Jeffrey Brent Thomas, a 48-year-old resident of McAlester, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury on March 10 of three counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact in Indian Country, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The case is significant because it involves serious charges related to the sexual abuse of minors within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation. The crimes carry severe penalties, with each count punishable by up to life in prison and fines reaching $250,000.
Testimony during the trial revealed that between January 1, 2020, and January 16, 2021, Thomas sexually abused a child under the age of twelve. Evidence also showed that he abused two other minor children. The offenses took place in Pittsburg County within the Choctaw Nation Reservation.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office. The trial was presided over by Senior Judge Ronald A. White at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee.
A presentence report has been ordered before sentencing is scheduled. Thomas will remain in custody until sentencing is complete. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Emily Wittlinger prosecuted the case.
