Jeffrey Brent Thomas, a 48-year-old resident of McAlester, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury on March 10 of three counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact in Indian Country, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The case is significant as it involves serious charges related to the sexual abuse of minors within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation. The verdict highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address crimes committed in Indian Country.
Testimony during the trial revealed that between January 1, 2020, and January 16, 2021, Thomas sexually abused a child under the age of twelve and also abused two other minor children. The offenses took place in Pittsburg County within the Choctaw Nation Reservation.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office. The trial was presided over by Senior Judge Ronald A. White at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee.
Thomas faces sentences ranging from up to life imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 for each count. He will remain in custody pending sentencing after completion of a presentence report. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Emily Wittlinger prosecuted the case.
