Indian Country Law and Justice News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys   You are subscribed to Indian Country Law and Justice news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Okfuskee County Residents Sentenced For Child Abuse, Child Neglect, And Maiming 05/29/2025 08:00 AM EDT MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Daniel Levi Magness, age 36, of Okemah, Oklahoma, and Joanna Lee Higgins, age 33, of Okemah, Oklahoma, were sentenced for charges relating to child abuse and neglect.Magness was sentenced to 220 months in prison for two counts of Child Abuse in Indian Country and one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country. Magness was also sentenced to 63 months for one count of Maiming in Indian Country and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  The Court ordered the terms to be served concurrently for a total of 220 months.  Magness entered a guilty plea to the charges on October 15, 2024.Higgins was sentenced to 140 months in prison for one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country.  Higgins pleaded guilty to the charge on November 12, 2024. Latimer County Resident Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Sexual Abuse Of A Minor 05/29/2025 08:00 AM EDT MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Garret James Walkos, age 25, of Red Oak, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, punishable by thirty years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.The Indictment alleged that beginning in June 2023 and continuing until March 2024, Walkos knowingly engaged and attempted to engage in a sexual act with a minor who had not attained the age of 12 years. Ardmore Resident Sentenced For Felony Assault 05/28/2025 08:00 AM EDT MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Richard Alan Chastain, age 53, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country.On December 16, 2024, Chastain pleaded guilty to the charge.  According to investigators, on July 17, 2024, Chastain attacked an individual at his encampment in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  Chastain chased the victim beyond the boundaries of the encampment, striking the victim multiple times with a machete.  The victim fled but sustained serious injuries, including severe cuts to his limbs and a severed thumb.  Law enforcement responding to an emergency call found the victim unconscious near the railroad tracks and a trail of blood leading back to the encampment. Latimer County Resident Pleads Guilty To Second Degree Murder In Indian Country 05/28/2025 08:00 AM EDT MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Willard Leroy Robbins, Jr., aka Bub, age 41, of Wilburton, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information charging him with one count of Murder in Indian Country - Second Degree, punishable by up to life in prison.The Information alleged that on April 10, 2024, Robbins unlawfully killed the victim with malice aforethought. Ardmore Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge 05/28/2025 08:00 AM EDT MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nezjoneil Nikkolo Marris, age 28, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, punishable by 10 years to life in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.The Indictment alleged that on March 26, 2022, Marris knowingly used, carried, brandished, and discharged a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 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