Two Individuals Indicted In July 2018 Federal Grand Jury

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the July 2018 Federal Grand Jury.

The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury.  A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt.  A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court.  Federal prison sentences are non-parolable.

DONALD LEE BLACKBIRD, age 59, of Vian, Oklahoma
Sexual Abuse Of A Minor
Attempted Sexual Abuse Of A Minor
Abusive Sexual Contact With A Minor

The Indictment alleges that between on or about December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2015, the exact date unknown to the Grand Jury, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Indian Country on an allotment, the title to which had not yet been extinguished, the defendant, DONALD LEE BLACKBIRD, an Indian, did knowingly engage in a sexual act as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2246(2), with S.B., a person who has attained the age of 12 years, but has not attained the age of 16 years and was at least four years younger than defendant, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1153, 2243(a) and 2246, punishable by not more than 15 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.  

The Indictment further alleges that on or about April 3, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Indian Country on an allotment, the title to which had not yet been extinguished, the defendant, DONALD LEE BLACKBIRD, an Indian, did knowingly attempt to engage in a sexual act as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2246(2), with S.B., a person who has attained the age of 12 years, but has not attained the age of 16 years and was at least four years younger than defendant, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1153, 2243(a) and 2246, punishable by not more than 15 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.  

The Indictment further alleges that on or about April 3, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Indian Country on an allotment, the title to which had not yet been extinguished, the defendant, DONALD LEE BLACKBIRD, an Indian, did knowingly engage in sexual contact as defined in Title 18, Untied States Code, Section 2246(3), with S.B., a person who has attained the age of 12 years, but has not attained the age of 16 years and was at least four years younger than defendant, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1153, 2244(a)(3) and 2246, punishable by not more than 2 years imprisonment.  

The charges arose from an investigation by the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington

ERICKSON CLAY WARD, age 57, of Eufaula, Oklahoma
Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine
Possession With Intent To Distribute Marijuana
Possession Of Firearm In Furtherance Of Drug Trafficking Crime

The Indictment alleges that on or about May 3, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, ERICKSON CLAY WARD, did knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(B), punishable by not less than 5, nor more than 40 years imprisonment, a fine up to $5,000,000.00 or both.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about May 3, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, ERICKSON CLAY WARD, did knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D), punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about May 3, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, ERICKSON CLAY WARD, did knowingly possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, as alleged in Counts One and Two, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), punishable by not less than 5 years imprisonment to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Wilson