Justice News

Adair County Resident Sentenced To 12 Years For Kidnapping And Federal Firearm Crimes

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announces that Justin Kyle Muskrat, age 38, of Bunch, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 151 months imprisonment for one count of Kidnapping in Indian Country, and 120 months for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The counts were ordered to run concurrently. On September 11, 2023, Muskrat pleaded guilty to kidnapping and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to investigators, on March 15, 2023, Muskrat, armed with a machete, forced the victim from a Muskogee residence and into the trunk of a waiting car. At an Adair County residence, Muskrat bound, threatened, and brutally assaulted the victim. Muskrat released the victim only after learning that Adair County Sheriff’s deputies had identified Muskrat as the primary suspect in the kidnapping. At the time of Muskrat’s arrest, law enforcement discovered Muskrat knowingly in possession of a .380 semi-automatic pistol and multiple rounds of ammunition despite a prior conviction for a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.

Tahlequah Resident Sentenced To Life In Prison For First Degree Murder

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Isaac Newman Sockey, age 39, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder stemming from a fatal knife attack on September 8, 2023, at a Tahlequah residence. Sockey was found guilty of one count of First Degree Murder in Indian Country on December 12, 2023, following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Sentencing was held July 10, 2024. According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, on the day of the murder, Sockey retrieved a butterfly knife from his bedroom, placed the knife to the victim’s throat, and threatened the victim in response to a verbal insult. The victim pushed the knife away and attempted to disarm Sockey. Sockey then stabbed the victim more than twenty times, including in the neck, head, and torso. Despite life-saving measures, the victim died from injuries sustained in the attack.

Ardmore Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Charge

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Pete Allen Knight, Jr., age 40, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 47 months in prison for one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. On December 18, 2023, Knight pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. According to investigators, on July 17, 2023, Knight knowingly possessed a firearm and 45 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.

Stilwell Resident Pleads Guilty To Possessing Material Involving The Sexual Exploitation Of Minors

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Geoff Edward Luethje, age 46, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, entered a plea of guilty to one-count of Possession of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The Indictment alleged that between April and August of 2023, Luethje knowingly possessed, and accessed with an intent to view, visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including depictions of children under the age of twelve.

Eastern District U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Christopher J. Wilson, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, joined national, state, local, and Tribal leaders today in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Since 2006, WEAAD has been commemorated to promote awareness and increases understanding of the many forms of elder abuse as well as the resources available to those at risk. Highlighting the partnership between law enforcement and the public, U.S. Attorney Wilson emphasized the importance of awareness and education. “Fraud, financial exploitation, and elder abuse are each uniquely devastating to a senior’s well-being and independence,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to combatting the many forms of elder abuse, and to educating and equipping seniors, together with their family and friends, on how to recognize and avoid common schemes and patterns of abuse.” Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse.

Poteau Resident Sentenced For Murder In Indian Country

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christian Scott Dunham, age 22, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison for the August 2022 killing of his neighbor. On February 13, 2023, Dunham pleaded guilty to Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree. According to investigators, in the early morning hours of August 20, 2022, Dunham shot and killed the victim with a .22 caliber revolver.

Three Members Of Drug Enterprise Sentenced For Federal Drug Crimes

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that three Oklahoma residents, ROBERT JAMES JACKSON, age 31, of Hugo, ANDRE CIMONE GOLSTON, age 35, of Idabel, and ANTWAINE TREMAINE NELSON, age 33, of Idabel, were sentenced for federal drug charges. Jackson was sentenced to 168 months in prison for one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Golston was sentenced to 48 months in prison for one count of Use of a Communication Facility, and Nelson was sentenced to 46 months in prison for one count of Use of a Communication Facility. On September 22, 2022, Golston pleaded guilty to one count of Use of a Communication Facility. On October 13, 2022, Nelson pleaded guilty to one count of Use of a Communication Facility. On October 19, 2022, Jackson pleaded guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine. According to investigators, Jackson, Golston, and Nelson participated in a scheme to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Oklahoma from the spring of 2020 until approximately October 2021.

Westville Couple Sentenced For Sexual Assault And Coercion And Enticement Of A Minor In Indian Country

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that a Westville, Oklahoma, couple were sentenced for sexual offenses they committed against minors in Indian country. Robert Lee Catron, age 36, was sentenced on June 11, 2024, to 30 years in prison for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. According to investigators, between 2020 and 2022, Catron sexually assaulted a child he knew to be under the age of 12. Jenny Marie Locust, age 39, was sentenced on June 4, 2024, to 10 years in prison for one count of Enticement and Coercion of a Minor. According to investigators, between 2021 and 2022, Locust used her cell phone to entice and coerce a child under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with her boyfriend, Robert Lee Catron. Both Catron and Locust will be required to register and comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act upon release.

Pontotoc County Resident Pleads Guilty To Assault In Indian Country

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Brenden Kaleb Rains, age 25, of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The Indictment against Rains alleged that on August 29, 2023, Rains attacked an individual with a dangerous weapon, intending to do harm, and caused that individual serious bodily injury.

Ada Resident Pleads Guilty To Assault With A Dangerous Weapon

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announces that Curtis Ray McClendon, III, age 41, of Ada, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. On January 9, 2024, McClendon was indicted on the charge. The Government Indictment alleged that on November 6, 2023, McClendon assaulted the victim with a dangerous weapon, with intent to do bodily harm.

Jerry Wayne Asbill Sentenced To Life In Prison For Aggravated Sexual Abuse

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jerry Wayne Asbill, age 42, of Adair County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. The terms will be served concurrently. On May 10, 2023, a federal jury convicted Asbill on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse. At trial, the Government presented evidence that in November of 2018, Asbill sexually assaulted a child he knew to be under the age of 12.

Catoosa Resident Sentenced To 15 Years For Violent Assault Against Intimate Partner