Fort Gibson Man Pleads Guilty To Theft In Indian Country

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that JIMMY DEWAYNE WHEAT, age 39, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, pled guilty to EMBEZZLEMENT AND THEFT IN INDIAN COUNTRY, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 661 and 1152, punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment, and up to a $100,000 fine.

The Information alleged that on or about December 7, 2015, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, within Indian Country, the defendant, JIMMY DEWAYNE WHEAT, a non-Indian, did take and carry away, with the intent to steal and purloin, an air compressor, a hammer, a roofing hammer, bottle jacks, ten screwdrivers, two nail bars and gloves, with a value less than $1000.00, which were the personal property of a Native American Indian.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Shelly Harrison represented the United States.