Tahlequah Resident Pleads Guilty To Child Neglect

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lloyd William McDaniel, age 35, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country, punishable by up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Indictment alleged that on November 13, 2023, while responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of a child under the age of 18, McDaniel willfully and maliciously failed to protect the victim from exposure to illegal drug possession and use.

The crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

McDaniel was released on previous bond with order on conditions of release pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Muzljakovich represented the United States.