Tulsa Man Who Strangled and Assaulted Elderly Relative Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

A man who strangled and assaulted an elderly female relative was sentenced this week in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Matthew Alan Joseph, 39, of Tulsa, to 10 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

“Far too many families struggle with the immediate and long-lasting trauma associated with domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Every day, federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Oklahoma fight for justice on behalf of domestic violence victims. I am proud of their commitment to ensuring perpetrators of abuse are held accountable and families are kept safe.”

Joseph was charged in an indictment with being a felon in possession of the firearm and ammunition on Dec. 21, 2019, and with kidnapping the female relative, assaulting her using a knife, strangling the woman, and stealing her car on March 20, 2020. Joseph pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted to bringing a Colt .45 caliber pistol into a bar on South Peoria Avenue in Tulsa, and to having two rounds of ammunition and a magazine in his car. When calculating the sentence, Judge Frizzell took into consideration both the firearms conviction as well as the violent acts committed against the woman.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven J. Briden and Jessica L. Wright prosecuted the case.

To learn about domestic violence related resources and to speak with an advocate, victims can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline:  1-800-799-SAFE,  www.thehotline.org. Native American or Alaska Native victims can also call StrongHearts Native Helpline 1-844-7Native or www.strongheartshelpline.org. Learn more here.

For emergency services, call 911.