A Tulsa man, Jamalo Keon Bruner, Jr., 25, was arrested after being indicted on a federal charge of First Degree Felony Murder in Indian Country. Bruner is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
According to the indictment, the incident occurred in October 2019 when Bruner allegedly attempted to rob or burglarize an individual. During this event, Benjamin Montgomery, 22 years old, was killed.
The Tulsa Police Department has been investigating the case since 2019. Two other individuals who are not Native American have also been charged with first-degree felony murder in state court related to Montgomery’s death.
Due to Bruner’s tribal status and following the McGirt decision—which clarified jurisdictional boundaries for crimes involving Native Americans—the FBI is now collaborating with local authorities on the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric O. Johnston and Tyson McCoy are leading the prosecution.
“An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
