Five Sentenced to Domestic Violence Charges During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October marks the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced that five individuals were sentenced this week in federal court to domestic violence charges.

Justin Samuel Barzellone, 43, of Tulsa, plead guilty on June 3, 2022, to assault of an intimate/dating partner by strangling and suffocating in Indian Country. U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced Barzellone to 37 months followed by 3 years of supervised release. In his plea agreement, Barzellone stated that he was arguing with his fiancé and placed his arm around her neck and squeezed to prevent her from breathing. He further stated that he hit her several times and slammed her head against a sliding glass door. Barzellone is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Buscemi prosecuted the case.

Patrick Ethan Brashers, 42, of Chelsea, plead guilty on June 9, 2022, to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country, and one count of assault by striking, beating, and wounding.  U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced Brashers to 20 months followed by 3 years of supervised release. In his plea agreement Brashers, admitted to stomping and breaking the kneecap of his victim in front of their child. In a separate incident, Brashers admittingly pushed down his victim in front of their children and put his foot on her back, pushing her down again. Brashers is a member of the Cherokee Nation. The FBI, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, and Chelsea Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Buscemi and Julie Childress prosecuted the case.

Bryant Sosa Chavez-Danillo, 24, of Tulsa, plead guilty on July 15, 2022, to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country. U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced Chavez-Danillo to 36 months followed by 3 years of supervised release. In his plea agreement, Chavez-Danillo stated that he was arguing with the victim in a vehicle. The victim attempted to leave the vehicle and he wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her back into the vehicle. He further stated that he stabbed the victim in the abdomen. The victim is a member of Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shakema Onias, Michael Harder, and Julie Childress prosecuted the case.

Jared Wayne Williams, 34, of Sand Springs, plead guilty on September 14, 2022, to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse by force and threat in Indian County and two counts of child neglect in Indian Country. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil sentenced Williams to 180 months.  Following his release from prison, Williams is required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to lifetime supervision. Judge Heil further ordered Williams to pay $1,863.44 in restitution. In his plea agreement, Williams admitted that on 2 separate occasions he sexually assaulted the mother of his children. He further stated that other physical and sexual assaults took place in front of minor children. Williams is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The FBI, Bixby Police Department, and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Jiang and Stacey Todd prosecuted the case.

Samuel Aaronson Ragster, 31, of Tulsa, plead guilty on July 15, 2022, to one count of assault of an intimate/dating partner by strangling and suffocating in Indian Country, and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced Ragster to 78 months followed by 3 years of supervised release. In court documents, Ragster admitted that he grabbed his victim by her throat and slammed her into a bookcase. She suffered significant puncture wounds in her back which required surgical staples to close. He then threw her on the bed and strangled her. The victim is a member of the Cherokee Nation. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Briden prosecuted the case.

Every October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) renews our commitment to addressing and preventing domestic violence. Domestic violence, dating violence, and intimate partner violence can have long-lasting impacts and consequences. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes; however, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people, and people with disabilities. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.

“Domestic violence affects us all personally in some way,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “And we who serve as federal prosecutors for the Northern District of Oklahoma have a duty to use all the tools at our disposal—and leverage our partnerships with local law enforcement and prosecutors—to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice.”

As part of its monthlong observance of DVAM, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Oklahoma is proud to announce that the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded $1,125,000 to the Northern District to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

• OVW awarded $575,000 to the City of Tulsa under the Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Assistance Program (Rural Program) to support programs by local government, community-based organizations, and medical providers in rural areas to improve the safety of survivors.
   
• OVW awarded $550,000 to Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc. (DVIS) under the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program (Transitional Housing Program) to support programs that provide 6 to 24 months of transitional housing or housing assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson joins the U.S. Department of Justice in commemorating DVAM, paying tribute to victims and survivors, and saluting the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers, and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors.

Facing domestic violence? Find support in your state through @OVWJustice's Local Resources:
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources.