Calera Man Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement

Muskogee, Oklahoma - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that MICHAEL GLENN VALLES, age 47, of Calera, Oklahoma, pled guilty to making a False Statement, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1014, punishable by not more than 30 years imprisonment and/or up to a $1,000,000.00 fine.

The charge arose from an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture. The defendant was indicted in November, 2014.

The Indictment alleged that on or about January 22, 2010, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, knowingly made a false statement for the purpose of influencing the action of the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency in connection with a security agreement in which the defendant listed $80,739.19 in value of cattle that he had purchased in August and September 2009 when in truth and in fact, as the defendant well knew, he had only purchased $27,178.91 worth of cattle during that time period.

The Honorable Kimberly E. West, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report.

Assistant United States Attorney Melody Nelson represented the United States.