don’t get a pass for the offenses they commit. Agents with the U.S. Secret Service and IRS-Criminal Investigation follow the money and expose their crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is now prepared to hold this alleged white-collar criminal accountable in federal court.”
From September 2016 to Feb. 23, 2021, Conley allegedly executed a scheme to enrich herself by knowingly submitting loan applications containing false income and employment information at seven banks and credit unions. According to the indictment, Conley forged earning statements which she provided to the financial institutions as proof of income. Conley falsified the statements to reflect that she held positions such as manager and chief financial officer, earning a salary of $200,000 or more annually or $18,000 a month.
The indictment alleges that on occasion, when loans were secured with collateral, Conley created fictitious lien releases for the collateral, using the notarized signature of unwitting financial institution employees. Conley then caused the bogus lien releases to be filed with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which in turn provided Conley with titles to the collateral, free and clear of any liens. Conley would then approach new lenders to obtain loans secured by collateral she did not own free and clear.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella is prosecuting the case
Ten Defendants Indicted for Allegedly Trafficking more than 500 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ten defendants have been charged in a superseding indictment with manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamine throughout the Tulsa Metro area, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
During an early morning law enforcement operation targeting members of the drug trafficking organization, ten individuals were arrested. Eight of the ten arrested were named in the indictment.
“Today our partners at the DEA, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics executed arrest and search warrants at eight locations in the Tulsa area, resulting in the arrest of ten suspects. During the take down, shots were fired at law enforcement, who then returned fire. Neither suspects nor law enforcement were injured,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “As evidenced by today’s operation and indictment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement remain intent on disrupting the flow of illicit drugs into our neighborhoods and holding accountable those responsible.”
“This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case originated from the discovery of large methamphetamine conversion labs located within Oklahoma. The DEA, Tulsa Police Department and various other state and local counterparts which comprise the DEA Tulsa High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Metro Task Force, won’t tolerate drug trafficking organizations seeking sanctuary in Oklahoma to perform their illegal operations,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division, which covers all Oklahoma operations. “The DEA will utilize all of its resources to ensure drug traffickers are arrested and face prosecution, and this investigation is a clear example of the resolute determination of the agents, investigators, and analysts working to keep Oklahoma a safer place.”
The 16-count indictment, unsealed today, alleges the defendants conspired to manufacture, to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants have been charged with drug conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine; maintaining a drug involved premises; and use of a communication facility in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Those arrested as part of the indictment include:
Arrested today
Desiree Loraine Castaneda, 33,
Ernesto Cerda, age unknown
Jorge Guerrero Perez, 41
Luis Rodriguez, 32
Gabriel Vidales-Moreno 41
Carlos Yepez, 41
Gerardo Yepez, 35
Jorge Yepez, 25
Previously arrested
Pedro Santiago Cabrerra, 36
Rolando Reyna Reyes, 34
Two other individuals not named in the indictment were also arrested today during the operation and will be charged later this week.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Tonkin and David Nasar are prosecuting the case.
Broken Arrow Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Applying for Paycheck Protection Program Forgivable LoanRead the Press Release
A Broken Arrow man pleaded guilty today for fraudulently applying for a Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Rafael Maturino, 40, of Broken Arrow, pleaded guilty to bank fraud after executing a scheme to defraud First Bank of Owasso when applying for a Paycheck Protection Program loan under false pretenses on April 28, 2020. As part of the plea, the United States and Maturino agreed to a sentence of 12 months and one day of imprisonment and restitution in the amount of $97,800 to be paid to First Bank of Owasso. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan will make the final sentencing determination at a hearing set for June 1, 2021.
“Small businesses employ millions of Americans and are the backbone of our communities. The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to assist legitimate small business owners keep their doors open and Americans employed during the current pandemic,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This office along with the Federal Reserve Board Office of Inspector General, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and the FBI will continue to bring fraudsters, like Maturino, to justice.”
Maturino applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan on behalf of a company he claimed to own and operate, Maturino Enterprises, Inc. Maturino submitted forms that misrepresented the company’s payroll expenditures, amount of taxes paid, and the number of people employed.
In his plea agreement, Maturino admitted that he falsely represented in a Paycheck Protection Program “Borrower Application Form” submitted to First Bank of Owasso that Maturino Enterprises had an average monthly payroll of $39,152.92; had 5 employees; and was in operation on February 15, 2020. He further represented that he would use the requested loan funds to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments, as specified under the Paycheck Protection Program Rule. Maturino then signed the application form certifying the information was truthful.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding, and in December 2020, Congress authorized another $284 billion in additional funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. Paycheck Protection Program loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set period and use a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Office of Inspector General; Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General; and FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a ChildRead the Press Release
A man who was convicted of sexually abusing a child for more than 2 years was sentenced in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Joshua Dale Armstrong, 33, of Tulsa, to 360 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Armstrong will also be required to register as a sex offender once released.
“Joshua Armstrong preyed upon a defenseless child and engaged in a horrific pattern of repeated rapes and molestation that lasted years. While there is nothing that can make up for the pain and suffering of the victim in this case, a thirty year sentence reflects the heinousness of Armstrong’s crimes and provides a strong deterrent to others who would seek to victimize children," said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. "I’m thankful for the child victim in this case, who bravely came forward to report her abuse and allowed Armstrong to be brought to justice.”
In November, Armstrong pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse and to abusive sexual contact of a minor under 12-years-old in Indian Country. From Jan. 1, 2018 to April 16, 2020, Armstrong abused a position of trust to engage in sexual acts with the child.
Armstrong was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prison’s Facility.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Lash and Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.
Clint Johnson Assumes the Role of Acting U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of OklahomaRead the Press Release
Today, Clint Johnson assumed the role of Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
As Acting U.S. Attorney, Johnson is the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the Northern District of Oklahoma, an area covering eleven counties and including thirteen federally recognized Indian tribes. He leads a staff of more than 100 attorneys and support personnel to accomplish this mission.
“I am honored to lead this incredible office that continues to provide justice to the citizens of the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I will continue to work with our local, state, federal and tribal partners to ensure the fair administration of justice, and I will continue to advocate for the resources needed to make that happen.”
Most recently, Johnson held the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney where he supervised the criminal, civil, and administrative divisions for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He further managed the agency’s budget and resources and took an active role in the hiring of personnel and expansion of office space as the U.S. Attorney’s Office was required to grow dramatically to fulfill its public safety mission.
Johnson is a career federal prosecutor with 26 years of experience. He has investigated and prosecuted violent felonies, white-collar offenses, public corruption, drug and gun-related crimes, and human trafficking in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Previously, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Branch Chief in the District of New Mexico. Johnson began his legal career as an active duty Army attorney.
Simultaneously, Johnson continues to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. As a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps, he holds the positions of Chief Trial Judge and Commander of the 150th Legal Operational Detachment headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Col. Johnson has also served as an instructor at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School and the National Judicial College. He is a graduate of the Officer Basic Course, Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, and Military Judge’s Course.
Johnson is licensed to practice in all federal Courts in the State of Oklahoma, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
He received his law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law where he served as an editor for the Tulsa Law Journal. He received his master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College and his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University.
Johnson will hold the Acting position until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a new U.S. Attorney.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Leaves the Department of Justice after 18 Years of Service to the NationRead the Press Release
Today marks Trent Shores’ final day of service as United States Attorney. His resignation brings to a close nearly 18 years of federal law enforcement experience. He served the mission of justice under four Presidents and seven United States Attorneys General.
“Serving as United States Attorney has been the privilege of a lifetime. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to contribute to improving public safety in Northern Oklahoma, a community where I grew up and where I have chosen to raise my family. The attorneys and staff of this U.S. Attorney’s Office approach their jobs daily with unparalleled integrity and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. I’ll sleep well knowing they’re on the job,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Following confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Shores was sworn in as United States Attorney on Sept. 22, 2017. He served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The district is home to more than 1 million people and covers eleven counties, including thirteen federally recognized Indian tribes. He started his tenure as U.S. Attorney in an office of 47 total attorneys and support staff, and within the next four years, grew the office to more than 100 personnel to meet the substantially increased caseload following a landmark Supreme Court decision. In his dozens of hiring decisions, Shores demonstrated his commitment to building a work force that looks like America, constructing the best qualified, most diverse staff the office has ever had.
“Over the last four years, U.S. Attorney Shores has conducted a master class for leadership. He has proactively sought input and listened to the concerns and ideas of all staff, agency partners and stakeholders,” said Civil Division Chief Cathy McClanahan. “Never one to take a day off, his one aim has always been providing the best service to the people of the Northern District of Oklahoma. All of those who work with Trent understand his great love of justice, as demonstrated by the fact that he has spent half of his life serving in the Department of Justice. On behalf of the Civil Division, I extend my deepest appreciation to Trent for all that he has done for this Division, the entire office and the people of Oklahoma.”
“Law enforcement and our team had the privilege of having Trent lead the Northern District of Oklahoma during times of nationwide unrest, a pandemic and a game changing decision by the Supreme Court in the McGirt case. During his tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office doubled in size and more than doubled its case load,” said Criminal Division Chief Allen Litchfield. “It takes a natural born leader to excel in times of great adversity. Trent is that kind of leader. He brought an unwavering sense of commitment to the mission of justice for victims and the citizens he served. His dedication to the Office of the U.S. Attorney and his efforts to ensure justice for all, sets the standard for us all to follow.”
Shores was appointed to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, by both Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and William Barr, providing counsel on key policy and operational matters for the Justice Department. He further served on the Attorney General’s domestic violence working group, aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers, using the tools of federal prosecution help prevent domestic violence.
Shores also was named Chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Native American Issues (NAIS), a group of United States Attorneys charged with the developing and guiding national policy for Indian Country justice. Known as an expert on Indian Country criminal law, Shores testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to discuss violent crime in Indian Country and of potential legislation to address the problem. He also testified before the United States Sentencing Commission regarding the impact of federal sentencing guidelines on Native Americans in the criminal justice system.
Shores and his NAIS colleagues were instrumental in shaping Attorney General Barr’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Initiative, launched in November 2019. The initiative, in part, placed MMIP coordinators in U.S. Attorney’s offices in 11 states, including Oklahoma, who were charged with developing protocols for a more coordinated law enforcement response to missing cases.
Shores also hired Patti Buhl, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, to serve as the MMIP Coordinator. Shores and Buhl would soon team up with the leaders of the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations to launch the MMIP Tribal Community Response Plan Pilot Project in Oklahoma, the first of six states to launch the project. The goal of the pilot is to establish a collaborative response from tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, and other partners by implementing culturally appropriate draft guidelines when investigating emergent cases of missing and murdered American Indians. Lessons learned will be used to improve the draft guides for developing response plans before they are used across the nation.
Seeking to highlight Tribes in Oklahoma, Shores coordinated a 3-day NAIS meeting and a visit from Attorney General Barr. In 2018, Shores hosted 38 U.S. Attorneys, the Justice Department’s Inspector General, and countless officials from other agencies and tribes from across the country for the NAIS meeting. In 2020, Shores joined with Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. to welcome Attorney General Barr to the Cherokee Nation. Attorney General Barr and Shores met with Cherokee leadership, council members, and marshals to discuss public safety priorities.
Forward leaning and mission oriented, Shores led with intensity and vision. In July 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court found, in McGirt v. Oklahoma, that land historically reserved for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation remained Indian Country so that the Northern District of Oklahoma holds a reservation, including most of Tulsa. Overnight, criminal jurisdiction of thousands of cases involving Native Americans shifted from state courts to federal or tribal courts. Shores and his leadership team proactively advocated for resources and personnel in order to implement the Court’s decision. They called on federal prosecutors and support staff from across the nation for assistance, and 17 volunteers came to Tulsa to assist. In early 2021, the leadership team also hired 13 additional Criminal Division Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff, building capacity within the office. In the process, Shores strove to create a culture of professionalism, transparency, and teamwork as attorneys and support staff took on ever-increasing responsibilities. Shores and his team also prioritized collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, training officers on the unique legal considerations of Indian Country and helping to coordinate cross deputization agreements so officers were able to work crimes that occurred on the reservation involving Native American suspects or victims.
Like many Tulsans, Shores was profoundly affected when two Tulsa Police Officers were shot during a traffic stop in 2020. Tragically, Sergeant Craig Johnson lost his life as a result of wounds sustained in the incident. In response, Shores created and launched the 2150 Initiative in partnership with the Tulsa Police Department and ATF. The 2150 Initiative was named for Sgt. Johnson’s badge number as a way of honoring his legacy of service and duty to the citizens of Tulsa. The initiative aimed to remove illegal guns from the street and keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who are prohibited by law from possessing them.
In the last four years, federal prosecutors in the Criminal Division convicted 963 defendants and filed 1,335 cases, many of which are still ongoing in federal court. Under Shores’ leadership, violent crime prosecutions on average nearly doubled when compared to the three years prior, and violent crime rates declined. Shores frequently spoke about the devastating impact violent crime had on communities and its oppression on the opportunities afforded to residents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritized public safety through targeted, impactful prosecutions. For example, through strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement, the team launched Operation Alpha in 2018. The operation used crime-mapping technology to focus on high volume areas of violent crime in Tulsa over a two-month period, arresting 174 repeat violent offenders, called Alpha criminals, and taking 106 illegal guns off the street. The office further focused on taking firearms out of the hands of individuals who illegally possessed guns, including felons and domestic violence perpetrators, through Project Guardian and the 2150 Initiative. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, prosecutors charged 75 individuals with firearms violations. Underscoring importance of these cases, the office prosecuted Jakob Garland, a felon who exchanged a firearm for heroin. The recipient of the firearm was a felon who gunned down two Tulsa Police officers in 2020.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also significantly increased child exploitation prosecutions under Shores’ leadership. He hired Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Nassar and Edward Snow to take on these prosecutions and protect child victims. In July 2019, they teamed up with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, FBI and other law enforcement partners to conduct Operation Independence Day, netting 19 total child predators. Currently, federal prosecutors and 15 local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies are conducting Operation Clean Sweep across the 11 counties in the Northern District of Oklahoma. So far, the operation has charged 18 alleged perpetrators of internet facilitated child exploitation crimes.
Shores also sought to build strong partnerships with law enforcement in the district, offering federal resources as needed. He encouraged every sheriff, chief, and marshal to reach out to him personally to share concerns or to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Shores also offered support to assist law enforcement and social services agencies to apply for millions of dollars in Justice Department grants to pay for resources like crime gun intelligence centers, domestic violence programs, school safety programs and rape kit processing. It was not uncommon to find Shores in a rural county or small town meeting with local law enforcement or joining them to present to local students about the dangers of opioids.
Additionally, Shores expanded the Civil Division by hiring four new Assistant U.S. Attorneys. Over the last four years, the division filed or responded to 2,251 cases. The team’s defensive work saved taxpayers a total of $83,923,856 while affirmative civil enforcement actions totaled $4,593,167. Notably, the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit worked to recover taxpayer dollars lost to fraud by holding accountable medical professionals who accepted illegal kickback payments in return for recommending and prescribing compounded drugs produced by OK Compounding.
Outside the office, Shores engaged with the broader Tulsa community as well as more rural parts of the district. He prioritized community engagement and frequently spoke to citizen groups and students. He championed the American justice system and sought to inspire confidence in the dedicated public officials and civil servants who worked within it- from judges to public defenders to prosecutors. He promoted transparency in law enforcement and created opportunity for dialogue with community organizers. Importantly, he worked with citizen leaders to provide bilingual information on Spanish television and radio, sharing vital education regarding human trafficking, drugs, and illegal arms. Building these connections allowed his office to do justice on behalf of all victims, regardless of race, gender, or immigration status. One public speaking highlight of Shores’ tenure was when he delivered the keynote remarks at the Memorial Day celebration at the Wake Island Memorial in Bristow, Creek County. Shores spoke about the military service of his grandfather, PFC Robert Shores of the U.S. Marine Corp, who fought valiantly defending the island in World War II and survived captivity as a POW for nearly four years. At the conclusion of his remarks, Shores presented to his father an American flag that, with the assistance of U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of PFC Shores.
Shores started his career as the Deputy Director of the Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice in Washington, D.C. Later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern and Northern Districts of Oklahoma, he prosecuted human trafficking and child exploitation crimes, international organized crime, and white-collar crimes and public corruption. He also served as the National Security Cyber Specialist, working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force to address cyber-based threats to our national security and attacks on critical infrastructure.
U.S. Attorney Shores leaves this week after nearly 18 years of service with the Department of Justice. His actions showed a concern for the safety, well-being, and rights of the entire community. By pursuing a mission of liberty and justice for all Oklahomans of all backgrounds, he built trust throughout the community with integrity and accountability to the rule of law.
Federal Grand Jury Indictments Announced for FebruaryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores today announced the results of the February Federal Grand Jury B.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Carlos Banegas. Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Banegas, 30, is charged with being a felon in possession of 57 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. The U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Jermaine Dante Barnes. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Barnes, 22, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a .22 caliber rifle and various kinds of ammunition. Barnes is a 11-time convicted felon. The Tulsa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Jared Nathan Black. Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country. Black, 45, of Jenks, is charged with assault with intent to commit murder after he allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim’s head and pulled the trigger. The FBI and the Jenks Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Nathan James Blaine. Sexual Exploitation of a Child by a Parent or Guardian. Blaine, 52, of Grove, allegedly permitted a minor in his care to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing visual depictions of that conduct to share with others. The Grove Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies.
Jose Carbajal-Solis. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien.
Solis, 27, was allegedly found to be in the United States illegally after being deported in November of 2016. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Hugo Alfonso Castillo-Olguin. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien.
Olguin, 36, was allegedly found to be in the United States illegally after being deported in March 2013. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Stuart H. Clark. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Clark, 30, of Tulsa, is charged after allegedly failing to register as a sex offender after multiple child pornography convictions in 2014. The U.S. Marshals Service is the investigative agency.
Leslie Kenneth Copeland. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Copeland, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender. The U.S. Marshals Service, Tulsa Police Department and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Nicholas James Dardenne. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner in Indian Country; Assault of an Intimate Partner or Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle in Indian Country. Dardenne, 43, of Tulsa, is charged with assault after allegedly strangling his girlfriend and striking her with his fists. The FBI and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Melissa Lynn Davis. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country; Assault resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Individual who has not Attained the Age of 16 Years in Indian Country. Davis, 28, of Jenks, allegedly maliciously harmed the health, safety, and welfare of a minor child by assaulting her and causing serious bodily injury. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Tywan Carnelius Erby. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Erby, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a 9x19mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Erby is a five-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Lee Figgeroa. Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography. Figgeroa, 42, of Hominy, is alleged to have knowingly possessed, distributed and received with intent to view child pornography. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Omar Heriberto Garcia-Luna. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Luna, 20, of Tulsa, was allegedly found to be in the United States illegally after being deported in April 2020. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Bradley Don Goodin. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 12 in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact With a Child Under 12 in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian Country; Possession of a Firearm While Subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order (second superseding indictment). Goodin, 46, of Sapulpa, is charged with three counts of engaging in sexual acts with two Native American children under the age of 12, occurring in 2019. He is further charged with abusive sexual contact of one of those victims in 2019 and as well as sexual abusive contact with a different child between the ages of 12 and 16, allegedly taking place from the Fall of 2008 to the Spring of 2009. Goodin is also charged with being in possession of 21 firearms while subject to a domestic violence protective order. The Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Lee Owen Hallford. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Hallford, 29, of Tulsa, is being charged after he allegedly assaulted the victim with a knife. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Pedro Herrera-Angeles. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Herrera-Angeles, 41, was allegedly found to be in the United States illegally after being deported in February 2019. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Michael Charles Hicks Jr. Robbery in Indian Country; Theft in Indian Country (second superseding). Hicks, 50, allegedly stole a 2015 Cadillac Escalade, by force and violence, from the victim. The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
Jeffrey Arch Jones. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian Country. Jones, 31, currently residing in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, allegedly engaged in sex acts with a minor under 12 years of age from Sept. 29, 2015 to Sept 28, 2016. He is also charged with abusive sexual contact of a second child under the age of 12 from Sept. 29, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016. The Broken Arrow Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Timothy Eugene Jordan. Arson. Jordan, 50, is charged with setting a fire at a residential apartment building at 6565 South Newport Avenue in Tulsa. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Fire Inspector are the investigative agencies.
Derek L. Lovell. Attempted Kidnapping in Indian Country; Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony in Indian Country. Lovell, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with attempting to kidnap a female victim on Jan. 28, 2021. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Roberto Montel Madden; Cheetara Denise Venable. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition; Felon in Possession of Ammunition (3 counts). Madden, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Beretta .40 S&W caliber pistol and ammunition and with being a felon in possession of 17 rounds of .40 S&W caliber ammunition discovered on Nov. 26, 2020. He is also charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, six rounds of 9mm Luger caliber ammunition, and one round of 9 mm caliber ammunition as aided by Venable and discovered on Jan. 18, 2021. Venable, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, six rounds of 9mm Luger caliber ammunition, and 1 round of 9 mm caliber ammunition as aided by Madden. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
James Ted McCarty. Using a Vehicle to Facilitate the Intentional Discharge of a Firearm in Indian Country; Using, Carrying, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of Firearm. McCarty, 45, of Sand Springs, is alleged to have conducted a drive by shooting at the victim’s residence on Feb. 3, 2021. McCarty is further charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus PT111 G2 9mm pistol. The Sand Springs Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Jesse Thomas Moore. Lewd Acts With a Child Under 16 in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country; Attempted Sexual Abuse by Threat in Indian Country. Moore, 18, of Tulsa, is alleged to have broken into a female victim’s home on May 6, 2020. He is further alleged to have ejaculated on a minor under the age of 16 on May 6, 2020. According to the indictment, Moore also broke into a different individual’s home with intent to commit a crime by forcibly entering the outer door of the house on Nov. 8, 2020, He also allegedly attempted to engage in a sexual act with a female victim and demanded she “get the f**k up and don’t say anything or I’ll f**king kill you on Dec. 13, 2020. You can find the initial Complaint press release here.
Issac Eli Pigeon. Robbery in Indian Country. Pigeon, 18, of Tulsa, used force and violence in a robbery. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Brian Christopher Pradmore. Assault of a Spouse by Strangling, Suffocating, and Attempting to Strangle and Suffocate in Indian Country. Pradmore, 31, of Mannaford, assaulted and strangled a female victim on Sept. 24, 2020. The Mannaford Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Zachary Thomas Price. Receipt of Firearm by a Person Under Indictment for a Felony. Between Oct. 6, 2020 through Jan. 22, 2021, Price, 21, of Tulsa, allegedly received and was in possession of a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol while under indictment for the felony crime of stalking in Indian Country. The Broken Arrow and Tulsa Police Departments are the investigative agencies.
Anthony Raul Proctor. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition (count 1); Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country (counts 2, 4); Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence (counts 3, 5, 7, 9); Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country (counts 6, 8) (superseding). Proctor, 32, of Bristow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition, which was discovered on Oct. 1, 2020. Proctor is a 5-time convicted felon. In this superseding indictment, he also is charged with assaulting an individual by discharging a round into the victim’s vehicle on May 6, 2020. Proctor is also charged with assaulting a different victim, using a firearm, feet and hands to strike the victim on Aug. 7, 2020. Finally, Proctor is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder when he fired multiple rounds into a home occupied by two people on Sept. 15, 2020, and in a separate incident when he fired his gun at a different individual, striking the victim with one round on Sept. 27, 2020. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Muskogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and Bristow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Charles Nathaniel Scott. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Scott, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Beretta Pico .380 caliber pistol and ammunition. He is further charged with possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and with possessing a firearm to further his drug trafficking crime. The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Jordan Connor Searle. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Searle, 23, residence unknown, is charged with assaulting a male victim by stabbing him with a knife. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Francisco Serna-Hernandez. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Serna-Hernandez, 22, of Tulsa is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported March 24, 2018, at Del Rio, Texas, International Bridge. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Joshua Marquis Shobe. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Shobe, 22, of Coffeyville, Kansas, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus .45 caliber pistol, a Taurus 9 mm pistol, and 23 rounds of ammunition. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Roderick Demense Brooks and Tavian Caleb Steward. Attempted Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Obstructing, Delaying, and Affecting Interstate Commerce by Robbery; Carjacking; Robbery in Indian Country. According to the indictment, Brooks, 18, of Tulsa, is alleged to have used violence and brandished a handgun when he threatened a female victim and stole her money on Dec. 29, 2020. He is further accused of robbing a Broken Arrow refreshment shop and threatening a store employee with a firearm that same night. On Dec. 30, 2020, both Brooks and Steward, 18, of Tulsa, allegedly aided and abetted one another when they committed a carjacking. The two men threatened the owner using a firearm when they stole a 2019 Toyota Rav-4 from the owner. Finally, Steward threatened an employee using a firearm when he robbed a Tulsa sandwich shop on Jan. 7, 2021. The FBI and Broken Arrow and Tulsa Police Departments are the investigative agencies.
Ryan Blake Still. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Still is charged with failing to register as a sex offender. The U.S. Marshals Service is the investigative agency.
Charles Wesley Tillery, Jr. Assault of an Intimate and Dating Partner by Strangling and Suffocating in Indian Country. Tillery Jr., 35 of Inola, is charged with strangling an intimate partner on Jan. 3, 2021. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Daniel Angelo Torres. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. Torres, 27, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is further charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime and with maintaining a drug involved premises at 1020 N St Louis Avenue in Tulsa. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Andrew Dillon Vann. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Vann is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9 mm caliber handgun. The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Juan Vasquesz-Alvarez. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Vasquez-Alvarez, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. He is further charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Taylor Vaught-Crysler; Zachary Wayne Crew. Obstructing, Delaying, and Affecting Commerce by Robbery; Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Conspiracy to Obstruct, Delay, and Affect Commerce by Robbery. Vaught-Crysler, 18, and Crew, 19, both of Tulsa, allegedly aided and abetted each other on Jan. 15, 2021, when they robbed two Tulsa QuikTrip stores located at. 1022 S. Utica Avenue and 3606 S. Peoria Avenue. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Israel Vidales-Martinez. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Vidales-Martinez, 33, of Tulsa is charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported Nov. 19, 2010, at Del Rio, Texas, International Bridge. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Blake Clifton Williamson. Possession of an Unregistered Rifle Having a Barrel of Less Than 16 Inches in Length; Tampering With a Witness, Victim, and Informant by Intimidation, Threats, Corrupt Persuasion, and Misleading Conduct; Kidnapping in Indian Country Possession of an Unregistered Silencer (superseding). Williamson was previously charged with knowingly possessing a rifle having a barrel length of less than 16 inches, that is, an Anderson Manufacturing multi-caliber short-barreled rifle, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. According to the superseding indictment, Williamson also allegedly threatened and intimidated a witness in order to prevent her testimony in official court proceedings and to prevent the her from speaking to federal law enforcement officers. Between Oct. 24 and 26, 2020, Williamson kidnapped the same witness. Finally, the defendant possessed a silencer that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Defendant Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Calvin Johnson, aka “Lakeshia Johnson” and “Keyshia Johnson,” pleaded guilty this morning in two criminal cases after committing wire fraud and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Johnson, 37, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell who set sentencing for May 26, 2021.
“Calvin Johnson used a position as a contractor at a bank’s call center to defraud and steal from customers,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Technology rarely provides the ambiguity that criminals hope for and this case was no different. The diligent work of the FBI and the prosecutorial efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Cella caught this white-collar criminal.”
In the plea agreement, Johnson admitted that from February to October 2018 she worked at Alorica, a call center contractor for Ally Bank. As part the job, Johnson had access to Ally Bank customer accounts and account information. Johnson devised and executed a scheme to defraud Ally Bank and its customers by using her account access to transfer money to accounts she owned or controlled to fund her own personal expenses. As a part of the scheme, she caused $7,000 to be transferred from an Ally Bank customer account to an account she controlled at City National Bank.
After being charged for wire fraud, Johnson was later encountered by law enforcement in Indiana on Sept. 2, 2020, in possession of a .45-caliber pistol and a 9mm semiautomatic pistol. In the plea agreement, Johnson admitted that she had been convicted of robbery in September of 2004; therefore, understanding that she was unlawfully possessing the firearms officers found on her on Sept. 2, 2020.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Strangling a Former GirlfriendRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man who repeatedly violated a protective order and strangled his former girlfriend was sentenced today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Ernie Wayne Standingsoldier Jr., 35, of Tulsa, to 41 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant previously pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate partner and dating partner by strangling and attempting to strangle or suffocate in Indian Country.
“Strangulation is a precursor to homicide on the domestic homicide risk assessment. When a man puts his hands around a woman’s neck to strangle her, the chances of the victim dying from a domestic assault increase tenfold. Ernie Standingsoldier Jr. strangled and abused his victim, and today he faced the consequences for his actions,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Every year, more than 10 million women and men are physically abused by an intimate partner. And with such a fine line between unconsciousness and death, law enforcement and prosecutors take special note when strangulation is involved. Standingsoldier now begins a 41 month sentence in federal prison where he will no longer be able to harm this victim.”
In January 2018, Tulsa County District Court issued a protective order against Standingsoldier Jr. in response to his repeated intimidation and abuse of the victim. The Court ordered Standingsoldier Jr. to have no contact with his former girlfriend for five years. Despite the protective order, Standingsoldier Jr. beat and strangled or attempted to strangle the victim in her own home two times within a month.
On Feb. 20, 2020, the defendant entered the victim’s apartment, grabbed her by the hair, punched her in the face, and strangled her. She managed to escape and called authorities. A medical team later found that she suffered from a concussion and a small subconjunctival hematoma, indicating strangulation. Three weeks later on March 16, Standingsoldier Jr. returned and forced his way into the victim’s apartment, punched the victim in the face and attempted to strangle the her a second time. In both cases, the defendant fled the scene before officers arrived. On March 28, 2020, the defendant again returned to the victim’s apartment, banging on the victim’s door when she was not at home. The apartment complex security officer called authorities, and Standingsoldier Jr. was arrested.
In a motion for upward variance, the United States argued the defendant should receive 41 months in prison, the highest end of the agreed to sentencing range. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Lash noted the grave nature of Standingsoldier Jr.’s violent assaults and his lack of respect for the law he when repeatedly violated the protective order. She argued that researchers and law enforcement professionals have determined that nonfatal strangulation is a leading indicator of escalating violence in a relationship and an important risk factor for homicide in women.
Lash cited expert testimony which noted that strangulation is the “ultimate form of power and control” because “the perpetrator can say to the victim: With this act, I can kill you if I want to. I can…let you live if I want to, and you will remember that.” Lash also cited research suggesting that the strangulation of women is increasingly prevalent in Oklahoma. Of the Oklahoma women who were in abusive relationships from 2009 to 2013, 80% reported being strangled by their partners, and 40% of those women reported multiple strangulations, according to a lethality assessment study in seven Oklahoma police jurisdictions. (Whitney Bryen, Strangulation of Women Is Common, Chilling – and Often a Grim Harbinger, Oklahoma Watch, May 29, 2019)
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Lash is prosecuting the case. AUSA Lash is a prosecutor from the Eastern District of New York. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the increased volume of cases since the Supreme Court’s ruling which stated the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress. The United States and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have jurisdiction of all cases that occur on the reservation involving Native American victims or defendants.
Tulsa Man Sentenced for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was sentenced today for voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country after he shot and killed a woman in Philpott Park on July 10, 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced James Michael Landry, 29, to 87 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.
"One of the very first cases we opened after the McGirt decision has come to a just conclusion in my last week as U.S. Attorney. Michael Landry is headed to federal prison for killing Crystal Bradley at Tulsa’s Philpott Park. This prosecution is the result of cooperation among state, federal, and tribal entities in pursuit of a common goal- justice," said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. "I also understand that there is no amount of prison time that can replace the loss of life. My heart goes out to the family of Crystal Bradley as they continue to grieve her tragic loss."
In his November plea agreement, Landry admitted that on July 10, 2020 without malice, but upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion, he unlawfully shot and killed Crystal Bradley. The victim was an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
The FBI, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts prosecuted the case.