Wesley Wayne Hunter Jr., a former Canadian County Deputy, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation. The sentence was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Hunter, aged 29 and from Yukon, Oklahoma, was charged with the destruction, alteration, or falsification of records.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). On June 5, 2024, Hunter pleaded guilty to deactivating the mobile tracking system on his work phone on July 20, 2023. At that time, he was transporting a pretrial detainee from Bryan County to Canadian County and diverted from the transport route. During his plea hearing in June, Hunter admitted to these actions intending to conceal future investigations into his misconduct.
FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Sonia Garcia stated, “The FBI will not stand by when a law enforcement official abuses the authority entrusted to them. We will continue to hold accountable any public servant who fails the community they were sworn to protect.”
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson commented on Hunter's actions: “Wesley Wayne Hunter Jr. betrayed his employer, his community, and his oath by engaging in misconduct against a detainee and attempting to conceal his acts.” He praised the efforts of multiple agencies involved in bringing justice: “Today, thanks to the diligent work of the FBI, the OSBI, the DOJ Civil Rights Division, and Eastern District prosecutors.”
The sentencing hearing took place under U.S. District Judge John D. Russell at Muskogee's United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Until transportation arrangements are made for him to serve his non-paroleable sentence at a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility, Hunter remains under U.S. Marshals Service custody.
Representing the United States were Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Richard Lorenz along with Trial Attorney Laura Gilson from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.
