Three Individuals Indicted In March 2018 Federal Grand Jury

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the March 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.

NICHOLAS RYAN RENFRO, age 25, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Possession Of A Counterfeit Obligation Of The United States (4 Counts)

On or about January 10, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Defendant, NICHOLAS RYAN RENFRO, did knowingly have in his possession and custody, with intent to sell or otherwise use, falsely made and counterfeited notes, made after the similitude of obligations issued under the authority of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 474(a); punishable by not more than 25 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both for each count.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Secret Service.

Assistant United States Attorney John David Luton.  

RICHARD CURTIS WHETSELL, age 27, of Stilwell, Oklahoma

Interstate Violation Of A Protection Order

On or about the 7th day of February 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, entered into and was present in Indian Country, with the intent to engage in conduct that would violate a portion of a protection order in the State of Oklahoma that was issued by the Adair County District Court on February 6, 2018, that ordered the defendant to leave and remain away from a specific residence, and the defendant did subsequently engage in such conduct by going to that specific location, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2262(a)(1), 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 Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow

RONNIE RAY NEIHART, age 68, of Durant, Oklahoma

Wire Fraud (15 Counts)

Beginning on or about June 3, 2010, and continuing through on or about August 31, 2017, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, RONNIE RAY NEIHART, defendant herein, knowingly and with the intent to defraud, devised and executed a scheme by making false statements to investors in order to sell them units of ownership in OG Land & Mineral, LLC, and EX-OG Energy, LLC, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, punishable by not more than 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both for each count.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Melody Nelson