Federal Jury Convicts Adair County Resident Of Four Counts Of Aggravated Sexual Abuse

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Daniel Wayne Bayless, age 26, of Adair County, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of four counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country.

The jury trial began with testimony on July17, 2023, and concluded on July 18, 2023, with the guilty verdicts.

During the trial, the United States presented evidence that in 2020 Bayless sexually assaulted a minor victim under the age of 12 on multiple occasions. The Government also presented evidence Bayless victimized another child ten years prior.  The crimes occurred in Adair County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report.  The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report.  Bayless will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.