Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - A federal court jury deliberated only about three hours today before finding IVAN BENNETT WILLIS, 22, from Choctaw, Mississippi, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.
According to evidence presented at trial, on Sept. 22, 2013, Willis forcibly raped a minor female victim in a home in the White Eagle Indian community in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The trial lasted three days and the jury deliberated approximately three hours before finding Willis guilty. At sentencing, Willis faces a prison sentence of up to life in prison. A sentencing date will be set by the court in approximately 90 days.
These charges are the result of an investigation and efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Choctaw Police Department, and the Ponca Tribal Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rozia McKinney Foster.
Reference is made to court filings for further information.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
