USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys   You are subscribed to USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Seminole Resident Sentenced For Involuntary Manslaughter And Federal Drug And Firearms Crimes 12/01/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Mr Lee Benton, a/k/a Mister Lee Benton, a/k/a Lee Benton, age 39, of Seminole, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a total of 144 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter and federal drug and firearms charges. Benton was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment on one count of Involuntary Manslaughter, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  Those sentences will be served concurrently.  Benton was also sentenced to a consecutive 60 months of imprisonment for one count of Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime. On February 18, 2022, Benton pleaded guilty to all four charges.  According to investigators, on November 24, 2020, while driving a pickup truck under the influence of methamphetamine, Benton failed to stop for a sedan signaling a left turn in the lane ahead.  Benton crashed into the back of the sedan.  The force of the impact propelled the sedan off the road, causing it to collide with a guardrail and overturn, killing a backseat passenger.  Benton admitted to OHP troopers that he had used methamphetamine prior to the collision, and consented to a blood draw that confirmed the presence of the drug in his system.  Troopers questioning Benton observed a pistol on the driver's side floorboard and subsequently discovered 55 grams of methamphetamine intended for distribution in the vehicle.  At the plea hearing, Benton, already a convicted felon at the time of the accident, admitted he had the firearm with him in the truck for the express purpose of protecting his drug business, and that on the date of the collision he knew he was prohibited from gun possession due to his prior felony conviction. Quinton Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Crime 12/01/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Eugene Lee Dozier, age 46, of Quinton, Oklahoma, was sentenced for unlawfully transferring a handgun to an out-of-state resident.  Dozier was sentenced to 6 months in prison, 18 months of supervised release, and 30 hours of community service. On December 6, 2022, Dozier pleaded guilty to the charge.  According to investigators, on June 29, 2021, Dozier, who did not possess a Federal Firearms License, transferred a handgun to a person he knew was not an Oklahoma resident, a violation of federal law. Ardmore Resident Sentenced For Felony Assault And Federal Firearms Offense 12/01/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeremy Kurt Lewis, Jr., age 26, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to concurrent terms of 108 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and 108 months in prison for possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. On October 12, 2022, Lewis pleaded guilty to the charges.  According to investigators, on May 6, 2021, Lewis beat the victim with his hands and a belt and obstructed the victim's airway with a rag.  While investigating the assault, officers found Lewis, a convicted felon, in possession of a firearm. While in custody for the May 6th assault, Lewis assaulted a jail officer during a failed escape attempt.  Lewis subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit a felony in that separate case and was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment.  The terms of imprisonment in the separate cases will be served consecutively. Ardmore Resident Sentenced For Felony Assault 12/01/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jeremy Kurt Lewis, Jr., age 26, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for assault with intent to commit a felony.  This sentence will run consecutively to a separate sentence of 108 months for felony assault and a firearm offense imposed in another case. On October 12, 2022, Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit a felony.  According to investigators, on May 29, 2021, while in custody for an unrelated felony assault and federal firearm offense, Lewis assaulted a jail officer during a failed escape attempt. Lewis subsequently pleaded guilty to the prior felony assault and federal firearm offense and has since been sentenced in that case.  The terms of imprisonment in the separate cases will be served consecutively. Sallisaw Resident Sentenced For Sexual Abuse Offenses 11/30/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jerry Dewayne Rogers, age 61, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, and 180 months in prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.  The sentences run concurrently. On April 20, 2022, after a three-day trial, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country, three counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country, and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.  During the trial, the United States presented evidence that over the course of five years, Rogers sexually abused a child under the age of twelve at the time of the crimes.   Holdenville Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge 11/30/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christopher Bryant Dilbeck, age 27, of Holdenville, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Indictment charging him with Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Thirteen Defendants Named In Federal Drug Conspiracy Indictment 11/29/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – On November 13, 2023, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Oklahoma returned an indictment charging thirteen individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, announced Christopher J. Wilson, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Indictment alleges that beginning in or about August 2022 and continuing until on or about the date of the indictment, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendants willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to commit offenses against the United States, namely the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Calera Resident Sentenced To Life For Aggravated Sexual Abuse In Indian Country 11/28/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lance Keith Maytubby, Sr., age 55, of Calera, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in prison after a federal jury found him guilty of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Maytubby sexually assaulted two victims who were each under 12 years of age at the time of the crimes. Ardmore Resident Sentenced For Involuntary Manslaughter 11/28/2023 07:00 AM EST MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jonathan Ray Higginbotham, Jr., age 23, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for one count of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. On May 18, 2022, Higginbotham was found guilty by a federal jury at trial of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.  At trial, the United States presented evidence that on January 19, 2021, Higginbotham fired a 9mm Hi-Point carbine, hitting an Ardmore resident.  EMS responders transported the victim to an area hospital where he later died of his injuries.  Higginbotham fled and was apprehended on September 23, 2021. You have received this e-mail because you have asked to be notified of changes to the Offices of the United States Attorneys website. GovDelivery is providing this service on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20530 · 202-514-2000 and may not use your subscription information for any other purposes. Manage your Subscriptions | Department of Justice Privacy Policy  | GovDelivery Privacy Policy Follow the Offices of the United States Attorneys on Twitter: @USAttorneys