U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal jury in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has convicted Denzil Austin Berryman, 38, of aggravated sexual abuse by force and threat in Indian Country and assault of an intimate/dating partner by strangling and suffocating in Indian Country.
U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson commented on the case, stating, "The victim courageously testified about this horrible act against her. I want to thank her and the prosecution team for bringing Mr. Berryman to justice."
The incident occurred in June 2023 when Berryman was at the victim's apartment. According to testimony, Berryman became angry upon seeing gummy bears he believed were a gift from someone else. The victim reported that Berryman yelled at her, damaged property in the apartment, and threatened harm to her cat.
Further testimony revealed that Berryman forced the victim into a bedroom where he began sexually assaulting her. Despite her protests and pleas for him to stop, Berryman proceeded to strangle her until she lost consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, she found herself being forcibly raped by Berryman.
Berryman is identified as a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He was previously released on bond but has now been taken into custody pending sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Tulsa Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Ihler and Stephen Scaife prosecuting the case.
