Clinton J. Johnson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma
A federal jury convicted Garret Lee Monroe, a 37-year-old Vinita resident and member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming, on Apr. 23 for aggravated sexual abuse by force in Indian Country after he raped a 16-year-old girl in November 2025.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address child sexual exploitation and abuse, which remains a significant concern for law enforcement and community safety.
According to court documents, Vinita Police responded to a fight on Nov. 30, 2025. Officers separated Monroe from another man who said he was contacted by the minor victim because something bad had happened. The victim reported that Monroe strangled and raped her, threatening her life during the assault. She testified that Monroe woke her up by covering her mouth and strangling her until she could not breathe. She stated that while she screamed, Monroe put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her before proceeding with the rape. Afterward, Monroe told the victim he feared going to prison and offered her $500 weekly not to tell anyone.
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner presented detailed reports at trial describing DNA evidence collected from the victim as well as photographs documenting injuries such as bruises and petechiae caused by strangulation. A DNA expert from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed that samples matched both Monroe's and the victim's DNA.
Monroe is a prior felon with previous convictions including assault on an officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery. He was released seven months before this incident after serving part of his sentence for robbery; his suspended sentence had been revoked due to non-compliance with release terms.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: FBI, Vinita Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey Todd and Blithe Cravens prosecuted the case under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation using resources across federal, state, local, and tribal levels.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma enforces federal laws through impartial litigation in partnership with law enforcement agencies across its jurisdiction according to its official website. The office covers eleven counties in northeastern Oklahoma—including Tulsa County—and employs more than sixty-five Assistant United States Attorneys as outlined online.
