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Press Release

Muskogee Man Sentenced For Assault And Firearms Crimes

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Oklahoma

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Ray Zuniga, age 29, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 40 months for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and a term of imprisonment of 120 months for one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.  The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.

The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

On July 19, 2022, Zuniga pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.  At the plea hearing, Zuniga admitted to striking the victim in the face with a 9 mm caliber firearm and firing the gun at the victim.  The crimes occurred within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The Honorable Timothy D. DeGiusti, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Zuniga will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve the non-paroleable sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.

Updated July 16, 2023

Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Violent Crime
Indian Country Law and Justice
Firearms Offenses