Northern District of Oklahoma
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Tulsa Woman Pleads Guilty to Strangling Her Intimate Partner and to Robbery in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
On Dec. 4, 2020, a Tulsa woman admitted in federal court to assaulting her intimate partner during an argument in 2016 and to using force to steal a vehicle in 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Lakota Ray Scott, 33, pleaded guilty to domestic assault by strangulation in Indian Country and to robbery in Indian Country before U.S. District Gregory K. Frizzell.
“Domestic violence survivors are one of the most resilient groups of victims I’ve ever seen. I’m so thankful that the victim in this case spoke up so that we could help her. The abuser, Lakota Scott, acted recklessly and endangered the lives of others, beyond just her partner, during the two separate incidents to which she pleaded guilty. Thankfully all of the victims have recovered,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
During Friday’s hearing, Scott explained that on March 16, 2016, she had a verbal argument with her girlfriend then took off in her girlfriend’s car without permission. Her girlfriend called police to report the car stolen. When Scott returned to the apartment, a second argument ensued. When the victim tried to leave, Scott blocked the front door then slapped the victim’s phone out of her hand as she attempted to call 911. As the victim tried to flee the apartment, Scott tackled her in the living room and started strangling the victim. She then grabbed a flat screen television and smashed it over the victim’s head twice. Then as Scott ran to the bedroom, the victim fled the home where she was met by arriving police officers.
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 away. She was eventually found in a parking garage, hiding from authorities.
As part of the plea agreement, the defendant and the United States agreed to a sentence of three years in federal prison. The government will also ask that the defendant take part in a drug and alcohol treatment program while imprisoned. U.S. District Judge Frizzell will make the final sentencing determination at a hearing set for March 9, 2021.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Gilmore is prosecuting the case. Ms. Gilmore is a prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Texas. 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 has 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.
Arkansas Project Manager Sentenced in Connection with COVID-Relief FraudRead the Press Release
A project manager employed by a major retailer was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for fraudulently seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney R. Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Benjamin Hayford, 32, of Centerton, Arkansas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan. Hayford pleaded guilty in August to an indictment charging him with fraudulently seeking millions of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA from multiple banks by claiming fictitious payroll expenses. To support his applications, Hayford provided lenders with fraudulent payroll documentation purporting to establish payroll expenses that were, in fact, non-existent. In addition, Hayford admitted to making false representations to a financial institution concerning the date that a Limited Liability Partnership for which he applied for relief was established. The lenders at issue declined to fund the loans that Hayford sought.
“Small businesses are vital employers to 60 million Americans. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many small businesses are treading water, and the Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline to help keep employees on their payrolls,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Benjamin Hayford, and those like him, seek to enrich themselves at the expense of others in need during these uncertain times. Across the United States, these fraudsters are being brought to justice, including Hayford who will spend the next two years in federal prison.”
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.
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. PPP 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.
Deputy Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A.S. Régal for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas provided valuable assistance in this matter.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the Federal Housing Financial Agency Office of Inspector General, the SBA Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General for their efforts investigating this matter.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Tulsa Man Sentenced for His Role in a Transnational Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man was sentenced today in federal court for his role in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Alphonso Caldwell, 27, of Tulsa, to 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
“One of the things I’m thankful for this month is that another major player in a heroin trafficking operation has been held accountable in a court of law. Alphonso Caldwell was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Caldwell was one of 30 defendants in an international heroin trafficking scheme that we took down as part of Operation Smack Dragon. I am proud of our multijurisdictional team and their combined efforts to confront this criminal organization. Kudos to the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, Tulsa Police Department, and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. I would also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the hard work and leadership of Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick, chief of my Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Job well done by all.”
“Drug traffickers and their illegal activity pose a significant threat to the safety of the general public and all of our communities,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge HSI Dallas. “One of our main priorities is to dismantle any transnational criminal organization that attempts to profit from manufacturing, smuggling, purchasing, or distribution of these illicit drugs that hinder public safety. We are committed to working with our federal and state law enforcement partners to keep illegal substances out of our communities and investigating the organizations responsible.”
In his plea agreement, Caldwell admitted that from November 2017 to June 2019 he possessed with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Caldwell stated that he purchased ½ kilogram to 1 kilogram of heroin multiple times per week from both Jose Garcia and Edson Garcia-Velasquez. Caldwell purchased the heroin and redistributed it to third parties who redistributed the heroin to others. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin.
Caldwell will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, IRS Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick prosecuted the case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
An Arizona man pleaded guilty this morning to conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Anthony Ward Irving, 36, pleaded guilty this morning before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan.
“Anthony Irving’s recipe for illegal profit was a combination of methamphetamine, cell phones, drug couriers, and electronic transfers. He lived in Arizona but facilitated meth trafficking in Northeastern Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Thanks to a formidable partnership of state, local, and federal drug agents, Irving’s operation was disrupted and dismantled.”
In his plea agreement, Irving admitted that from January 2018 to February 2019, he knowingly conspired with codefendants, to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. During the same time period, he knowingly conspired with the same people to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.
Irving admitted that his role in the conspiracy included acting as a broker for the transfer of drugs between bulk distributors in Arizona and associates in Northeast Oklahoma and elsewhere. Irving admitted that he and his codefendants agreed to distribute the drugs to make money for themselves. Although Irving lived in Arizona during the conspiracy, he acknowledged that some overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy were performed in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Irving stated that he and his coconspirators coordinated drug deals from a distance through the use of cellular phones, drug couriers, and electronic transfers of cash.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Duncombe is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorneys Trent Shores and Brian Kuester Launch Pilot Project with Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons CasesRead the Press Release
Today, U.S. Attorneys Trent Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma and Brian Kuester of the Eastern District of Oklahoma launched a pilot project to implement a Tribal Community Response Plan with Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation, in accordance with Attorney General William P. Barr’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Initiative. Principal Chief David Hill of Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of Cherokee Nation joined the U.S. attorneys in making the announcement.
The goal for the Tribal Community Response Plan pilot project is to establish a collaborative response from tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, and other partners by implementing culturally appropriate guidelines when investigating emergent cases of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The U.S. Department of Justice and other federal agencies developed draft guides for developing a Tribal Community Response Plan in conjunction with tribal leaders, law enforcement and tribal communities.
Each plan will be composed of guidelines addressing at least four different areas in response to MMIP cases: law enforcement, victim services, community outreach and media/public communications.
Oklahoma’s U.S. attorneys are the first to launch the pilot project. Five other U.S. attorneys’ offices are slated to do so at later dates. Lessons learned from the pilot project will be used to improve the draft guides for developing a Tribal Community Response Plan before they are used in states across the country.
“The first step in achieving justice for missing and murdered Native Americans was acknowledging the injustice of any historical indifference to or neglect of these tragic cases. Now, it is time for action to tackle this crisis head-on,” U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said. “I am proud to partner with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation to announce the first of its kind pilot project to develop and implement protocols and community action plans for missing and murdered indigenous people cases. The Department of Justice continues to prioritize public safety in Indian country, especially when it comes to reducing the violent crime rates that seem to disproportionately impact Native American women and children.”
“ ‘Justice and liberty for all’ are not only the final words of our Pledge of Allegiance, they are at the heart and foundation of what the United States stands for. They create a standard that we must continually strive to achieve to preserve the critical principles they pronounce,” U.S. Attorney Brian J. Kuester said. “Tribal Community Response Plans will unite people, agencies, and sovereigns committed to justice and liberty for all. Together we will identify and implement the best practices for responding to and investigating cases involving missing and murdered indigenous people. I look forward to building upon the strong relationships the U.S. Attorney’s Office has with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Cherokee Nation and our law enforcement partners as we move forward together.”
“We are unquestionably at our strongest when partnering with agencies and tribes working toward our shared goal, and that is enhancing public safety and protection for those who need it most,” Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill said. “Unfortunately, we know all too well the challenges we face and the trends we must reverse regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. We feel these types of collaborations, in which our input is sought and utilized to craft culturally specific guidelines, are the best path forward and we can’t wait to get started.”
“Today’s new Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Pilot Program is an important partnership with the United States Department of Justice, and will further a goal that we all share: to protect Cherokees on the reservation and bring missing Cherokees home to their families and communities,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “When one of our Cherokee citizens is hurt or missing, it’s an emergency. And now this pilot program will help pool our focus and resources on these cases with immediate, coordinated and professional response plans.”
“An effective strategy to combat violent crime on tribal lands can only be successful with a united front of our law enforcement partners working with the communities we serve,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Melissa Godbold of the Oklahoma City Field Office said. “This program unites all of us in our shared goal of creating a safer community with a focus on solving crimes affecting missing and murdered indigenous people in Oklahoma.”
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Defendant Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter after Killing a Man at a Tulsa Bus StationRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country after killing Barry James Harrell during a brief altercation in downtown Tulsa, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
At his plea hearing, Harlan Frank Hardiman, 51, 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. The defendant stated that he walked away from the victim as he lay motionless on the ground. Harrell subsequently died of a massive head bleed, called a subdural hematoma.
“Harlan Hardiman acted recklessly when he punched Mr. Harrell then walked away while the victim lay unresponsive on the sidewalk. Sadly, Mr. Harrel lay there 15 minutes before aid was rendered and died the following morning,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Hardiman has now been held accountable for his actions, and a federal judge will sentence him at a hearing on Feb. 26, 2021.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Fletcher is prosecuting 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.
Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced for NovemberRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the November 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.
Sheila Marie Brewer. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Brewer, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Springfield 12-gauge shotgun. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Country Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Oscar Manuel Cabrera-Westerheidy. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under Twelve Years of Age in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact With a Minor Under Twelve Years of Age in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact With a Minor Between Twelve Years and Sixteen Years of Age in Indian Country. Cabrera-Westerheidy, 37, of Tulsa, is being charged with engaging in sexual acts and sexual contact with a young female under the age of 12. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Roger Cervantez. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of an Unregistered Weapon Made From a Shotgun Having a Barrel of Less Than 18 Inches in Length. Cervantez, 35, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of an unregistered Remington 20-gauge shotgun and 23 rounds of ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Kyle Marche Williams and Marcus Layvon Jackson II. Obstructing, Delaying, and Affecting Commerce by Robbery; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition; Conspiracy to Obstruct, Delay, and Affect Commerce by Robbery; Conspiracy to Carry, Use, and Brandish a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. (superseding) Williams, 29, of Dallas, and Jackson, 28, of Desoto, Texas, is alleged to have unlawfully took packages from an employee of UPS by means of actual and threatened force, including threatening him with a firearm if he did not comply. They are both being charged with possessing firearms, a Glock .375 SIG caliber pistol and a SSCY 9mm luger caliber pistol, during and in relation to a crime of violence. Jackson is a 4-time convicted felon; therefore, he is being charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock, .375 SIG caliber pistol and 31 rounds of ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Owasso Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Brannon Michael Jefferies. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Jefferies, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly failing to register as a sex offender. The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are the investigative agencies.
Stephanie Ann Manning. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Simple Assault in Indian Country (Misdemeanor). Manning, 30, of Broken Arrow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Rock Island Armory .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Manning is further being charged with assault after hitting a man with a baseball bat. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Osage Moses. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Moses, 35, of Sand Springs is charged with being a felon is possession of a Sturm & Ruger semi-automatic 9mm pistol and seven rounds of ammunition. Moses is a 4-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police are the investigative agencies.
David Gene Randle. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Randle, 50, of Mannford, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Winchester .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, a Stevens 20-gauge shotgun, and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Creek County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Scott Smith. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Smith, 31, is charged with knowingly possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Kerri Jo Stevens. Theft Over $1,000 in Indian Country; Aggravated Identity Theft; Bank Fraud. Stevens, 37, of Tulsa on Sept. 27, 2020, allegedly stole the victim’s wallet, containing cash and other items of value, with the total property value exceeding $1,000. On Sept. 28, Stevens then used the victim’s debit card issued by the Bank of Oklahoma, to obtain funds, credits, assets, securities, and other property owned by the Bank of Oklahoma. The FBI and Sand Springs Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Dustin Thebeau. Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Thebeau, 33, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, is charged with knowingly attempting to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Clayton Jacob Waldon. Distribution of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography. Waldon, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing and distributing material that contained images and videos of child pornography involving a minor who had not attained the age of 12. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Tulsa Police Department, and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations are the investigative agencies.
Nicole Deon Williams. Felony Murder in the First Degree in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country. Williams, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with causing the unlawful killing of another individual. Williams allegedly aided in coordinating a robbery and during the robbery attempt, Williams’ accomplice killed the victim by shooting him in the chest. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Candelaria V. Yazzie. Child Neglect in Indian Country. Yazzie, 24, of Jenks, is charged with three counts of child neglect. According to the indictment, Yazzie left a female victim, who is under the age of 18, unsupervised within a locked car in a liquor store parking lot. Further, Yazzie also allegedly neglected to adequately provide for two other female victims, under the age of 18, left unsupervised in an apartment. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Cody Lloyd Youtsey. Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. Youtsey, 28, of Oilton, is charged with knowingly engaging in non-consensual sexual contact with the female victim. The FBI and Oilton Police Department are the investigative agencies.
22 Individuals Indicted in a Methamphetamine Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Twelve individuals were arrested today for allegedly taking part in methamphetamine trafficking operations, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. The arrests were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (ODETF) operation.
The takedown resulted from an indictment filed this week charging 22 individuals for two counts of methamphetamine drug conspiracy and other charges. Twelve indicted defendants were arrested and three others were already in custody.
The alleged crimes involved couriers and distributors of methamphetamine transported from Mexico. The deadly drug was brought up to Tulsa and then provided to distributors who sold the methamphetamine in the Northern District of Oklahoma
“Today’s takedown of another drug trafficking operation is a reminder that even in the midst of a pandemic, illicit drugs are making their way into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “In the last two weeks, federal prosecutors have charged more than 50 defendants for their roles in heroin or methamphetamine distribution networks. I’m thankful for the diligent work of the hundreds of law enforcement officers who made these arrests happen.”
Count 1 of the indictment charges 14 defendants, including couriers and distributors, with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
In Count 2 of the indictment, six defendants are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to distributing methamphetamine. The accused distributors named in Count 2 allegedly worked together to mutually benefit from the illicit drug sales. The remaining counts involve drug deals made on different dates by multiple defendants.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Thursday’s law enforcement action was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa Police Department, Thursday’s law enforcement action was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, Rogers County District Attorney’s Office, Miami Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and in Kansas- the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Parsons Police Department and Labette County Sheriff’s Office.Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O. Johnston is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Woman Sentenced for Destruction of Federal PropertyRead the Press Release
A Tulsa woman was sentenced today for destroying post office boxes at a U.S. Post Office station located in south Tulsa, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Hillary Ginn was sentenced to 5 years probation this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jodi F. Jayne. Ginn will also be responsible for paying $281.20 in restitution to the U.S. Postal Service.
“As Americans, we rely on the U.S. postal system for so many things. From personal finance to personal correspondence, we regard the mail as sacred,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “It is our job as prosecutors and law enforcement to stop criminals like Hillary Ginn who would raid mailboxes and destroy receptacles all for her personal gain.”
On Aug. 26, 2020, Ginn pleaded guilty to destruction of federal property. Ginn admitted that from Aug. 18, 2019 through Sept. 22, 2019, she damaged letter boxes, mailboxes, and other receptacles located in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sheridan Station.
The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Leitch prosecuted the case.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a Child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man who sexually abused a child for more than two years pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Joshua Dale Armstrong, 33, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under 12 years old in Indian Country and abusive sexual contact of a minor under 12 years old in Indian Country. At the plea hearing, Armstrong admitted that from January 2018 to April 2020, he knowingly engaged in sex acts with a child, including rape.
“There are forces for good in this world who are ever vigilant against the threat of child sex predators. I’m so thankful the FBI and Tulsa Police Department teamed up to investigate Joshua Dale Armstrong. The criminally perverse acts that Armstrong inflicted upon a helpless child were sickening,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Make no mistake, we will bring the full weight of federal law against every pedophile who harms Oklahoma’s children in our jurisdiction.”
At the time of sentencing, set for Feb. 25, 2021, Armstrong faces a minimum sentence of 30 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He also faces a maximum fine of $250,000.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Snow, Christopher Nassar and Devon Lash are 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 Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty to 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.
James Michael Landry, 29, committed the crime on the Creek Nation reservation. The victim was an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
“James Landry tried to explain away what happened the day he killed Crystal Bradley, but thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement, the truth came out. Today, Mr. Landry pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and will be held accountable for his inexcusable actions,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “In partnership with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, my office has worked relentlessly to ensure every victim of violent crime experiences a measure of justice and that no case falls through the cracks. With three sovereigns – tribal, state, and federal – communicating and coordinating, I believe we have a blueprint for success in the criminal justice arena in the post-McGirt world.”
In his 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.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell set sentencing for Feb. 22, 2021.
The FBI, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
Tulsa Doctor Sentenced for Role in an Opioid Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Tulsa doctor was sentenced today for conspiring with others to unlawfully issue prescriptions for controlled substances, as well as maintaining a drug involved premises at his medical clinic, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Christopher V. Moses, 67, of Tulsa, has been sentenced to one year of home confinement and five total years of probation. Moses will forfeit his medical license and not seek reinstatement while serving his sentence. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell further ordered Moses to pay $28,581 in restitution to two victims, a $200,000 fine, and a forfeiture amount of $1.8 million representing the proceeds he obtained as a result of his crime. Moses will also forfeit his 2011 Mercedes-Benz.
“We must work free of the deadly grip that illicit opioids have on our nation. Doctors like Christopher Moses who operate “pill mills” should be ashamed of themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “It’s only right that Mr. Moses is now a convicted felon and has been stripped of his medical title. He is no different than any other drug dealer on the street spreading addiction for profit.”
This sentence comes as a result of his role in leading a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances without a legitimate medial purpose and outside the scope of professional practice, and for maintaining a drug involved premises. As a part of this conspiracy, Moses and his co-conspirators unlawfully issued prescriptions for controlled substances, many of which included deadly opioid prescription drugs such as Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl. One repercussion of their unlawful distribution of such drugs, is the death of two individuals, one from acute fentanyl toxicity and the other from acute morphine and oxycodone toxicity. Moses and those working with him committed such acts with the goal of generating large profits from the prescriptions and taking those proceeds for their own personal use and benefit.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick prosecuted the case with assistance from AUSA Vani Singhal, AUSA Melody Nelson, and AUSA Reagan Reininger. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
U.S. Attorney Announces More than 30 Defendants Charged for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced that more than 30 individuals have been named in two separate indictments for their roles in heroin trafficking operations in Oklahoma. The indictments were unsealed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested 23 individuals in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. At least 18 of the 30 defendants named in the indictments are individuals known to be unlawfully in the United States.
“Two major indictments targeting organized crime and drug trafficking were unsealed in federal court today. Operations ‘Royal Flush’ and ‘Town Clown’ involved the takedown of massive heroin trafficking organizations in Oklahoma. Early this morning, the DEA orchestrated the simultaneous execution of search and arrest warrants at 14 different sites in Oklahoma, arresting 23 individuals and seizing approximately 4 kilograms of heroin and $120,000 in U.S. currency,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I commend the more than 200 law enforcement agents and officers who participated in today’s takedown and thank the DEA for their leadership throughout this investigation.”
“Today is another point in the win category for all Oklahomans who value safe and drug-free communities,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA operations in Oklahoma. “These individuals who spent their days delivering heroin can now spend nights in jail while the men and women of DEA Tulsa and our Eastern Oklahoma law enforcement partners continue their efforts to keep heroin off our streets.”
In the first indictment, 25 members and co-conspirators of the Rivera-Serna Drug Trafficking Organization were charged for their alleged roles in a continuing criminal enterprise that allegedly distributed more than 1 kilogram of deadly heroin into Oklahoma communities and laundered the proceeds.
Eleven defendants were arrested during Operation Royal Flush and made initial appearances in U.S. District Court Tuesday. An additional six individuals were also arrested as part of the operation, who are not named in the indictment, and will be charged by Criminal Complaint.
According to the indictment, Juan Carlos Rivera-Serna and Felipe Rios-Galicia are charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in Count 1 of the indictment. The two men worked in concert with other individuals and acted as principal administrators, organizers, supervisors and leaders of the enterprise. In Count 2 of the indictment, all 25 defendants are charged with drug conspiracy for possessing with intent to distribute and to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Thirteen of the defendants are further charged with money laundering in Count 3 of the indictment. The conspirators allegedly laundered the proceeds from heroin sales in order to conceal and fund their illegal drug operation.
In a second indictment, seven other defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute heroin and other violations. Six of the 7 individuals were arrested by law enforcement as part of Operation Town Clown. According to the indictment, the seven individuals are charged with drug conspiracy, allegedly conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin. Several of the defendants are also charged with distribution of heroin; possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and use of a communication facility in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
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.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Miami Police Department, Sapulpa Police Department, Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Operations, Yukon Police Department, Moore Police Department, Canadian County Sheriff’s Office, El Reno Police Department, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma City Police Department, Duncan Police Department, District 18 Task Force, and from Arkansas, the Springdale Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office took part in the investigation and arrests today.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s drug supply reduction strategy. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illicit drug supply.
Tulsa Woman Charged with Felony MurderRead the Press Release
A Tulsa woman made an initial appearance in federal court today for first degree felony murder and robbery in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores
Nicole Deonn Williams, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with murdering Curtiss Gaines on June 18, 2019.
“Time and again, guns and drugs prove to be a volatile combination. In this case, the defendant and her boyfriend allegedly shot and killed Curtiss Gaines when they tried to rob him during a drug deal,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This case comes to our office because of the McGirt decision, and our victim coordinators will work with the victim’s family to ensure they understand we will aggressively pursue justice.”
According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, responding officers at first suspected that Gaines died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound because a shotgun was found underneath his body, but detectives later determined Gaines sustained a gunshot wound to his upper torso from a pistol caliber bullet. Upon investigating Gaines’ death, detectives found that Gaines allegedly received a call from a female, believed to be Williams, at 3 am, the day of the murder. The call came from a phone number associated with William’s boyfriend, Barton Roy Vann. Shortly after the call, Gaines told a friend he had to leave and indicated he was returning to his residence.
A second individual indicated that he picked up Williams and Vann and drove them to Gaines’ residence at approximately 3:30 am and waited for them in his vehicle until they returned. He assumed the couple were going to purchase drugs from the victim, as they had in the past. Later, Vann allegedly told the individual that he had produced a handgun and attempted to rob the victim. At some point during the robbery, Gaines obtained a shotgun and was subsequently shot by Vann. Vann is currently scheduled for trial in January 2020 with the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office.
If convicted, Williams faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the 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 and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Bish is prosecuting the case. Mr. Bish is a prosecutor from the Western District of New York. 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.
Calera Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
A Calera man pleaded guilty this morning to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. The defendant supplied the gun allegedly used in the murder of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson.
Jakob Gerald Garland, 28, pleaded guilty this morning in front of U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan. Garland’s sentencing is set for Feb. 9, 2021.
“Experience tells me that bad things happen when a gun makes it into the hands of felons and drug dealers. Today, Jakob Garland pleaded guilty to providing a gun to a felon in exchange for heroin. As a result of this exchange, Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson died in the line of duty when that same gun was allegedly used by that felon to shoot him,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Our 2150 Initiative, named in honor of Sgt. Johnson, focuses on protecting our community from those who illegally possess guns or illegally provide them to others. From felons to domestic abusers to drug abusers, if they possess firearms then they will be brought to justice.”
In his plea agreement, Garland admitted that on June 19, 2020, he gave an individual a Glock Model 23, .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun with serial number WKG380 in exchange for heroin. He admitted to driving to Tulsa and meeting the individual to give him the gun at his apartment located within the Northern District of Oklahoma. Prior to June 19, 2020 Garland admitted he had been convicted of several offenses that carried a penalty in excess of one year and was aware he was a convicted felon.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Snow is prosecuting the case.
The 2150 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 those responsible as the “source” of the firearms to prohibited persons.
Quapaw Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Possessing Parts of Protected EaglesRead the Press Release
A Quapaw man has been indicted for sexually abusing a minor and illegally possessing feathers, talons and heads from seven bald eagles and seven golden eagles, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Carl Gene Ortner, 56, is charged with 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, and possession of parts of a golden eagle.
“The United States has charged Carl Ortner with crimes related to the sexual abuse of a child and the unlawful possession of bald and golden eagle feathers and parts. The underlying circumstances of this case involve the alleged use of Native American cultural heritage to exploit and groom the child victim,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Protecting children is a top priority for my office, and I’m thankful for our law enforcement partners who have teamed up to investigate this case.”
At a detention hearing held Friday, the United States alleged that Ortner fraudulently claimed to be a Native American spiritual counselor and healer and would give the feathers of bald and golden eagles to the minor victim and the victim’s family in order to gain their trust. At Ortner’s residence, officers allegedly found various parts of bald and golden eagles as well as a whole eagle carcass. Native Americans consider eagles to be sacred and only use the parts to make regalia or for use in cultural and religious practices. Evidence was presented that the defendant allegedly used his position of influence to groom the victim and force her into sexual relations with him, using her cultural beliefs and vulnerability against her. Ortner is not an enrolled member of any federally recognized tribe.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service vehemently condemns sexual violence of any nature,” said Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “In this case, the defendant allegedly used eagles – our national symbol and a culturally sacred species – to prey upon a child who trusted him. These alleged acts go against everything our country stands for and will not be tolerated. We would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their assistance with this case. Together, we can bring wildlife criminals and sexual predators to justice.”
“As alleged in this case, those who seek to prey on children will stop at nothing to lull their victims into a false sense of trust and security, but I’m grateful to the team of agents and analysts who stop at nothing to protect our children,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Melissa Godbold. “This case represents the teamwork that the public has come to expect from law enforcement. I’m grateful that, after investigating the theft of these natural resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reached out to the FBI when they discovered the abuse allegations.”
During today’s detention hearing, prosecutors alleged there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225—5324).
U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank H. McCarthy set the detention hearing to continue Nov. 12 at 2pm.
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. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Roberts and Shannon Cozzoni are prosecuting the case.
Former Tulsa Police Officer Charged with First Degree MurderRead the Press Release
A former Tulsa Police Officer who requested his Oklahoma manslaughter conviction be dismissed based on the Supreme Court’s McGirt decision was charged today in federal court with the first degree murder of Jeremey Lake, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Shannon James Kepler, 60, of Tulsa, is charged with first degree murder in Indian Country, causing death by using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence, and assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country.
“Nineteen-year-old Jeremey Lake’s life was senselessly cut short in 2014 when Shannon Kepler allegedly shot and killed him. A jury convicted Mr. Kepler in state court, but the McGirt decision has impacted his conviction. The need to pursue justice remains. The United States Attorney’s Office will now ask a federal jury to convict Shannon Kepler,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Our victim specialists are communicating with Jeremey’s family and will be with them every step of the way as this case moves forward in federal court. Our prosecutors have worked hand in hand with our partners at the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office to ensure this young man and his family experience a full measure of justice.”
According to the indictment, Kepler maliciously and with premeditation murdered Mr. Lake, his daughter’s boyfriend, by shooting him multiple times with a firearm. He is further charged with shooting at a minor male victim during the course of the crime.
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.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies. 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 Northern District of Texas. Both 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.
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- November 2020Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores today announced the results of the November 2020 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.
Gilbert Bilal. Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by an Alien Illegally in the United States. Bilal, 47, of Tulsa, is charged with being an alien unlawfully in the United States who possessed a Glock 19, 9mm pistol and ammunition. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
David Samuel Boggs, Jr. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; Possession of Firearm While Subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order; Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner by Strangling, and Attempting to Strangle or Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Attempted Kidnapping in Indian Country; Interstate Violation of a Protective Order in Indian Country; Stalking in Indian Country; Carrying and Using a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence (superseding). Boggs Jr, 34, of Tulsa, faces multiple charges including the violation of a protective order, stalking, attempted kidnapping and assault of a female victim. On June 10, 2020, the defendant allegedly assaulted his former dating partner by strangling her until she passed out and kicking her head and body with steel toe boots. From June 10-17, 2020, it is alleged that the defendant stalked the victim and attempted to kidnap her. Boggs Jr is also charged with being a felon in possession of an FMK 9mm pistol and ammunition. He was previously convicted of kidnapping and domestic abuse. He is also charged with possessing the firearm while subject to a protective order issued on April 3, 2019. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
James Jordan Buckley. Robbery in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree; Kidnapping in Indian Country. According to the indictment, Buckley, 21, of Tulsa, forcibly broke into the victim’s home, threatened the victim, and demanded the keys to her car. He then stole the car. On April 1, 2020, Buckley kidnapped two other victims and attempted to steal their car. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jeremiah Dylan Claxton. Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm. Claxton, 42, of Sand Springs, is charged with being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol.The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Bradley Don Goodin. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor under 12 in Indian Country (Counts 1-3); Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child under 12 in Indian Country (Count 4); Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian Country (Count 5) Possession of a Firearm While Subject to a Domestic Violence Protective Order (Count 6)(superseding). Goodin, 46, of Sapulpa, is charged with four 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 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.
Randy Alan Hammett. 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; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Domestic Violence in Indian Country; Interstate Violation of a Protective Order; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. (2nd superseding). Hamett, 63, of Choctaw, allegedly violated a protective order by breaking into his former spouse’s home, and assaulting and kidnapping her on April 25 and April 26, 2017. He is also charged with brandishing a firearm during the crime, carjacking, possessing a stolen firearm and ammunition, and possessing firearms and ammunition while subject to a protective order. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Broken Arrow Police Department, Siloam Springs Police Department, and the Rogers State University Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Charles Hicks Jr. Robbery in Indian Country; Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in Indian Country (superseding). Hicks Jr, 50, of Okmulgee, allegedly used force and violence to steal a 2015 Cadillac Escalade from its owner. The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
Matthew Alan Joseph. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Kidnapping in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country; Theft Over $1,000 in Indian Country. Joseph, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Colt .45 pistol and associated ammunition after three domestic assault and battery convictions. In this superseding indictment, Joseph is further charged with kidnapping, assaulting a female victim using a knife, and assaulting the victim by strangling her. He is also charged with stealing the victim’s Toyota Camry. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jamie Lea Keahbone. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Keahbone, 40, of Broken Arrow, is charged with abusing a female minor by striking, beating, strangling, and suffocating her on Oct. 14, 2020. Keahbone is further charged with assaulting the minor with a lamp base. The FBI and Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Shannon James Kepler. First Degree Murder in Indian Country; Causing Death by Using and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to Crimes of Violence; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Kepler, 60, of Tulsa, is charged with deliberately and with premeditation and malice aforethought murdering Jeremey Lake by shooting him multiple times with a firearm on Aug. 5, 2014. He is also alleged to have assaulted a second male victim by discharging a firearm at the victim. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Derek Howard Long. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Long, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Hi-Point,.380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. He is further charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Benjamin Marcantel. Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. Marcantel, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting a male victim by striking him with a pick-up truck, resulting in a serious compound fracture of the victim’s leg. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Tyler Austin McGhee. Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country; Strangulation of a Dating and Intimate Partner in Indian Country. On Oct. 10, 2020, McGhee, 26, of Broken Arrow, is alleged to have sexually abused the victim. Then on Oct. 23, 2020, McGhee is alleged to have broken into the victim’s home and strangled and sexually abused the victim, causing her to fear for her life. The FBI and Broken Arrow Police Department are conducting the investigation.
Craig Alan Morrison and Amanda Lyn Walker. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Enabling Child Abuse in Indian Country (superseding). Morrison, 36, and Walker, 41, of Tulsa, are charged with enabling and committing acts of child abuse. Morrison is charged with abusing a child under the age of 18, while Walker is being charged with enabling and allowing the abuse to take place. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Emmanuel Nunez. Possession of a Firearm After a Conviction for a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence. Nunez, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a firearm after a domestic violence conviction. Nunez, knowing he had previously been convicted of domestic violence, was found to be in possession of A Rock Island Armory, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Ronald Alexander Rodriguez-Paz and Eva Estrada Juarez. Obtaining Forced Labor; Benefiting From Forced Labor; Involuntary Servitude; Trafficking With Respect to Peonage, Slavery, Involuntary Servitude, and Forced Labor; Use of False Social Security Number; Use or Possession of False Immigration Documents; Aggravated Identity Theft (superseding). Paz-Rodriguez, 36, and Juarez, 29, of Tulsa, aided and abetted each other in obtaining the labor and services of a minor child through 1. force, threats of force, physical restraint and threats of physical restraint; 2. serious harm and threats to seriously harm; 3. the abuse and threatened abuse of the law and legal process; and 4. multiple schemes to cause the victim to believe she would suffer serious harm if she did not perform the labor and services. The two are also charged with benefiting financially as a result of the forced labor; holding the minor to a condition of involuntary servitude; and recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing and obtaining the minor child for labor and services. They are both further being charged with using a false social security card, Paz-Rodriguez listing a false SSN on a rent application, and Juarez falsely listing a SSN on an employment application. Paz-Rodrigues is also being charged for using a forged permanent resident card. Paz-Rodriguez and Juarez are both being charged with aggravated identity theft for using means of identification they knew belonged to another person. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies.
Jose Pizana Ruiz and Brittany Paige Coffee. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. On Sept. 17, 2020, Ruiz, 44, and Coffee, 27, allegedly possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Travis Dray Stewart. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of Children in Indian Country. Stewart, 40, of Tulsa, knowingly engaged in sexual acts with a child under the age of 12. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jaymz Joe Vann. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Vann, 26, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and six rounds of ammunition. Vann is a 3-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Phillip Eugene Wallace. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Wallace, 31, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock .40 caliber pistol, a Taurus .40 caliber pistol, and multiple rounds of ammunition. Wallace is a 6-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Kyla Morgan Westbrook. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Westbrook, 24, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigate agency.
Kendall Ray Whitlow. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Child Neglect in Indian Country. Whitlow, 23, of Tulsa, physically abused a child under the age of 18. Further, Whitlow is also charged with child neglect after failing to provide adequate nurturance, affection, food, shelter, hygiene, sanitation, appropriate education, supervision, behavioral health care, and medical and dental care to the same child. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Sherman Herbert Wilde III. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Wilde III, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with assault for discharging a firearm at the victim. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Douglas Williams. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Williams, 46, of Tulsa, knowingly failed to register as a sex offender after being convicted as such under Federal Law. The U.S. Marshals Service and Tulsa County Sherriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Sean Bonham Windsor. Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; Fugitive From Justice in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Windsor, 39, is charged with being a felon and a fugitive from justice in possession of a Ruger 5.7x28 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and various kinds of ammunition. Windsor is a 24-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Marshals Service are the investigative agencies.
Tarence Lavell Woods. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition; Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Possession of a Machine Gun in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (superseding). Woods, 22, of Tulsa, is being charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock, 9x19mm caliber pistol and ammunition. He is also being charged with maintaining a space in order to use, manufacture, and distribute cocaine as well as use and distribute marijuana. He is further being charged for using his firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Norman Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering as Part of a Nigerian Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A Norman man pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court for his role as a money launderer in a Nigerian romance scam that defrauded multiple victims, including elder Americans, of millions, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Afeez Olajide Adebara, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering before U.S. District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell. Adebara’s sentencing hearing is set for Feb. 3, 2021.
“Adebara organized and led a money laundering operation from Oklahoma in order to conceal the proceeds of a Nigerian Romance Scam. He and his co-conspirators defrauded an Oklahoman and two other victims of more than $1.5 million,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Romance scams inflict the highest reported financial losses yearly, totaling about $200 million in 2019, when compared to other online scams. Con artists like Adebara have no shame. They care not if their victims are elders, veterans, or hard working Americans living paycheck to paycheck. I commend the FBI agents and federal prosecutors who took down this international money laundering operation.”
In his plea agreement, Adebara admitted that he knew the money involved in the financial transactions involved the proceeds from unlawful activity. He further stated that he knew the financial transactions were designed, in whole or in part, to conceal or disguise the nature, the location, the source, the ownership, or the control of the proceeds of the unlawful activity.
From 2017 through and November 2019, Adebara knowingly concealed the proceeds of a romance scam operation by moving money between and among multiple bank accounts that were opened under various aliases using fake passports and other fraudulent identification documents to obscure the source of the funds and the identities of the co-conspirators. Court documents state that he and his co-conspirators took further steps to conceal the source of the funds, took a commission, and directed the remainder of the funds back to the online romance scammers in Nigeria, including in the form of vehicles and vehicle parts.
According to court documents, Adebara coordinated with overseas co-conspirators who had assumed false identities on online dating websites and social media platforms with the intent to defraud victims. Adebara opened multiple accounts using fraudulent identities then provided the account and routing numbers to the overseas co-conspirators. The overseas co-conspirators told victims they were U.S. residents working abroad. In fact, the investigation revealed that these overseas co-conspirators were located in Nigeria. As these online “relationships” continued, the overseas co-conspirators’ would request increasingly larger sums of money, claiming that the funds were needed to complete business projects or to return to the United States. The victims were directed by the overseas co-conspirators to send funds to Adebara and others’ bank accounts, assuring the victims that he would allocate the money as needed.
Adebara was charged on Nov. 13, 2019, along with nine co-defendants. John Oluwaseun Ogundele, 31, formerly of Norman, pleaded guilty on June 15, 2020.
The remaining defendants are Joshua Naandom Ditep, 25, Nigerian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States residing in Norman; Paul Usoro, 26, Nigerian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States residing in Norman; Chibuzo Godwin Obiefuna, Jr., 27, U.S. citizen residing in Long Beach, California; Tobiloba Kehinde, 28, Nigerian citizen residing in Norman; Jamiu Ibukun Adedeji, 24, Nigerian citizen, residing in Norman; First and last name unknown #1, who maintained an address in Brooklyn, New York; First and last name unknown #2, who maintained an address in Dallas, Texas; and First and last name unknown #3, who maintained an address in Dallas, Texas. Ditep, Usoro, Obiefuna, Kehinde, and Adedeji await trial while the three additional co-defendants remain fugitives. These remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office conducted the investigation. Trial Attorney Babasijibomi Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Nassar of the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an ongoing national effort by the Department of Justice to address online fraud schemes often based out of Nigeria that target U.S. citizens. The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams to the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/.
Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Threatening Messages to Female VictimRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man admitted today in federal court that he violated a protective order by sending harassing and threatening emails to a female victim.
Parris Deshaunte Evitt, 30, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to Cyber Stalking. From Oct. 20, 2018 to Sept. 3, 2020, Evitt used email, Facebook messaging, text messages and phone calls to harass, intimidate and threaten the victim, thus violating a protective order issued against the him on July 5, 2017. During his plea hearing, Evitt admitted to using different aliases to harass the victim. In several messages, he threatened to publicly share personal information about the victim.
“This is the second cyberstalking guilty plea in our district in recent weeks. Obviously, it is a crime to which we are paying attention and about which people should be aware. Cyberstalking impacts the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of victims. In this case, Parris Evitt used threats and intimidation via Facebook, phone calls, text messages, and email to harass, scare, and violate the victim,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The Parris Evitts of the world will not be allowed to violate protective orders and threaten their victims from behind a keyboard. If they do, they’ll find themselves in a courtroom answering for their crimes.”
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell will make the final sentencing determination at a hearing set for Feb. 4, 2021.
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and a maximum of three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
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 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.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces $8.5 Million to Combat Violent Crime in the Northern District of OklahomaRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores today announced more than $8.5 million in Department of Justice grants to fight and prevent violent crime in Oklahoma. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of more than $458 million in funding to support state, local and tribal law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime in jurisdictions across the United States.
“One of the fundamental missions of government is to protect its citizens and safeguard the rule of law,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The Department of Justice will continue to meet this critical responsibility by doing everything within its power to help our state, local and tribal law enforcement and criminal justice partners fight crime and deliver justice on behalf of all Americans.”
The funding announced today continues the Trump Administration’s commitment to reducing crime and improving public safety. In the two years before President Trump took office, America had experienced a precipitous rise in crime, particularly in serious violent crime. The President elevated community safety to the top of his domestic agenda and crime rates have fallen steadily since. Recent data from the FBI and the Bureau of Justice Statistics for 2019 show a drop in crime and serious victimization for the third year in a row. However, a number of cities are experiencing conspicuous countertrends. Today’s grants will bolster crime-fighting efforts in those communities and in jurisdictions throughout the United States.
“Violence has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “Working with officials across the Trump Administration and with thousands of state, local and tribal crime-fighters across the country, the Department of Justice is leading the response to this urgent challenge. OJP is pleased to make these resources available to support innovative, tested and diverse solutions to violent crime.”
“I’m thankful for the men and women of the Tulsa Police Department and District Attorneys’ Offices who are called to protect our communities and ensure the safety of all Oklahomans. They are great partners, and I’m proud to see the Justice Department support them with more than $5.6 million in grants,” U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said. “My hope is that this grant money will help Oklahoma officials fulfill their public safety mission by focusing on community outreach, mental health funding, violent crime investigations, research programs and more.”
Of the more than $458 million awarded nationwide, OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance made 1,094 grants totaling more than $369 million to support a broad range of initiatives, including efforts in enforcement, prosecution, adjudication, detention and rehabilitation.
OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention awarded more than $10 million across 24 jurisdictions to intervene in and suppress youth gang activity as well as $1 million to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research to continue operating the National Gang Center. OJP’s National Institute of Justice awarded $7.8 million to fund research and evaluation on the prevention and reduction of violent crime. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Statistics provided more than $69 million to strengthen the quality and accessibility of records within the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
The following organizations received grant funding in Oklahoma:
BJA Community-Based Crime Reduction: CBCR leverages community knowledge and expertise to focus enforcement efforts on crime “hot spots” ‒ neighborhoods where crime is concentrated. To generate long-term impacts, the program addresses a range of challenges.
- City of Tulsa (TPD)- $900,000
BJA Justice Reinvestment Initiative: JRI provides funding for innovative and research-based responses that address a range of problems within the criminal justice system. The Justice Reinvestment approach recognizes that every justice agency has a role to play in preventing crime, apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators, ensuring efficient and effective court and pretrial decision-making, facilitating appropriate sentencing and treatment and protecting community security.
- Tulsa County District Attorney $976,980
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP): NARIP provides financial and technical assistance to states and tribes to improve the completeness, automation and transmittal of records to state and federal systems used by the NICS.
- Oklahoma District Attorneys Council $2,795,947
National Criminal History Improvement Program: NCHIP enhances the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information to state, territory and federal systems used by the NICS and ensures the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems
- Oklahoma District Attorneys Council $359,180
NIJ Research and Evaluation on Violent Crime ($7.3 million): The National Institute for Justice awarded grants to fund research and evaluation on the prevention and reduction of violent crime.
- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences- Drugs and Crime $587,219
“The Tulsa Police Department is thrilled to have been awarded the Community-Based Crime Reduction Grant. The Department worked in partnership with Tulsa Housing Authority to author the grant,” Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said. “The Tulsa Police Department plans to use these funds to assist with youth enrichment, crime prevention, community education and violent crime investigations. Police departments rely upon funding from our federal partners to carry out existing programs as well as pilot programs and initiatives. TPD will build on our collaborative efforts with partners across the community!”
BJA Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant: Byrne JAG supports a broad range of initiatives that work to prevent and reduce violent crime. It also provides funds to help crime victims and assist efforts in enforcement, prosecution, adjudication, detention and rehabilitation.
- State of Oklahoma- $2,469,111
- Tulsa County- $20,373
- Tulsa City Municipal- $322,587
- City of Broken Arrow- $11,382
BJA Project Safe Neighborhoods: The efforts of Project Safe Neighborhoods include addressing criminal gangs and the felonious possession and use of firearms. PSN collaborates with local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the communities they serve, in a unified approach led by the U.S. Attorney in all 94 districts.
- Oklahoma Northern $103,782- Oklahoma District Attorney’s Council
“As a prosecutor for the past 30 plus years, I have longed to tackle issues where the criminal justice system and those with mental health needs intersect. This award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance is certainly a positive step forward in our effort to develop innovative and research-based solutions to this expanding area of the law,” Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said. “We are partnering with Family and Children Services to examine and implement best practices so that individuals suffering from mental illness might be diverted away from criminal prosecution, and towards restorative treatment options. I am certainly appreciative of US Attorney Trent Shores and his tireless efforts to help secure this award on behalf of all citizens in the Northern District of Oklahoma. I am equally confident that the Tulsa County District Courts under the leadership of Judge William LaFortune are also appreciative of this allocation of resources to address this need in our community.”
“As a prosecutor for the past 30 plus years, I have longed to tackle issues where the criminal justice system and those with mental health needs intersect. This award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance is certainly a positive step forward in our effort to develop innovative and research-based solutions to this expanding area of the law,” Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said. “We are partnering with Family and Children Services to examine and implement best practices so that individuals suffering from mental illness might be diverted away from criminal prosecution, and towards restorative treatment options. I am certainly appreciative of US Attorney Trent Shores and his tireless efforts to help secure this award on behalf of all citizens in the Northern District of Oklahoma. I am equally confident that the Tulsa County District Courts under the leadership of Judge William LaFortune are also appreciative of this allocation of resources to address this need in our community.”
“As the state administering agency for the National Criminal History Improvement Project (NCHIP) and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP), the District Attorneys Council is elated to receive notice of these grant funds,” DAC Executive Coordinator Trent H. Baggett said. “In 2020, NCHIP funds were used to help fourteen (14) law enforcement departments obtain Livescan digital fingerprinting devices that allows the electronic transmission of fingerprints of criminal offenders to be used nationwide for criminal and noncriminal background checks. The NARIP funds helped the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) with their Criminal Record Improvement Project. That project is vital considering the OSBI is the preeminent agency in Oklahoma for the collection of criminal offender records. The DAC is very appreciative of the efforts of everyone who played a role in seeing to it Oklahoma receives these funds.”
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
United States Attorney's Office Continues to Protect the Right to Vote During ElectionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Charles McLoughlin will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA McLoughlin has served as the District Election Officer (DEO) for over a decade in the Northern District of Oklahoma, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Free, fair, secure, and accessible elections are the foundation of our democracy. Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have their vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My office will uphold its responsibility to protect this sacred right of every citizen in the Northern District of Oklahoma so that all citizens are guaranteed a voice within their communities and nationally,” U.S. Attorney Shores said.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through election day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, U.S. Attorney Shores stated that AUSA/DEO McLoughlin will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (918) 382-2713.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The Oklahoma FBI field office can be reached at (405) 290-7770.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- OctoberRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores announced today the results of the October 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.
Sharilyn Rose Browning. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Browning, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting a male victim with a knife. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Pedro Santiago Cabrera; Rolando Reyna Reyes. Conspiracy and Manufacture and Possession of over 50 grams of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute and Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises; Manufacture and Possession of Over 50 Grams of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. Cabrera, 36, and Reyes, 34, both of Tulsa, are charged with knowingly manufacturing, possessing, and distributing methamphetamine and maintaining a drug involved premises to carry out the conspiracy. The two allegedly manufactured and possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Alexander Choate. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Choate, 49, of Tulsa, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender and to update his registration. The U.S. Marshals Service is the investigative agency.
Jesus Herrera Diaz. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Herrera, 29, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Craig Lamar Gonzales. Kidnapping in Indian Country; Sexual Abuse in Indian Country; Assault in Indian Country (misdemeanor). Gonzales, is charged with kidnapping and sexually abusing a female victim. He is also charged with assaulting the victim by pulling her from a car by her hair, yanking her head back, and spitting on the victim. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Coalton Payne Guinn. Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. Guinn, 25, of Kellyville, is charged with knowingly engaging in sexual acts with a child between 12 and 16 years of age. The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Rebecca Raye Jackson; Sabrina Rena Lee. Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Jackson and Lee are charged with conspiring to communicate with the victim via Facebook and lure him to a Super 8 hotel room in Tulsa to engage in sex acts. As part of the conspiracy, the two allegedly surprised the victim with a 12-gauge shotgun and took his personal property, including money, keys, wallet, and a cell phone. The two allegedly split the money from the robbery. Jackson is also charged with robbery in Indian Country, and both women are charged with brandishing the shotgun during the robbery. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Tyler Jonathan Martin. Robbery in Indian Country. Martin, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with robbing a victim by force and intimidation. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Richi Keith McHenry. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. McHenry, 42, of Broken Arrow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson, .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition. McHenry was previously convicted of multiple felonies. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigative agency.
Casey Brandon Peterson. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child in Indian Country. Peterson, 35, of Sapulpa, is charged with sexually abusing a child under 12 years of age. The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Anthony Raul Proctor. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Proctor, 32, of Bristow, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition. Proctor is a 5-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, and Muskogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department are the investigative agencies.
John Earl Shugart. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in Indian Country. Shugart, 42, of Tulsa, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender and update his registration. The U.S. Marshals Service is the investigative agency.
Herchell Lee Timmons. Theft Over $1,000 in Indian Country; Burglary in First Degree in Indian Country. Timmons, 21, of Jenks, is charged with stealing an F-150 pick-up truck valued at over $1,000 as well as with breaking the outer door of a home with others in order to commit burglary. The homeowner was present when the crime took place. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Man Charged with Burglary and Domestic Violence in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man made an initial appearance this week in federal court after being charged with Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country and Strangulation of a Dating Partner in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Tyler Austin McGhee, 26, was arrested on Oct. 23 by Broken Arrow Police officers after he entered the home of his former girlfriend and allegedly assaulted her.
According to the complaint, the victim stated that McGhee physically assaulted her by putting her in a headlock and attempting to cover her mouth with duct tape. She also stated that he later sexually assaulted her. The victim tried to calm McGhee down and eventually found an opportunity to text a friend to call 911 as she thought McGhee might kill her if she attempted to do so herself. When officers arrived, they found McGhee in the apartment and his backpack under the bed, which allegedly contained black duct tape, black latex gloves, handcuffs, a knife, condoms, and sexual lubricant. When officers questioned McGhee, he denied any assault to the victim and claimed he just wanted to talk to her.
“Survivors of domestic violence are a resilient group. Tragically, we’ve seen domestic violence cases on the rise during this global pandemic. These are often challenging cases to present, but this United States Attorney’s Office will not shy away from tough cases nor miss an opportunity to give a voice to victims of domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “These allegations in the Complaint will receive the full attention and resources of my office as we seek to hold Tyler McGhee accountable for his alleged criminal acts.”
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 and Broken Arrow Police Department are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney encourages participation in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Oct. 24Read the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores wants Oklahomans to know how to rid their homes of unused and unwanted medications. Saturday, Oct. 24, starting at 10 a.m., the public can take those prescriptions to a DEA National Drug Take Back location in northeastern Oklahoma.
The DEA is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
“Properly discarding old medications is not only smart, it can be lifesaving. Fortunately, the Drug Enforcement Administration is making it easier for all of us to safely dispose of these unused and expired medications, helping to protect friends and loved ones who may end up misusing them,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I appreciate the DEA and our law enforcement, business and community partners, who have teamed up to provide this important public service.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement. Collection sites in the Northern District of Oklahoma include:
- DEA Tulsa- MET Recycling Center, 3495 South Sheridan, Tulsa
- Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD)- Walgreens Pharmacy, 1438 N. Lewis Avenue, Tulsa
- OBNDD- Walgreens Pharmacy, 1438 N. Lewis Avenue, Tulsa
- OBNDD- Reasor’s, 4909 E. 41st Street, Tulsa
- OBNDD- Reasor’s 7114 S. Sheridan, Tulsa
- OBNDD- Reasor’s 3915 S. Peoria Ave, Tulsa
- Broken Arrow Police Department- Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1300 E. Albany St., Broken Arrow
- Sand Spring Police Department- 602 W. Morrow Road, Sand Springs
- Miami Police Department- 129 5th Avenue Northwest, Miami
- Miami Tribal Police Department, 3410 P. Street Northwest, Miami
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Cyberstalking Tulsa MayorRead the Press Release
A Virginia man who sent harassing and intimidating emails directed toward Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and his family pleaded guilty to cyber stalking, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Adam Maxwell Donn, 41, of Norfolk, Virginia, appeared today in federal court via video conferencing. At his hearing, the defendant admitted that he sent Mayor Bynum and his wife 44 emails and left 14 voicemails from June 11 through June 22, 2020, that were meant to harass, annoy, threaten and intimate the Bynum family. He also admitted that the threatening messages made numerous references to Bynum’s children and their home address. Donn believed the threats would coerce Bynum into cancelling President Donald Trump’s campaign rally scheduled for June 20, 2020.
“Cyberstalking can be a terrifying ordeal for victims. Adam Donn’s incessant harassment and threats to both the Mayor and his family more than crossed the line. They weren’t protected speech; they were criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Today, Mr. Donn admitted his guilt and will now face the possibility of federal prison time when sentenced. The Tulsa Police and FBI really did some top notch investigative work on this case. They identified the cyber stalker, protected the victims from harm, and ultimately arrested Mr. Donn in Virginia.”
U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan accepted Donn’s plea and set sentencing for Jan. 25, 2021. The date could potentially be accelerated.
Initial charges were filed against Donn in July. You can find the press release here.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces $3.7 Million in Justice Department Grants to Combat Addiction Crisis in OklahomaRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores today announced awards of nearly $3.7 million in Department of Justice grants to fight drug abuse and addiction in Oklahoma. The grants were awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and are part of more than $341 million going to communities nationwide.
“The addiction crisis has taken an enormous toll on America’s families and communities, eroding public health, threatening public safety and claiming tens of thousands of lives year after year,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Through comprehensive measures taken by this administration, we have been able to curtail the opioid epidemic, but new and powerful drugs are presenting exceptional challenges that we must be prepared to meet. The Justice Department’s substantial investments in enforcement, response, and treatment will help us overcome these challenges and work towards freeing Americans from abuse and addiction.”
Illegal drugs and illicit drug use have claimed the lives of nearly 400,000 Americans since the turn of the century. Powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl are exacting an enormous toll on families and communities, and an emergence in the use of methamphetamines and other psychostimulants is drawing drug traffickers and driving up overdose rates. Three years ago, President Trump declared a Public Health Emergency and initiated a whole-of-government approach dedicated to ending this national tragedy. The Department of Justice has invested unprecedented levels of funding in combating the addiction crisis. The awards announced today build on those earlier investments.
“If we hope to defeat an enemy as powerful, persistent and adaptable as illicit drugs, we must be at least as determined and versatile, focusing our ingenuity and resources on curbing abuse and fighting addiction,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants will enable criminal justice officials and substance abuse, mental health and other medical professionals to pool their assets and bring the full weight of our public safety and treatment systems down on this epidemic that has already caused so much harm.”
“Drug addiction fuels criminal behavior and often devastates families, particularly affecting children whose parents abuse illicit and prescription drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Intervention programs are crucial to those struggling, whether in the criminal justice system or in our communities. The nearly $3.7 million in Justice Department grants will help fund important drug intervention programs that are a lifeline to Oklahomans suffering from addiction.”
Funding is made available through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Institute of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The following organizations in Oklahoma received funding:
Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Grants
- Tulsa County District Court, Fourteenth Judicial District: $431,618
- Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: $731,740
- Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: $547,533
Mentoring Opportunities For Youth Initiative
-Rogers County Volunteers for Youth, Inc.: $598,792 (previously announced in a press release on Oct. 9, 2020)
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program
-Oklahoma District Attorneys Council: $563,665
Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime
-Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences: $587,219
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
-Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma: $200,000
For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, click here. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
Owasso Man Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
An Owasso man admitted his guilt Tuesday in federal court after striking and killing William Houseman while eluding officers at speeds exceeding 90 mph in 2019.
Michael Leon Johnson, 34, pleaded guilty to second degree murder in Indian Country. Johnson admitted to leading officers on a chase through Tulsa streets in a stolen pick-up truck, running multiple red lights, driving into oncoming traffic and causing other drivers to divert off the road. Johnson struck the victim’s vehicle after running a red light at the intersection of 12900 East 11th St. Housman died as a result of his injuries.
“William Houseman lost his life because of Michael Johnson’s selfish and reckless choices. His death is a tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Johnson was in possession of a stolen vehicle and chose to run from police, rather than face the consequences for his criminal choices. On Jan. 12, 2021, a federal judge will hand down a sentence suitable for this senseless act.”
The FBI, Tulsa Police Department, and Tulsa Country Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark R. Morgan is prosecuting the case.
DOJ Charges More Than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY2020Read the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced charges against more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.
“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”
“When we prosecute a person for illegally possessing a gun, we are often preventing a violent crime from occurring. That’s a victory for every Oklahoman and our business community,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This past year my prosecutors charged over 100 defendants with firearms-related crimes in the Northern District of Oklahoma. These defendants included felons, domestic abusers, unlawful immigrants, and drug abusers who illegally possessed firearms and ammo. Moving forward, as part of our 2150 Initiative, we are focusing our efforts on criminals who use guns during crimes, individuals who lie on firearms transaction forms, and straw purchasers who acquire firearms for prohibited persons.”
Persons illegally possessing firearms not only threaten the public safety, but also threaten the officers who encounter them. At a press conference in September, U.S. Attorney Shores, ATF Assistant Director of Field Operations Thomas Chittum, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin, and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum announced the 2150 Initiative, which aims to hold accountable prohibited persons who possess firearms and those who help them acquire firearms. The initiative was named in honor of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop by a multi-convicted felon who possessed a handgun. Also critically wounded in the June traffic stop was Officer Aurash Zarkeshan, who continues to recover from his injuries. At the press conference, U.S. Attorney Shores also announced charges filed against defendant Jakob Garland who allegedly traded the gun to the shooter in exchange for heroin.
In a separate case, defendant Jonathan David Kelley was charged in September with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with being a drug user (methamphetamine) in possession of a firearm. The charges stemmed from an incident where Broken Arrow Police Officers encountered the defendant allegedly disoriented and waving around a gun in public. The defendant also allegedly pointed the gun at two civilians earlier in the day. According to the affidavit, 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. In a separate incident involving Kelley and the Tulsa Police Department, officers answered a domestic violence call on Aug. 29, 2020, where the defendant allegedly made threats through the door to officers and walked around with a gun, working the slide to unload and load rounds.
In FY2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to charge defendants with firearms-related crimes. So far, 11 additional defendants have been charged. A second grand jury will convene the week of Oct. 19-23.
“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”
Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories, including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.
For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces $598,792 in Grant Funding to Support Mentoring, Protect Children in Rogers CountyRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores today announced that Volunteers for Youth in Roger’s County is being awarded $598,792 in Department of Justice funding to support mentoring services for youth in rural areas hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The awards were made by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Office for Victims of Crime, part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs.
“Protecting the next generation is key to ensuring the prosperity of our nation and its citizens. This is the goal of Volunteers for Youth. They are committed to helping vulnerable at-risk youth impacted by opioid addiction in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I applaud their efforts to reach out to children in schools, and I am proud to announce they will be receiving $598,792 to aid in their mission. This grant will help fund impactful mentoring strategies that will set Roger’s County youth up for success.”
“Volunteers for Youth is looking forward to working with all of our schools and local law enforcement agencies in Claremore and Rogers County to make a positive impact on the youth in these communities,” said Art Turpel, Executive Director for Volunteers for Youth. “Our primary focus for this funding will be countering the negative impacts of misused opioids and prescription drugs.”
Today’s award in Rogers County is part of more than $261 million going to organizations and agencies across the country. Grants from OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will allow national, state and local organizations to provide mentoring to youth who are at risk of juvenile delinquency, victimization and juvenile justice system involvement. Mentoring programs supported by OJJDP help youth make connections with leaders and respected members of their communities, including law enforcement officers. Police and sheriffs’ departments have formed close and lasting bonds with young citizens, leading to greater trust and respect between law enforcement professionals and community members.“Young people in America face an array of challenges, from social and academic pressures to dangerous predators and lethal drugs. They are better equipped to meet those challenges with a model of care and compassion to guide them along,” said Sullivan. “These awards will support outstanding youth-serving organizations like the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs and their local affiliates across the country as they help youth discover their talents, find their purpose and realize their full potential. We are incredibly grateful to our mentorship programs, both nationally and locally. Badges in Blue and Badges for Baseball are great examples of successful community partnerships through law enforcement and mentoring.”
In addition, more than 100 sites are receiving grants from OJJDP and OVC to help find missing children, investigate and prosecute child exploitation cases, serve abused and neglected children, and assist minor victims of human trafficking.
For a complete list of individual grant programs, amounts to be awarded and the jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit here and here.
Additional information about Fiscal Year 2020 grant awards made by the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Awards Data webpage.
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Five Defendants Charged in Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A fourth defendant involved in a methamphetamine drug conspiracy was arrested by U.S. Marshals Thursday in West Tulsa and made an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Tina Marie Tankersley, 33, of Tulsa, was one of five defendants named in an August 2020 indictment charging the defendants with drug conspiracy and other crimes.
Also charged with drug conspiracy were Charles Dean Studie, 36; Albert Douglas Parker, 35; Sydney Daloise Courtney, 28; and Marty Jay Foster, 52, all of Tulsa. The defendants allegedly conspired to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine in the Tulsa area. Defendant Marty Foster remains at large and is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service.
“Drug traffickers should know that our team of prosecutors and agents will disrupt and dismantle their operations and bring them to account in a federal courtroom,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Keeping our neighborhoods safe is a top priority for all of us in the law enforcement community. I appreciate DEA Tulsa and Sheriff Regalado teaming up to take down these alleged meth-dealing criminals.”
“The Deputies that make up our Tulsa Housing Authority Community Enhancement Unit are dedicated to the safety and security of the families that live within the THA complexes,” said Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado. “There’s no doubt in my mind the people who live in these complexes are safer now that this drug operation is shut down. We are extremely proud of the work of our Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Community Enhancement Unit.”
The indictment also charged Tankersley and Parker with maintaining a drug involved premises at 1503 West 59th St. South in Tulsa. Studie is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Studie and Courtney are also charged with maintaining a drug involved premises at 1622 West 59th Street South in Tulsa.
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.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar is prosecuting the case.
Federal Grand Jury A Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores today announced the results of the October 2020 Federal Grand Jury A. The grand jury returned 26 unsealed and 3 sealed indictments.
Because of the large volume of cases the Northern District of Oklahoma has been charging since the Supreme Court’s McGirt decision in July, a second Federal Grand Jury B will convene the week of Oct. 19-23, 2020.
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.
Joshua Aaron Attocknie (superseding). Possession of Stolen Vehicle in Indian Country; Endangering Others While Eluding Police Officer in Indian Country. (superseding) Attocknie, 38, of Tulsa, is charged with two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle. Attocknie unlawfully and knowingly possessed a 2016 black Audi A5 and a 2020 black Chevrolet Silverado previously stolen from a dealership and rental company by unknown parties. In the superseding indictment, Attocknie is also charged with attempting to elude officers on July 13, 2020, by rapidly accelerating and endangering others when police tried to pull him over. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Scotty Lee Belcher. Possessing and Uttering Forged Security. Belcher, 31, of Talala, is charged with seven counts of possessing and trying to pass counterfeited checks with intent to deceive four motorcycle and car dealerships in August 2019. The checks were written in the amounts of $37,800, $31,800, $2,240, $21,050, $28,600, $21,500, and $16,500. The Tulsa Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, and FBI are the investigative agencies.
David Samuel Boggs Jr. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Boggs Jr., 34, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a FMK .9 mm pistol and associated ammunition after kidnapping and domestic abuse convictions. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Matthew Scott Boll. Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country; Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country; Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm. Boll, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with killing Antonio Morencio Velasco using a firearm. He is further charged with involuntary manslaughter and with possessing a Springfield Armory .9 mm semi-automatic pistol while being an unlawful user of methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Madelyn Abigail Brown. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Brown, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting a male with a dangerous weapon by repeatedly stabbing the victim with a knife. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Ibanga Etuk, Teosha Etuk, Olusola Ojo. Ibanga Etuk, Teosha Etuk, Olusola Ojo. Bank Fraud Conspiracy (count 1); Bank Fraud (counts 2-6); Aggravated Identity Theft (counts 7-9); Unlawful Monetary Transaction (counts 10-17). (2nd superseding). Ibanga Etuk, 40, and Teosha Etuk, 32, both of Tulsa, and Ojo, 41, of Owasso, allegedly conspired together and with others to commit bank fraud from April 1, 2020 to August 4, 2020. The three defendants created 12 fictitious business entities that would fraudulently apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under false pretenses such as the number of employees, payroll expenditures, taxes paid during previous months, details of business ownership, and a false representation of their relationship with one another. During this time, Ibanga Etuk, Teosha Etuk, and Olusola Ojo 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 total approximate amount of $5,430,585 and actually obtained funding from banks in the total approximate amount of $995,385. The three defendants are also charged with various counts of bank fraud. Teosha Etuk, Ibanga Etuk, and Olusola Ojo are each further charged with counts of aggravated identity theft. Teosha Etuk and Ibanga Etuk are further charged with counts of unlawful monetary transactions. The Federal Reserve Board-Office of Inspector General (OIG); Small Business Administration-OIG, and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Matthew Alan Joseph. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Joseph, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a Colt .45 pistol and associated ammunition after three domestic assault and battery convictions in 2008 and 2017. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Johnathan David Kelley. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition; Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm; Attempt to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Kelley, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic pistol after previously being convicted for DUI and for possessing a controlled drug. The FBI and Broken Arrow and Tulsa Police Departments are the investigative agencies.
Jason Gordon Kinnear; Brittney Lynn Kinnear. Possession of Marijuana 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; Possession of an Unregistered Rifle Having a Barrel of Less Than 16 Inches in Length. Jason Kinnear, 20, of Tulsa, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute marijuana and with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is also charged with leasing a premises for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing, storing, distributing and using controlled substances. He is further charged with possessing a Del-Ton .223 short-barrel rifle and a Glock 9 mm pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. Finally, both Jason Kinnear and Brittney Kinnear, 22, of Tulsa, are charged with possessing a rifle having a barrel length of less than 16 inches and not registered to either of them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The Tulsa Police Department, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Sergio Lopez-Ramirez. Possession of a Firearm by an Alien Illegally in the United States; Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Lopez-Ramirez is charged with being an alien illegally in the United States in possession of a Forjas Taurus 9 mm Luger and associated ammunition. He is further charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported Jan. 16, 2017, at or near Brownsville, Texas. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), and ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) are the investigative agencies.
Tymalk Quane Love; Anthony Ward Irving; Casey Joe Eastwood. Drug Conspiracy (counts 1-2); Importation of a Controlled Substance- Fentanyl (count 3); Smuggling Goods Into the United States (count 4); Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility (counts 5-34); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (counts 35 and 36) (3rd superseding). From approximately January 2018 through February 2019, Love, 30, of Tulsa; Irving, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Eastwood, 34, of Purdy, Missouri, conspired to distribute heroin and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (count 1). According to the indictment, Love organized the conspiracy using contraband cell phones from inside the Oklahoma Department of Corrections where he was an inmate. Other members of the conspiracy allegedly included a “Facilitator” who purchased drugs from bulk distributors and sold the drugs to mid-level drug dealers; a “Broker,” defendant Irving, who helped connect Love and the Facilitator with bulk distributors in Arizona; and a “Distributor,” defendant Eastwood, who bought drugs from the facilitator. Love profited by selling drugs to mid-level drug dealers at higher prices than what Love had paid the wholesaler.
Love is further charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl (count 2); importing/smuggling fentanyl into the United States (count 3 and 4); using a cell phone to direct his illicit drug operation (counts 5-27); and possessing a Taurus 9 mm pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes on Jan. 31, 2018 and Feb. 7, 2019 (Count 35-36). Finally, Eastwood is charged with using a cell phone as part of the drug conspiracy (counts 28-34). The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Ryan Glen McClain. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding in Indian Country. McClain, 37, of Tulsa, is charged with two counts of assault. On Sept. 10, 2020, McClain allegedly assaulted an intimate partner by striking and wounding her. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Fernando Moreno. Possession of Cocaine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes; Possession of a Firearm by Alien Illegally in the United States. Moreno, age unknown, of Tulsa, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, one for cocaine and the second for methamphetamine. Moreno is also charged with being an illegal alien unlawfully possessing an Anderson AR-15, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle and using that rifle during his drug trafficking crimes. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), ICE-Entry and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Eugene Patterson. Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country. Patterson, 35, of Tulsa, on Jan. 11, 2020, broke into a home by breaking the door down with the intent to commit burglary. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Robert William Perry II. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian Country. Perry, 30, of Tulsa, is charged with two counts of child sexual abuse. From May 6, 2017 to May 15, 2018, Perry knowingly engaged in sexual acts and sexual contact with a child under the age of 12. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Zachary Thomas Price. Stalking in Indian Country. Price, 20, of Tulsa, from April 1, 2020 to Aug. 23, 2020 engaged in behavior intended to injure, harass, intimidate, and cause substantial emotional threat to two other males and their family members. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Timothy Alfred Reed Jr. Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. Reed, 49, of Mounds, on November 6, 2018, killed another male by striking him with a vehicle while allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine. The FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are the investigative agencies.
Cain Reyes-Cruz. Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Cruz, 42, an alien, was found in the United States after having been deported on March 14, 2013, near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Entry and Removal Operations is the investigative agency.
Darryl Lamont Sanders. Kidnapping in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. Sanders, 54, allegedly kidnapped a female victim on Jan. 30, 2020. Sanders then allegedly proceeded to rape the victim and threaten her with serious bodily injury or death. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Lakota Ray Scott. Domestic Assault by Strangulation in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Scott, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting her girlfriend by strangling and suffocating the victim and then assaulting her with a television on March 16, 2016.
Robbery in Indian Country; Larceny of a Motor Vehicle in Indian Country. In a separate indictment, Scott is also charged with using violence and intimidation to steal a pick-up truck on Jan. 31, 2019. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies in both indictments.
Devin Charles Staller (superseding indictment). Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Burglary in the Second Degree in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country. Staller, 23, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Montgomery Ward Savage 16 gauge pump-action shotgun. Staller is an 8-time convicted felon. Further, Staller is charged with assaulting a female victim by cutting her with a knife. Staller is also charged with two counts of burglary. He allegedly broke into two homes, one where no one was present and the other when the home owner was present and Staller was armed with a knife. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is the investigative agency.
Ernie Wayne Standing Soldier Jr. (written as Standingsoldier in the indictment). Assault of an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle or Suffocate in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Dating Partner in Indian Country. Standing Soldier Jr., 35, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting an intimate partner and by strangulation on Feb. 20, 2020. He is also charged with breaking into the victim’s home with intent to commit a crime. Finally on March 16, 2020, Standing Soldier Jr. is alleged to have punched the victim in the face and attempted to strangle her. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Jeremy Ryan Wetch (superseding indictment). Stalking; Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. Wetch, 33, of Akron, Colorado, traveled to Tulsa on Oct. 12, 2018, with the intent to harass and intimidate another individual, causing substantial emotional stress. Wetch is further charged with unlawfully using marijuana and knowingly possessing a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum caliber revolver, a Beretta .22LR caliber pistol, a Beretta .45 Auto caliber pistol, and various types of ammunition. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Shane McClearan Wright. Attempted Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute; Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Wright, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Further, Wright is charged with knowingly maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Damion Lamons Zachery. Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Burglary in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country; First Degree Burglary in Indian Country; Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. (superseding indictment) Zachary, 28, of Tulsa, and others, collectively referred to as “the conspirators,” agreed to commit the following crimes. On March 31, 2020, they allegedly broke into the home of an individual, threatened the occupants with a firearm, and demanded property and money from those residing in the home. The conspirators allegedly used gang affiliation to intimidate the occupants and force them to comply. During this time, one of the conspirators put a firearm to the head of a female juvenile present in the home. They proceeded to steal the occupants’ personal property, including but not limited to a wallet containing identification, money and credit cards as well as a PlayStation console and controllers. When a neighbor arrived at the home, he was threatened and chased from the residence by the conspirators. After committing these alleged crimes, the conspirators fled together in a black SUV. Zachary is also charged with being a felon in possession of a Zastava Arms 7.62x39mm caliber, semi-automatic pistol and various kinds of ammunition. The FBI is the investigative agency.
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores Announces $1.6 Million in Grants to Improve Services for Crime Victims in Northern District of OklahomaRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trent Shores today announced more than $1.6 million in Department of Justice grants are being awarded to improve services for crime victims in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of $144 million distributed throughout the United States to enhance the response to victims of crime.
“The Department of Justice is steadfast in its commitment to protecting public safety and bringing justice to those who have been victimized,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The investments we are making today will support service providers as they work to secure the legal rights of victims and put survivors of criminal acts on the road to recovery.”
The awards made to organizations in the Northern District of Oklahoma will advance the use of technology, improve community preparedness and law enforcement training and provide emergency and transitional shelter to assist victims of crime. Programs will also support victims of child abuse and fund research projects related to perpetrators and victims of elder abuse. Approximately $64.3 million was awarded under Office for Victims of Crime grant programs; over $54.1 million was awarded under Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention programs; over $19.9 million was awarded under Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking grant programs; and nearly $5.7 million was awarded under two National Institute of Justice grant programs.
“My hope is that these grants will support and enable our law enforcement partners and victim advocates to fulfill their public safety mission. The collective work they do is critical for crime victims and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “These grants will provide restorative resources for victims of crime and their families so that they may begin the healing process and reclaim their lives. Funding is also being awarded to strengthen sex offender registration programs.”
“As lockdowns and lawlessness fuel crime in America’s homes and communities, more people are vulnerable to victimization and those who have been victimized face new hurdles,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is committed to giving our victim service partners the tools they need to better serve their clients and protect victims’ rights.”
The following organizations in the Northern District of Oklahoma received funding to enhance their responses to victims of crime:
Receiving grants for emergency shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking and their companion animals is:
- Delaware Tribe of Indians: $399,989
The Adam Walsh Act program provides funding to assist jurisdictions with developing or enhancing programs designed to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. SORNA was enacted to provide a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. In the Northern District of Oklahoma, the following entities are receiving funding for this program:
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation: $399,985
- Miami Tribe of Oklahoma: $213,755
- Oklahoma Department of Corrections: $399,047
Finally, the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma received $250,000 in continuation funding to provide services to Tribal children and youth who are victimized as the result of the opioid crisis.
Other Oklahoma entities receiving grant funding are the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City.
For a complete list of individual grant programs, amounts to be awarded and the jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/ovcvictimsfactsheet.pdf.
In addition to the grants listed above, OJP awarded nearly $101 million in funding to combat human trafficking and provide vital services to trafficking victims throughout the United States. For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts and jurisdictions that will receive this funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/ovchumantraffickingfactsheet.pdf.
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty for Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A Tulsa man pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Wesley Scott Stonebarger, 37, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy before Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell. Stonebarger admitted that from October 2019 to February 2020, he conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine to others who then redistributed the drug to third parties in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
“Methamphetamine and fentanyl are two of the most notorious killers of our time. They wreak havoc through addiction and death. This drug dealer had both at the time of his arrest,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Sadly, methamphetamine remains the most widely abused illicit drug in Oklahoma, and we are seeing more and more fentanyl being trafficked into our communities. Thanks to the interdiction efforts of federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations, we were able to stop this dope from making it to the streets.”
“Homeland Security Investigations special agents will always partner with law enforcement agencies across Oklahoma and around the globe to arrest drug traffickers who pose a significant public safety risk to our communities. Anyone that distributes dangerous substances, such as methamphetamine, that destroys countless lives to make a profit has no place in our society, said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge, HSI Dallas. “Countering these type of threats is a top priority for HSI, and we are committed to holding those who take advantage of vulnerable consumers fully accountable.”
During a law enforcement operation, agents suspected that Stonebarger received methamphetamine and fentanyl from sources outside the Northern District of Oklahoma and that he received some deliveries through the U.S. Postal Service. Agents learned that Stonebarger was wanted on a series of warrants and arrested him on Dec. 19, 2019.
Chief Judge Dowdell set sentencing for Jan. 7, 2021.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick prosecuted the case. AUSA McCormick serves as the lead attorney for the United States Attorney’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.
The initial indictment press release can be found here.
DOJ Charges 500 + Domestic Violence-Related Firearms Cases in FY2020Read the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. A Department priority since 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr created the Department of Justice’s first-ever Domestic Violence Working Group, these charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made domestic violence firearms-related investigations a priority.
“Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminal offenders is one of the Department of Justice’s top priorities,” said Attorney General Barr. “This is especially important when it comes to individuals with prior domestic violence convictions. The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence. In fact, in some communities across America, roughly half of the homicides are related to domestic violence. The Department of Justice is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them, and we will continue investigating and prosecuting all domestic violence firearms related crimes.”
“According to the CDC, data suggests that about one in six homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner,” said ATF Acting Director Lombardo. “Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner. ATF is committed to aggressively pursuing prohibited possession of firearms due to domestic violence convictions and certain protective orders. It is another way we prevent violent gun crime within our communities.”
Of the more than 500 cases charged in FY2020, eight domestic violence-related firearms cases have been brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma, one resulting in the death of the victim, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, member of the Attorney General’s Domestic Violence Working group.
In August and September, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also charged 10 additional defendants in domestic violence cases not involving firearms, some resulting in homicide. Charges include assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault by strangling or suffocating, kidnapping and more.
“Domestic violence prosecutions are akin to homicide prevention. We owe it to victims of domestic violence to dedicate all available resources to stop habitual offenders and break the cycle of violence. Firearms are used in more than half of all intimate partner homicides in the United States, and that’s one area where my office can focus our prosecutions,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Bottom line, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focused on keeping guns out of the hands of perpetrators with domestic violence convictions. We do this by prosecuting these abusers when they possess a firearm or ammunition, thus taking them out of the home so victims can feel safe and seek essential services to help them move forward.”
Under federal law, individuals with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders, are prohibited from possessing firearms. The data shows that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a high risk of homicide. In fact, domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners.
The Working Group, chaired by U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox, of the Northern District of Texas, disseminates legal guidance on keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers using three federal statutes:
• 18 USC § 922 (g)(1), felon in possession of a firearm
• 18 USC § 922 (g)(9), possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (misdemeanor crime of domestic violence)
• 18 USC § 922 (g)(8), possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order
Based on the Working Group’s guidance, in FY 2020, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide brought 337 domestic violence felon-in-possession charges, 54 possession while subject to a protective order charges, and 142 possession by a prohibited person charges.
For more information on domestic violence or to get help, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
A man who robbed two Tulsa banks, claiming to have a bomb and firearms, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Thomas Lawrence Dean, 51, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery using a dangerous weapon, conveying false information on hoaxes, and being a felon in possession of a .38 Special revolver and associated ammunition. According to the plea agreement, the United States and the defendant agreed to a sentence of 12 years in federal prison. Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell will make the final sentencing determination at a hearing set for Jan. 5, 2021.
“Think about being the bank teller who was handed a note by a robber threatening to have a bomb or to go on a killing spree. What a terrifying experience. Thankfully, the FBI and Tulsa Police teamed up to investigate the bank robbery and arrested Thomas Dean,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I am pleased to see Mr. Dean admit his guilt and accept responsibility for his actions, and I am thankful for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Raley who pursued justice for the victims in this case.”
In his plea agreement, Dean admitted to robbing an International Bank of Commerce (IBC) on July 1, 2019. Dean stated that he disguised himself and carried a black bag containing an apparatus that looked like an explosive device. According to court documents, Dean approached a teller and handed her a note demanding money. In the note, Dean indicated that he was in possession of a bomb and firearm. He left the bank with a total of $500 then discarded the black bag with the fake explosive device and two BB guns inside.
On July 10, 2019, Dean also robbed an Arvest Bank, handing the teller a note that stated, “This is a robbery….Don’t make this a killing spree.” Dean also indicated in the note that he had a firearm. The defendant left the bank with $1,250 but was later located by Tulsa Police Officers.
The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley is prosecuting the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing a Sapulpa Dollar GeneralRead the Press Release
Trentin Anton Richardson, 20, of Beggs, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of robbery and another count of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
“The Justice Department is reducing violent crime here in Tulsa and all across America. We’re doing that through our partnerships with local and federal law enforcement. Armed robber Trentin Richardson made a bad decision when he robbed a local store and discharged a gun in the process. Patrons feared for their lives. Now, he is facing the consequence for his actions,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
On June 4, 2020, Richardson used a Ruger semi-automatic pistol to rob a Dollar General in Sapulpa. Richardson, wearing a mask and gloves, entered the store, locked the door, fired one round into the ceiling, and ordered everyone inside to get on the ground. He then took money from the register and safe along with money and cell phones belonging to customers. Richardson was apprehended by officers shortly after he exited the store.
The Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella is prosecuting the case.
Trio Charged with Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
Three defendants made initial appearances in federal court Tuesday after being charged with the sex trafficking of children, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Dominique Laron Morgan, 25, of Tulsa; Rontaysha Leann Cox, 26, of Wichita, Kansas; and Treveon Marquise Cato, 22, of Tulsa, were charged in an August indictment, which was unsealed yesterday after their initial appearances.
The trio allegedly recruited, enticed, harbored, and advertised a minor to participate in sexual activity, profiting from her exploitation. Advertisements for the teenager were discovered on a website promoting prostitution and soliciting sex acts in exchange for money.
“The targeted trafficking and exploitation of minors is despicable. I am dismayed that our community continues to see child sex trafficking ventures in operation, and I am sickened that there is a customer-base for such a venture to even exist. We must target the supply and demand,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “My office will do everything we can to protect our children from harm and exploitation. We will do so in partnership with agencies like the Tulsa Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations, who are indispensable in these types of investigations.”
Two of the defendants face additional charges. Morgan is further charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Cox is also charged with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
The Tulsa Police Department Vice-Human Trafficking Unit, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Snow is prosecuting the case.
Corporate Embezzler Sentenced to 33 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
A woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for embezzling $823,714 from her Tulsa employer. Leslie Michelle Clark, 53, of Tulsa, previously pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud on June 10.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Clark to 33 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. He further ordered Clark to pay $823, 714 in restitution to her former employer.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office white collar prosecution team won’t stand idly by while thieves like Leslie Clark embezzle from Oklahoma businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Fraudsters in this district can expect to find themselves in a federal courtroom and then in federal prison. On top of that, Leslie Clark will have to pay back the more than $800,000 of ill-gotten gains she embezzled.”
Clark was hired as a financial controller at a Tulsa company in 2014. As controller, she supervised all financial matters, including contracting, billing and paying vendors. In July 2018, Clark created a fictitious consulting company, opened an account for it, and caused her employer to pay for fabricated services never rendered. Clark falsely and fraudulently told colleagues at the company that the payments were for consulting services and presented false and fraudulent invoices from her fictitious company in support of her scheme.
Clark will report to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility on Jan. 6, 2021.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Cella prosecuted the case.
Armed Robber Sentenced to 300 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
A man who robbed five Tulsa and Sand Springs businesses was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 300 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
John Michael McIntosh, 23, of Tulsa, will serve an additional five years on supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell further ordered McIntosh to pay $1,127.25 in restitution.
“Let it be known that we will aggressively prosecute gun toting robbers like John McIntosh and seek lengthy federal prison sentences. After robbing five businesses in the Tulsa metro-area, McIntosh earned every day of his 25-year sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “The credit goes to our law enforcement partners and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Morgan and Robert Raley who collectively performed great work to bring McIntosh to justice.”“
On Nov. 1, 2019, McIntosh pleaded guilty to five counts of obstructing, delaying, and affecting commerce by robbery and three counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
In his plea agreement, McIntosh admitted that he robbed a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Sand Springs on Feb. 17, 2019; a Waters Liquor Store in Tulsa on Feb. 19, 2019; and a Liquor Mart in Tulsa on Feb. 21, 2019. He further admitted to robbing two QuikTrips, located in Tulsa and in Sand Springs, on Feb. 23. In all the robberies, McIntosh threatened employees while brandishing a handgun. During one of the robberies, the defendant pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded money from the register, threatening to “blow her f***ing face off” if she didn’t comply.
The Sand Springs and Tulsa Police Departments and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark R. Morgan and Robert T. Raley prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney, Tulsa Police Chief, and ATF Assistant Director announce the “2150 Initiative” in memory of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig JohnsonRead the Press Release
Today, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Assistant Director of Field Operations Thomas Chittum announced the launch of the “2150 Initiative” in memory of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson who was killed in June by a multi-convicted felon with a firearm. 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. Mayor GT Bynum also joined law enforcement in making the announcement.
The 2150 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 those responsible as the “source” of the firearms to prohibited persons.
“At the heart of the 2150 Initiative is reducing violent crime for every citizen in our district,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Through this important initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to investigate and prosecute criminals illegally possessing guns, and in doing so honor Sgt. Craig Johnson’s legacy of service.”
“ATF is proud to honor the life and sacrifice of Tulsa Sgt. Craig Johnson by carrying on his mission,” stated ATF Assistant Director of Field Operations Thomas Chittum. “The 2150 Initiative will combine the three pillars of ATF’s strategy to keep Tulsa safe: partnership, intelligence, and enforcement. We will work tirelessly with our partners to identify, investigate, and aggressively prosecute armed criminals and those who arm them. Commit a gun crime in Tulsa and expect to spend a long time in federal prison.”
“Let it serve as a notice—if you are a criminal and you possess a gun, we will go after you. It is another tool in our tool belt to do so,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin. “When I think of this initiative, I think of action, and action is what Craig Johnson was all about. It is fitting that we can carry that on through the 2150 initiative.”
The Tulsa Police Department recently received an $800,000 Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) grant from the Department of Justice. With this grant, the department added a second NIBIN machine. The Tulsa Police Department also has created a Crime Gun Unit (CGU). This unit focuses and investigates the NIBIN leads developed through the robust NIBIN program within the department as well as shootings, felons in possession, and the sources of the crime guns in Tulsa. All emphasis will be on combating violent crime in Tulsa. An ATF NIBIN contractor is housed within the Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigations Division (SID) where the CGU is located. The NIBIN contractor works side by side with the CGU investigators and ATF Special Agents to coordinate and investigate the NIBIN leads. To date for 2020, the Tulsa Police Department has seized 1,132 firearms. The TPD SID has been responsible for seizing 261 of those firearms in 2020 (approximately 23% of all the firearms seized by the department). There have been 931 firearms related arrests made by TPD in 2020. Of those arrests, 559 (approximately 60%) have been for Felon in Possession.
Since July, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 30 defendants with firearms offenses, including 23 felons in possession of guns. Other charges include possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, making false statements to a firearms dealer and possession of a firearm by an alien illegally in the United States.
Federal Grand Jury Hands Down More Than 60 Indictments in SeptemberRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Trent Shores today announced the results of the September 2020 Federal Grand Jury B. The grand jury returned 55 unsealed and eight sealed indictments.
“We have experienced another first in our District with more than 60 indictments being returned by the federal Grand Jury. I could not be any prouder of the diligent work of my entire team. Our attorneys, support staff, and administrative staff have worked tirelessly to pursue our mission of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This month we were also lucky to have the help of federal prosecutors and support staff from other U.S. Attorney’s Offices who volunteered to work in Tulsa for the next six months. They were essential to our efforts this month and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.”
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.
Dalton Wayne Abel. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Possession of a Firearm While Addicted to a Controlled Substance. Abel, 23, of Owasso, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Ruger 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol. Abel was previously convicted in 2015 for Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance. Abel is also charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm while being addicted to methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Mark Paul Adlawan. False Statement to a Firearms Dealer. Aldawan, 56, of Afton, is charged with knowingly making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. According to court documents, Aldawan falsely filled out an ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, to the effect that he had not previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, whereas in fact, he had been convicted of Domestic Abuse – Assault and Battery in 2002. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigative agency.
Juan Alaniz. Possession of a Firearm by an Alien Illegally in the United States; Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. Alaniz, 46, of Tulsa, is charged with being an alien unlawfully in the United States in possession of a Mossberg International .22LR caliber rifle and ammunition. Alaniz is also charged with reentry of a removed alien, having returned to the United States unlawfully after being deported on or about June 2, 2011, at or near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Terrance Alexis Anderson. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner in Indian Country; Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle or Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Anderson, 40, of Bristow, is charged with assaulting his partner by strangling and stabbing her, causing substantial bodily injury. The FBI and Bristow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Joshua Dale Armstrong. Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child in Indian Country; Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child in Indian Country. Armstrong, 33, of Tulsa, is charged with sexual abuse of a minor. From Jan. 1, 2018 to April 16, 2020 Armstrong knowingly engaged in sexual acts with a child under the age of 12. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jarrod Dale Armstrong. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Armstrong, 39, of Jennings, is charged with being a felon in possession of Japanese 7.7mm caliber bolt-action rifle; a Kessler Arms Corp. 16 gauge bolt-action shotgun; a Winchester .25-20 caliber lever-action rifle; a Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (Mossberg) .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle; a Remington 12 gauge pump-action shotgun; a Ruger .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle; a Smith and Wesson .40 S&W caliber semi-automatic pistol; and associated ammunition. Armstrong has been convicted of five previous felonies. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the investigative agency.
Joshua Aaron Attocknie. Possession of Stolen Vehicle in Indian Country. Attocknie, 38, of Tulsa, is charged with two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle. Attocknie unlawfully and knowingly possessed a 2016 black Audi A5 and a 2020 black Chevrolet Silverado previously stolen from a dealership and rental company by unknown parties. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Richard Howard Barnett III. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises; Possession of a Firearms During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime. Barnett, 24, of Tulsa, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute. Barnett is further charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and using a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using methamphetamine and heroin. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Alvaro Bazan. Aggravated Identity Theft; Misuse of Social Security Number; False Statement in Application for Passport. Bazan, age unknown, of Tulsa, is charged with knowingly using another individual’s identification without lawful authority. Bazan is also charged with knowingly making a false statement in an application for a passport by attempting to use a social security number that was not his own. The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General is the investigative agency.
Davion Marque Beard. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Beard, 32, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock GMBH 9 x 19mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Beard was previously convicted of second degree murder while committing a felony. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Dustin Grover Bruner. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Bruner, 38, of Sapulpa, is charged with assaulting a man by stabbing him with a knife. The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Philip Thomas Burris. Felon in Possession of Firearm. Burris, 32, of Miami, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Samsun Defense S.A. (Canik) 9 x 19mm caliber semi-automatic pistol. Burris is a 5-time convicted felon. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Quapaw Tribal Marshal Service are the investigative agencies.
Kendal Jane Copeland. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Copeland, 26, of Tulsa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Desmond Lee Cousino. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Cousino, 24, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Glock GMBH 9x19mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Glock GMBH .40 S&W caliber semi-automatic, and ammunition. Cousino is a six-time convicted felon. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Ibanga Etuk; Olusola Ojo. Bank Fraud Conspiracy; Bank Fraud. Etuk, 40, of Tulsa, and Olusola Ojo, 41, of Owasso, conspired together and with others to commit bank fraud from April 1, 2020 to August 4, 2020. Etuk and Ojo created 18 businesses entities that would fraudulently apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under false pretenses such as the number of employees, payroll expenditures, taxes paid during previous months, details of business ownership, and a false representation of their relationship with one another. During this time, Etuk and Ojo submitted multiple applications for the same businesses to several different banks, without disclosing to those banks that they were submitting duplicative applications. They conspired to obtain loans in the total approximate amount of $5,130,585 and actually obtained funding from banks in the total approximate amount of $995,385. The Federal Reserve Board-Office of Inspector General (OIG); Small Business Administration-OIG, and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Jared Andrew Evans. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner in Indian Country; Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle or Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. Evans, 28, of Sapulpa, assaulted his dating partner by strangling her, hitting her to the ground, and kicking her with his feet. The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Parris Deshaunte Evitt. Cyber Stalking. Evitt, 30, of Tulsa, violated a protective order issued against him when he allegedly cyber stalked a female victim from October 29, 2018 through September 3, 2020, placing the victim in fear of death and serious bodily injury and causing substantial emotional distress. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Sheriah Shae Fox. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Fox, 24, of Sapulpa, is charged with assaulting another woman with a knife. The FBI and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Police Department are the investigative agencies.
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. Goodin, 46, of Sapulpa, from January 1, 2019 to October 5, 2019, engaged in sexual acts with an Indian minor under the age of 12. The Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Randy Alan Hamett. 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; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Stalking in Indian Country; Domestic Violence in Indian Country; Interstate Violation of a Protective Order; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Hamett, 63, of Choctaw, allegedly violated a protective order by stalking his former spouse, breaking into her home, and assaulting and kidnapping her on April 25 and April 26, 2017. He is also charged with brandishing a firearm during the crime, carjacking, possessing a stolen firearm and ammunition, and possessing firearms and ammunition while subject to a protective order. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Broken Arrow Police Department, Siloam Springs Police Department, and the Rogers State University Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Harlan Frank Hardiman. Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. Hardiman, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with voluntary manslaughter after getting in a fight with another male and killing him by punching him in the head. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Sha-Lisa Harlin. Murder in the First Degree in Indian Country (count 1); Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country (counts 2-3); Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition (count 4). Harlin, 39, of Tulsa, is charged with deliberately shooting and killing a male victim on May 22, 2020. Harlin is further charged with attempting to assault two females. Finally, Harlin is charged with being a felon in possession of a .25 Auto caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Michael Charles Hicks. Carjacking. Hicks, 50, of Tulsa, is charged with stealing a 2015 Cadillac Escalade from its owner by force, violence, and with the intent to cause the victim serious harm. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Imari Jamil Hines. Felony Child Abuse in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury of a Child under the Age of Sixteen in Indian Country. Hines, 34, of Tulsa, on April 28, 2020, willfully injured a twelve year old boy by striking him repeatedly with a belt. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Carl John Irons Jr. Murder—Second Degree in Indian Country. Irons, 19, of Tulsa, is charged with second degree murder after killing a juvenile male using a firearm. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Christopher Allen King. Felon in Possession of Firearm; Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. King, 34, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Mossberg 12 gauge pump-action shotgun and multiple round of various ammunition. Further, King is charged with being in possession of two destructive devices not registered to him in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, specifically, an incendiary bomb contained in a 99 butterscotch bottle and an incendiary bomb contained a tequila rose bottle. King is an 8-time convicted felon. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Arthur Ray Kratz. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country. Kratz, 38, of Tulsa, on March 11, 2020, allegedly broke into the victim’s home to commit a crime and assaulted the victim with a metal bar. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Redex Lester Jr. Murder in the Second Degree in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. Lester, 53, of Tulsa, is charged with second degree murder and assault after he killed one man and seriously injured another in a multi-vehicle car accident. At the time of the accident, Lester was allegedly intoxicated, speeding, and driving with a suspended license from a previous DUI conviction. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Kelsey Dawn Lipp. First Degree in Indian Country Felony-Murder; Robbery in Indian Country. Lipp, 25, of Tulsa, allegedly caused the unlawful killing of Dustin Michael Barham when she and others robbed the victim at gun point. In the commission of the robbery, Barham was murdered. The Tulsa Police Department and FBI are the investigative agencies.
Tymalk Quane Love; Anthony Ward Irving; Casey Joe Eastwood. Drug Conspiracy (counts 1-2); Importation of a Controlled Substance- Fentanyl (count 3); Smuggling Goods Into the United States (count 4); Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility (counts 5-34); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (counts 35 and 36). From approximately January 2018 through February 2019, Love, 30, of Tulsa; Irving, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Eastwood, 34, of Purdy, Missouri, conspired to distribute heroin and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (count 1). According to the indictment, Love organized the conspiracy using contraband cell phones from inside the Oklahoma Department of Corrections where he was an inmate. Other members of the conspiracy allegedly included a “Wholesaler,” defendant Irving, a bulk distributor from Arizona who sold the drugs to the facilitator; a “Facilitator” who purchased drugs from bulk distributors and sold the drugs to mid-level drug dealers; and a “Distributor”- defendant Eastwood, who bought drugs from the facilitator. Love profited by selling drugs to mid-level drug dealers at higher prices than what Love had paid the wholesaler. Love is further charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl (count 2); importing/smuggling fentanyl into the United States (count 3 and 4); using a cell phone to direct his illicit drug operation (counts 5-27); and possessing a Taurus 9 mm pistol in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes on Jan. 31, 2018 and Feb. 7, 2019 (Count 35-36). Finally, Eastwood is charged with using a cell phone as part of the drug conspiracy (counts 28-34). The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Kung-Gi Lowe. Attempted Robbery in Indian County; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian County. Kuna-Gi Lowe, 35, of Bixby, is charged with attempted robbery in Indian Country and with attempted assault of a female victim using a knife. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Robert Joseph Marder. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country; Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country. Marder, 30, is charged with breaking and entering another’s dwelling with intent to commit a crime and with assaulting an individual present in the dwelling. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Franklin Thomas Markwardt. Burglary in the First Degree in Indian Country. Markwardt, 42, of Broken Arrow, is charged with breaking and entering another’s dwelling with intent to commit a crime while those residing in the home were present. The FBI and Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Adam Raymond Mason. Murder in the First Degree in Indian Country; Arson in Indian Country. Mason, 29, of Bristow, is charged with the premeditated murder of his daughter. He is also charged with maliciously setting a fire to a structure in Bristow. You can find the initial press release here. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department, and the Creek County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies.
Douglas Eugene Norris. Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Second Degree Burglary in Indian Country. Norris, 56, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Norinco, 7.62x39 mm caliber rifle. Norris has 10 previous felony convictions. Norris is also charged with breaking and entering another’s residence with the intent to commit a crime, including theft. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Shana Larena Osborne. Wire Fraud; Aggravated Identity Theft. Osborne, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with devising a scheme to defraud Sam’s Club through the unauthorized use of a stolen membership card. The Tulsa Police Department is the investigative agency.
Luis Ernesto Pando. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Pando, 22, of Borger, Texas, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration are the investigative agencies.
Sarah Michelle Presley. Sexual Contact in Indian Country. Presley, 26, is charged with having sexual contact with the victim without permission. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Bobby Ray Prouty. Indecent Exposure in Indian Country. Prouty, 43, knowingly exposed his genitals and masturbated in public. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Jarrett Wayne Raby. Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country; Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Raby, 47, of Sapulpa, is charged with assaulting a male victim by striking him with his fist and brass knuckles, resulting in serious bodily injury. The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Chase Wayne Rider. Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. Rider, 25, of Broken Arrow, is charged with knowingly sexually abusing a female victim while she was incapable of consenting to the act. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Randy Paul Shelby. Information About Bombs in Courthouse. Shelby, 40, of Sand Springs, is charged with conveying false and misleading information by making a telephone call to the Tulsa Police Department stating that another individual had planned to make a bomb and blow up the Tulsa Country Courthouse. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Thomas Jason Smith. Burglary in the Third Degree in Indian Country; Felon in Possession of Firearm. Smith, 40, of Copan, is charged with breaking and entering a pickup truck belonging to another person with intent to steal property. He is further charged with being a felon in possession of an Armsan (Tri-Star) 12 gauge, semi-automatic shotgun. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Devin Charles Staller. Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Staller, age unknown, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Montgomery Ward Savage 16 gauge, pump-action shotgun. Staller was previously convicted of 10 felonies. The FBI is the investigative agency.
Jason Robert Terry, Sr. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Terry, 44, of Tulsa, is charged with failing to register as a sex offender from May 1, 2018, to May 21, 2020. The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service are the investigative agencies.
Bobby Brian Thompson. Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner in Indian Country; Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, Dating Partner by Strangling and Attempting to Strangle or Suffocate in Indian Country; Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. Thompson, 39, of Bristow, is charged with assault by strangling, striking, throwing to the ground, and kicking a female victim. The FBI and Bristow Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Thiyagarajah Thurairajah. Assault With a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country. Thurairajah, 48, of Tulsa, is charged with assaulting a male victim with a knife. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
James Douglas Valdez. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Valdez, 38, of Tulsa, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Taurus 9mm, semi-automatic pistol and associated ammunition. Valdez was previously convicted of seven felonies. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Broken Arrow Police department are the investigative agencies.
Jerrick Lee Wadley; Story Christopher Smith. Conspiracy-Armed Robbery in Indian Country; Robbery in Indian Country. Wadley, 20, and Smith, 21, both of Tulsa, conspired to commit robbery. On Sept. 2, 2019, the defendants identified a victim and his residence as a robbery target. According to the indictment, Story forcibly entered the front door while Wadley served as lookout. Story then allegedly pointed a firearm at two victims demanding their keys, wallets, drugs and cell phones. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Craig Alan Morrison; Amanda Lyn Walker. Child Abuse in Indian Country; Enabling Child Abuse in Indian Country. Morrison, 36, of Tulsa, is charged with abusing and injuring a child. Walker, 41, of Tulsa, is charged with enabling Morrison to abuse the child. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Sean Wasson. Possession of Heroin With Intent to Distribute. Wasson, 27, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute heroin. The Drug Enforcement Administration is the investigative agency.
Johnny Ray Watson. Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute. Watson, 39, of Glenpool, is charged with knowingly possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Bixby Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Blake Clifton Williamson. Possession of an Unregistered Rifle Having a Barrel of Less Than 16 Inches in Length. Williamson is 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. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Jason Ray Willis. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Willis, 44, of Pryor, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Beretta .40 S&W caliber, semi-automatic pistol. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Devante Joe Youngblood. Felon in Possession of Firearm; Possession of an Unregistered Weapon Made From a Rifle Having a Barrel of Less Than 16 Inches in Length. Youngblood, 27, of Stroud, is charged with being a felon in possession of a Heritage Repeating Arms Co., .22LR caliber weapon made from a rifle. The firearm, made from a rifle having a barrel of less than 16 inches in length, was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Youngblood was previously convicted of six felonies. The Bristow Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are the investigative agencies.
Department of Justice Announces Funding to Promote Law Enforcement Mental Health and WellnessRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) this week announced $4.5 million in grants for the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program. These program funds are used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring mental health and wellness, and suicide prevention programs.
In the Northern District of Oklahoma, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation was awarded $125,000 for their peer support project.
“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police are an important public safety partner for all of us living in northeastern Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This funding from the Justice Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services will help the Lighthorse fulfill their mission to serve and protect. I’m proud to see the Department continuing to support tribal law enforcement.”
“As a law enforcement professional with over 50 years of experience, I know firsthand the pressures that accompany this most noble profession,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. “This Department of Justice is committed to protecting the health and wellness of a police department’s most valuable asset – the men and women that leave their homes every day with a mission to protect and serve. The grants announced today will provide departments with key mental health and wellness services.”
Two other Oklahoma entities also received funding for peer support projects. In the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Muskogee Police Department received $121, 299, and in the Western District of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City received $111,724.
Good mental and psychological health is just as essential as good physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence. As part of the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017, Congress authorized the COPS Office to establish peer mentoring mental health and wellness pilot programs within state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. The 41 awards announced today meet the goals of the 2017 Act and support the Department of Justice and the Administration’s commitment to law enforcement. The full list of awards is available here: https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/2020AwardDocs/lemhwa/Award_List.pdf.
In addition to the grants announced today, the COPS Office recently published two reports regarding officer mental health and wellness. Those reports are available here:
Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Report to Congress
Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 134,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance.
Local “Cell Head” and Two Others Plead Guilty to Drug Conspiracy in Transnational Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Three additional men pleaded guilty this week for their roles in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Jose Garcia Solis, 38; Oseil Serafin Calderon, 24; and Rudolph Gorniak, 29, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy. Garcia, a “cell head” for the trafficking organization, was sent from Mexico to northeastern Oklahoma specifically to run the operation. He was responsible for overseeing the distribution of heroin to local dealers and for the collection of drug proceeds.
The three were among more than 30 individuals indicted in 2019 for drug conspiracy and other crimes related to the cartel’s heroin operations. The prosecution resulted from Operation Smack Dragon, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation.
“Cartels and their conspirators are responsible for flooding our communities with deadly drugs. They profit hand over fist while families are torn apart by addiction and loss,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “This prosecution highlights the diligent investigative work and cooperation between federal, state, and local partners in identifying, tracking, and dismantling this drug trafficking organization. We remain committed to protecting Oklahoma’s neighborhoods and communities.”
According to court documents, the transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. The criminal organization smuggled heroin into the United States and transported the drug to storage locations in Tulsa where they prepared it for distribution throughout the United States. After preparing the heroin, the coconspirators would repackage it for distribution to mid-level distributers, who would then redistribute it to street-level dealers until it eventually found its way into the hands of customers.
“This investigation demonstrates Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) unique authorities and steadfast commitment to vigorously pursue members of transnational criminal organizations that exploit and endanger the American people,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge, HSI Dallas. “HSI will continue to use every available resource to protect communities and secure the homeland from dangerous contraband and the criminals who bring them into our country.”
“Investigations such as these cannot be successful without DEA Tulsa’s relationship with numerous law enforcement partners in Eastern Oklahoma and the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, special agent in charge, DEA Dallas Field Division. “These individuals are being held responsible for their actions. Whether it is a gram or a kilogram, heroin is poisoning our streets, and the DEA will never cease its efforts to rid these drugs from the streets of Oklahoma.”
In his Sept. 4 plea agreement, Jose Garcia Solis admitted that from November 2018 through June 2019, he knowingly conspired with others to distribute heroin. Garcia stated that he supplied heroin to numerous individuals for re-distribution, collected payment from dealers and returned the funds to the Mexican source of supply. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for Dec. 8, 2020.
On Sept. 3, 2020, Oseil Serafin Calderon pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute heroin from January 2019 through June 2019. Specifically, the defendant assisted in delivering heroin to Jose Garcia by transporting the heroin from Southern California to the northeastern Oklahoma. He also assisted in collecting drug proceeds from Garcia. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for Dec. 7, 2020.
On Sept. 2, 2020, Rudolph Gorniak pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute heroin from January 2019 through June 2019. Over the course of several weeks, Gorniak purchased quantities of heroin from defendants Alphonso Caldwell and Devin Hartzell. He purchased heroin, redistributed it to third parties, and relied on the payment from customers to purchase additional heroin. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan set sentencing for Dec. 4, 2020.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting this case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
You can find the May 2019 Indictment announcement here.
Claremore Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Claremore man was sentenced today in federal court for distribution and receipt of child pornography and for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Daniel Nathan West, 48, to 78 months in federal prison, where he will receive sex offender treatment. Judge Frizzell further ordered West to pay $12,000 in restitution to victims depicted in the videos and identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Following his prison sentence, West will spend seven years on supervised release and be required to register as a sex offender.
“The sexual exploitation of children is both despicable and criminal. Victims of child pornography are exploited time and again when explicit images of them are produced, shared, and viewed on the internet. This is why the work of investigators, prosecutors and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is so critical,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “We will never stop our duty to identify and recover victims of sexual abuse. And we will never stop pursuing criminals like Daniel West who exploit our children. We will bring them to justice for their heinous crimes.”
In his written plea agreement, West admitted that from May 17 through Dec. 17, 2019, he knowingly possessed, received and distributed child pornography using computer devices, social media applications and the internet. The files contained images of at least one prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. On his cell phone, investigators discovered 100 video files of child sexual abuse, including the rape of infants and bestiality.
West was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Nassar and Ryan Heatherman prosecuted the case.
Broken Arrow Woman Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Filing a False Tax ReturnRead the Press Release
A Broken Arrow woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for stealing $654,579 from her employer. Brandy Okey, 40, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and to signing a false tax return in March 2020.
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Okey to 41 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Court further ordered the defendant pay $654,579 in restitution.
“Brandy Okey fraudulently pocketed more than $650,000 as chief financial officer when she embezzled from the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority box office sales at Expo Square. Because of her greed, she now gets to spend more than three years in federal prison and pay back the ill-gotten funds to her employer,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “White collar criminals don’t get a pass for the financial fraud they inflict on businesses. Like all criminals, they will be met by a federal prosecutor to bring them to account for their crimes.”
In her position with Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, Okey was responsible for accounting and financial management. Okey admitted that she used her access to the Expo Square box office cash collections to take cash funds. She then deposited a portion of the embezzled cash funds into personal bank accounts for her own use. Okey further used a portion of the cash funds to directly pay for personal expenses without depositing the funds. In order to conceal her scheme, Okey shredded the original deposit slips or prepared new slips showing a lower deposit amount. To further hide her scheme, Okey admitted that she did not accurately record box office collections on TCPFA financial statements. The fraudulent statements were emailed to the company’s Board of Directors.
Okey also admitted that she made and signed a false tax return for the year 2017 when she knowingly failed to report approximately $294,450 of income acquired through the scheme that year.
The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan M. Roberts prosecuted the case.
Bristow Man Charged with the Murder of His DaughterRead the Press Release
Adam Raymond Mason, 29, of Bristow, was charged today by criminal complaint with first degree murder in Indian Country following the death of his daughter, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“The United States filed charges today alleging that a father punched, drowned, burned, and murdered his five-year-old daughter in Indian Country. This is heartbreaking. The alleged victim was set to start kindergarten next week,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Now, it is time for our criminal justice system to go to work. The FBI, ATF, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police will continue their joint investigation. By rule, the United States Attorney’s Office will present this matter to a federal Grand Jury for their consideration as to whether probable cause exists to return an indictment. If so, then Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Roberts and I will prosecute the case to the fullest extent of the law and seek to prove to a jury the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In the meantime, my team of victim specialists will work closely with the surviving family to ensure they are connected with appropriate resources as this case proceeds in federal court.”
According to court documents filed by an FBI agent, Mason, allegedly murdered his daughter on or about Aug. 25 and Aug. 26, 2020. The victim’s mother last spoke to her daughter the evening of Aug. 25 and became concerned about her daughter’s welfare when Mason allegedly refused to let her speak with her child on Aug. 26. Creek County deputies responded to 38187 West 311th St. South to check on the welfare of the girl and found the burned body of a child. Deputies took Mason into custody after they located him one mile west of his residence in Bristow.
A Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lightehorse investigator and the FBI agent interviewed Mason at the Creek County Sheriff’s Office where the defendant allegedly told the two that he believed his daughter was controlled by witchcraft. According to the affidavit, Mason then told investigators that he punched the victim, drowned her, then took her to a creek bed where he set her body on fire. Mason and his daughter are members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Mason was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and is expected to make an initial appearance today at 2 pm in U.S. District Court.
The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police, and the Creek County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Roberts are prosecuting the case.
Quapaw Man Sentenced to Life for Sexually Abusing a Child Under 12Read the Press Release
A federal judge sentenced a Quapaw man today for sexually abusing a child under 12 years of age in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Wilkie Bill Burtrum, 60, to life in prison for the aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country and to 360 months for abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 in Indian Country. Burtrum previously spent 14 years in federal prison for sexually abusing two other children.
“After repeated convictions for child molestations, a life sentence of imprisonment was the only way to protect children from this monster. I am so proud that a young victim bravely spoke up and helped us stop Burtrum from hurting any other children,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Because of a team of committed investigators, prosecutors, and victim specialists, Wilkie Burtrum was brought to justice. We stand ready to help any other child victim who may want to come forward.”
Burtrum was convicted of abusing the victim between August 2018 and October 2019. During his March trial, the prosecution contended that the defendant paid extra attention to the victim and offered him special privileges in order to gain the child’s trust. During the time the defendant and victim were together, Burtrum purposefully touched the victim sexually both over his pants and under his clothing. The child eventually confided in a relative then his father, who reported the crimes to authorities.
During the trial, an additional victim, who came forward during the investigation, also testified about abuse he suffered at the hands of Burtrum approximately five years ago. The prosecution further introduced into evidence a 1993 sexual abuse conviction, establishing a pattern of behavior by the defendant. In that case, Burtrum served 14 years in prison for four counts of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country with children under 12.
Restitution will be determined at a later hearing set for Sept. 10, 2020. Burtrum remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Quapaw Tribal Marshals Service and Miami Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shannon Cozzoni and Scott Proctor prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative. PSC combats the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse and was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. 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.
Justice Department Announces New Federal-Tribal Partnerships to Combat Domestic Violence in Oklahoma and Other StatesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced today that it will dedicate $2,250,000 to continue a successful approach among tribal and federal authorities to hold violent offenders accountable for crimes they commit in Indian Country. U.S. Attorneys Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma, U.S. Attorney Brian Kuester for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and U.S. Attorney Timothy Downing of the Western District of Oklahoma helped make the announcement for at a press conference in Tulsa.
The Tribal Special Assistant United States Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Initiative, financed through a partnership between OVW and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), trains cross-deputized tribal prosecutors in federal law and procedure and investigative strategies so they can pursue domestic or sexual violence cases in tribal court, federal court, or both. “A victim’s safety and freedom from her abuser should not hinge on the jurisdictional boundaries around the crime scene. These new awards continue the Department’s commitment to equipping tribal prosecutors with the tools they need to curb domestic violence no matter where it occurs,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Laura Rogers.
Owing to the funds contributed by BJA, the five tribes receiving SAUSA awards have enhanced resources to prosecute not only domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases, but also other serious offenses including homicides, robberies, and cybercrimes. The recipient tribes are:
• Chickasaw Nation (Western District of Oklahoma)
• Southern Ute Tribe (District of Colorado)
• Pueblo of Laguna (District of New Mexico)
• Oglala Sioux Tribe (District of South Dakota)
• Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (Southern District of Mississippi)
“The rate of violent victimization is staggeringly high in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We have to do more to bring this rate down and make more justice solutions available to our tribal partners. The new SAUSA awards are a big step in that direction,” remarked R. Trent Shores, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma and Co-Chair of the Native American Issues Subcommittee.
“Working closely with the Chickasaw Nation to ensure justice is served for crimes committed on Chickasaw land is a priority for my office,” said Timothy J. Downing, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. “These new grant funds fill help fill critical resource gaps, ensuring we can take a robust approach to safeguarding victims and their families from further harm.”
“Prosecuting domestic abusers before their violence turns lethal is critical to ensuring victims can survive the harm done to them, but so too are services that support victims’ recovery. Those services are what these grant funds provide,” noted Brian J. Kuester, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The SAUSA project with the Chickasaw Nation is part of a $12 million grants package that OVW will award this year to bolster efforts in Oklahoma to combat domestic violence, which has reportedly increased in Tulsa and Oklahoma City in recent months. This new funding will reach rural and tribal communities throughout the state that also struggle with a growing need for justice solutions and victim services. Other specific grants are as follows:
Specific grants to Tulsa County and City of Tulsa:
• A $449,948 grant to the Tulsa County District Court to establish a docket for monitoring compliance among domestic violence offenders, and develop policies and training for court personnel and community partners on firearms surrender following a domestic violence conviction or issuance of a final protection order.
• A $750,000 award to the City of Tulsa to support domestic violence investigations, victim-witness services, and a new, specialized domestic violence prosecution unit.
The City of Tulsa, whose work OVW is proud to support again this year, recently reported that its grant funding has been critical to addressing high-risk domestic violence cases, fostering coordination among prosecutors and law enforcement on evidence collection, and connecting victims to advocates who can help them navigate the justice process and obtain services to help them rebuild their lives. Recognizing that ending domestic violence in Oklahoma requires partnerships among federal, tribal, and local justice agencies, OVW is pleased to invest in collaborative strategies that put safety in reach for victims in cities and on reservations throughout the state.
Specific grants to Oklahoma Tribes:
• A $407,000 grant to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe to update its tribal codes, policies, and procedures in preparation for exercising special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction under the Violence Against Women Act.
• Over $3 million under OVW’s Tribal Governments Program is slated to go to four tribes in Oklahoma—the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Pawnee Nation, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Delaware Tribe of Indians—to support coordinated community responses to violence against women.
Other awards that will be issued to organizations and government agencies in Oklahoma include:
• A $597,849 grant to the Native Alliance Against Violence, in Norman, to provide legal services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in tribal communities. This organization will also receive $353,615 in formula funding to provide education, support, and technical assistance to tribes and tribal victim services providers.
• A $243,619 grant to the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to coordinate victim services and collaborate with federal, state, and local entities on addressing violence against women in Oklahoma.
• $2,019,340 in formula funds that support law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services providers, and courts in working collaboratively to respond to domestic and sexual violence.
Three Men Plead Guilty to Drug Conspiracy in Transnational Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Three men have pleaded guilty this week for their roles in a heroin trafficking operation with ties to Mexico’s New Generation Cartel, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
The three were among more than 30 individuals indicted for drug conspiracy and other crimes related to the cartel’s operations. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores announced the initial indictment at a press conference held in May 2019. The investigation was given the name Operation Smack Dragon.
“Operation Smack Dragon successfully disrupted and dismantled a drug trafficking organization pushing heroin onto our streets. Today, three more conspirators have admitted their guilt and will soon be headed to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Joel-lyn McCormick, lead attorney for my Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit, and our dedicated law enforcement partners relentlessly pursue justice for families and communities devastated by the illegal drug trade. Heroin and other illicit opioids remain a problem in our country. We will continue the fight to keep them out of Oklahoma.”
“Investigations such as these cannot be successful without DEA Tulsa’s partnership of our numerous law enforcement partners in Eastern Oklahoma and the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, special agent in charge DEA Dallas Field Division. “These individuals are being held responsible for their actions. Whether it is a gram or a kilogram, heroin is poisoning our streets and we remain steadfast in our commitment to rid these drugs from the streets of Oklahoma.”
“This successful joint investigation is a great example of what impactful partnerships and close coordination can result in,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge Homeland Security Investigations Dallas. “HSI will always prioritize eliminating threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and will partner with anybody who shares that commitment!"
Alphonso Caldwell, 27, of Tulsa, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Caldwell admitted that from November 2017 to June 2019 he possessed with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. Caldwell stated that he purchased ½ kilogram to 1 kilogram of heroin multiple times per week from both Jose Garcia and Edson Garcia-Velasquez. Caldwell purchased the heroin and redistributed it to third parties who redistributed the heroin to others. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin. Caldwell is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan on Dec. 1, 2020.
David Diaz, 32, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Diaz stated that he knowingly conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin from January 2018 to June 2019. Diaz admitted to purchasing 100 grams or more of heroin for another person and redistributing it to third parties. He relied on customers’ payments to purchase additional heroin. Diaz is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan on Dec. 2, 2020.
Preston Wilson, 28, pleaded guilty, on Aug. 17, 2020, to drug conspiracy. In his written plea, Wilson stated that he knowingly conspired with others to possess heroin with the intent to distribute from January 2018 to June 2019. During this time, he admitted to purchasing heroin from Devin Hartzell to redistribute to third parties. Wilson also admitted that he relied on the payments from his customers to purchase additional heroin. Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan on Nov. 23, 2020.
According to the Indictment, the alleged transnational criminal organization’s hierarchy had clearly defined roles, as leaders from Mexico supplied heroin to the Tulsa “cell heads.” These “cell heads” were originally from Mexico but lived in Tulsa. Stille Giovanni Gutierrez Vivanco, allegedly directed, from Mexico, the overall drug trafficking operations in Tulsa by delegating responsibilities for the import and distribution of the heroin and for the movement of the proceeds from heroin sales. The criminal organization smuggled heroin into the United States and transported the drug to storage locations in Tulsa where they prepared it for distribution throughout the United States. After preparing the heroin, the coconspirators would repackage it for distribution to mid-level distributers, who would then redistribute it to street-level dealers until it eventually found its way into the hands of customers.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation; the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office; and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting this case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
You can find the May 2019 Indictment announcement here.