Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A federal jury in Tulsa has convicted Kaleb Scott Smith, 34, of Nowata and a member of the Osage Nation, on charges of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor in Indian Country.
The case began when a 14-year-old reported to her parent in September 2024 that Smith had sexually abused her. The parents provided law enforcement with a photo showing the minor and Smith under a blanket, with his arm around her and his hand on her upper thigh. They also handed over the child's cellphone for investigation.
Testimony during the trial included an account from the minor victim describing an incident where she stayed overnight at Smith’s house with his daughter while he celebrated his birthday in July 2024. She said Smith flipped the waistband of her clothing and touched her buttocks. The next morning, she testified that Smith showed her a nude photo of himself.
Both Smith’s daughter and the minor victim described another event at a casino hotel room. According to their testimony, they were watching videos when Smith laid down with them, cuddled with the minor under a blanket, and rubbed his crotch against her back. After moving to another bed, the victim said Smith followed and repeated this behavior.
A third incident involved all three girls—Smith’s daughter, the minor victim, and their friend—staying overnight at his home in September 2024. Testimony indicated that Smith was found on top of the minor victim by one of the friends who opened the bedroom door after hearing giggling. Later that night, evidence showed further abuse occurred when Smith called the minor back into his bedroom. A DNA expert confirmed both individuals’ DNA was found together on his bed.
Law enforcement interviews revealed additional inappropriate conduct toward another girl who was friends with Smith's daughter. She reported comments about her body starting at age 13 and unwanted physical contact after turning 14.
Smith was taken into custody following conviction and will be sentenced at a later date.
The Bartlesville Police Department and FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Hockenbury and Matthew Cyran prosecuted it.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to identify offenders and protect victims. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
