Convicted Felon Fired Weapon At Okmulgee County Deputy During High-Speed Pursuit
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Dustin Kyle Marris, age 33, of Okemah, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(3), 1151, and 1153; Use, Carry, Brandish and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii); Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C); and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The defendant was acquitted on one count of Assault with Intent to Kill in Indian Country.
The jury trial began with testimony on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, and concluded on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, with the guilty verdicts. Based on the jury’s verdicts, the defendant is facing over ten years of imprisonment.
The United States presented evidence that on or about November 9, 2020, the victim, a deputy with the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the defendant for speeding. The defendant failed to comply, fled from the victim, and reached speeds over 100 miles per hour. Shortly after the pursuit began, the defendant leaned out the driver’s side door, pointed a handgun at the victim, and fired 3-4 shots. The defendant, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Within a few minutes, the defendant crashed his car into a ditch and fled on foot. Law enforcement pursued the defendant but was unable to locate him. The following day, officers located and arrested the defendant. During a search of the defendant, officers found four baggies of methamphetamine weighing 49.38 grams.
The guilty verdicts resulted from an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the defendant in this case is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Marris was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Nathaniel Walters and Department of Justice Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section Trial Attorney Brian Lynch represented the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
