Federal Jury Convicts Boswell Resident Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Indian Country

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Chase Lane Rocha, age 21, of Boswell, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country.

The jury trial began with testimony on October 2, 2023, and concluded on October 4, 2023, with the guilty verdict.

During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on January 24, 2023, Rocha caused the death of the victim by shooting her in the chest with a single-action revolver.  The crime occurred in Choctaw County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The guilty verdict was the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police Department.

The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by appointment, presided over the trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report.  The defendant will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Genevieve Ozark represented the United States.