Hammon Man Charged with Murder in Indian Country

OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal grand jury has charged TOMMY DEAN BULLCOMING, 54, of Hammon, Oklahoma, with first-degree murder in Indian Country, announced Robert J. Troester, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

A five-count indictment unsealed today charges Bullcoming with five crimes he allegedly committed on September 6, 2017: first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree felony murder, carjacking resulting in death, kidnapping resulting in death, and arson.  The indictment states he "used force, violence, and intimidation to intentionally take a Lexus RX300" from an Indian and that this resulted in her death.  It further alleges he killed the victim "by stabbing and cutting her with a sharp object" and acted "in an especially heinous, cruel, and depraved manner in that the offense involved torture and serious physical abuse."  The arson count alleges he maliciously set fire to the victim’s dwelling in Hammon.

If convicted of carjacking resulting in death, Bullcoming could face the death penalty.  The Attorney General of the United States will decide whether to seek the death penalty based on the recommendation of the U.S. Attorney and after carefully considering the defendant’s background and the circumstances of the crime.  If convicted of first-degree murder, felony murder, or kidnapping resulting in death, Bullcoming would face mandatory life in prison.  The death penalty is not available for these offenses because federal jurisdiction is based on allegations they took place in Indian Country, and the relevant tribe has not opted in to the death penalty for those subject to its jurisdiction.  The maximum punishment for arson would be 25 years in prison.

The public is reminded these charges are merely accusations and that Bullcoming is presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a unanimous jury.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark R. Stoneman and Arvo Q. Mikkanen are prosecuting the case.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.