A Tulsa man has been sentenced after admitting to strangling his girlfriend, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Donny Ray Spencer, 36, received a sentence of 56 months in prison for Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling and Suffocating in Indian Country. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell also ordered three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
The incident occurred in July 2025 when Spencer, who was reportedly heavily intoxicated, fell and reopened stitches on his head. A relative called 911 for medical help. According to court records, Spencer became belligerent with medical personnel, prompting them to wait for police assistance before continuing treatment.
When officers arrived at the scene, they were met by Spencer’s girlfriend and their three-year-old child on the front porch. While speaking with her, Spencer approached the officers while yelling and making threats. Officers de-escalated the situation and continued questioning the girlfriend about visible bruises on her body. She told officers that earlier that day, during an argument with Spencer while he was intoxicated, he strangled her and struck her with a broom in front of their child.
Tribal court records indicated that Spencer had a pending arrest warrant due to failing to appear at a hearing. He was out on bond after being charged in April with Domestic Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon as well as Felony Resisting Arrest. Officers arrested him based on these outstanding tribal warrants.
While being transported for booking, Spencer admitted to strangling his girlfriend.
Spencer is identified as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody until he is transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Flynn prosecuted the matter.
