Three Individuals Indicted In December 2018 Federal Grand Jury

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the December 2018 Federal Grand Jury.

The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury.  A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt.  A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court.  Federal prison sentences are non-parolable.

NICKEY LYNN ANDERSON, age 35, of Idabel, Oklahoma
Possessing Contraband In Prison (2 Counts)

The Indictment alleges that on or about October 16, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant, NICKEY LYNN ANDERSON, an inmate of a prison as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1791(d)(4), did knowingly possess a prohibited object, to-wit: a long piece of metal sharpened to a fine point on one end, with cloth wrapped around the opposite end to form a handle, designed and intended to be used as a weapon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1791(a)(2), 1791(b)(3) and 1791(d)(1)(B), punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.  

The Indictment further alleges that on or about October 16, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant, NICKEY LYNN ANDERSON, an inmate of a prison as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1791(d)(4), did knowingly possess a prohibited object, to-wit: a cellular telephone, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1791(a)(2), 1791(b)(4) and 1791(d)(1)(F), punishable by not more than 1 year imprisonment, a fine up to $100,000.00 or both.  

The charges arose from an investigation by the Okmulgee County Sherriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Heatherman

JAY Q. BRANHAM, age 50, of Seminole, Oklahoma
Embezzlement And Theft From Indian Tribal Organizations

The Indictment alleges that on or about November 2017 to on or about October 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, JAY Q BRANHAM, did steal, embezzle and knowingly and willfully convert to his own use monies in excess of $1,000.00 which had been entrusted to his custody and care as an employee of the Seminole Nation Housing Authority, an Indian tribal organization, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1163, punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.  

The charges arose from an investigation by the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Jordan

JEREMY LEE POAFPYBITTY a/k/a “Chooch”, age 33, of Bunch, Oklahoma
Assaulting An Employee Of The United States With A Deadly And Dangerous Weapon

The Indictment alleges that on or about July 24, 2018, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, JEREMY LEE POAFPYBITTY a/k/a Chooch, did knowingly, intentionally, and forcibly, with the use of a deadly and dangerous weapon, to wit: a knife, assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with and did inflict bodily injury to an employee of the United States Postal Service while in and on account of the performance of official duties, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 111(a)(1) and (b), punishable by not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both.  

The charges arose from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Henson