Mounds Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 10 years for First Degree Murder in Indian Country
Kyle Quentin Sago, 32, of Mounds, was sentenced Thursday in federal court for fatally shooting a man the day they renewed an old friendship, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Sago to life in prison plus 10 years.
In September, a federal jury convicted Sago of first degree murder in Indian Country, two counts of felon in possession of ammunition; and causing death by using and discharging a firearm in the commission of first degree murder.
“Kyle Sago committed an egregious, senseless crime when he took the life of Daniel Morgan,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “While today’s sentence cannot rectify the loss of Mr. Morgan, it sends a message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners take seriously our mission to uphold justice. There are no higher priorities than keeping our communities safe and fighting for victims of violent crime.”
“The FBI works every day with our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable when they commit egregious acts such as murder. Violent crime affects not only the victims, but also their families and the community at large,” said Edward J. Gray, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. “The FBI remains committed to our responsibility to uphold the Constitution and protect all Americans, and we are as committed as ever to our work in Indian Country.”
At the sentencing hearing, Morgan’s young daughter told the court her father was kind, nice, and that everyone relied on him. She said she missed his laugh and him being at her birthday parties. Other family members said they would never understand why Morgan’s friend would kill him, especially after Morgan saved him from a fire, and described the difficulty they endured after losing him. They thanked Judge Frizzell for his handling of the case and asked that Sago be sent to prison for life.
When imposing the sentence, Judge Frizzell explained that there seemed to be no explanation as to why Sago committed the murder except possibly for Sago’s long history of drug use, calling methamphetamine a scourge. He reminded Sago of the tragedy caused by his actions not only for the family but also for Sago himself.
On July 25, 2020, Officers from the Tulsa Police Department were notified of a shooting that occurred within the Muscogee Nation reservation. A witness, victim Daniel Morgan’s girlfriend, identified Kyle Sago as having fired the shots that killed the victim.
At trial, Morgan’s girlfriend explained that she woke up at about 3:30 pm the day of the crime and saw Sago visiting with the victim. Morgan introduced Sago as a good friend. She noticed burns on Sago’s arms. Morgan explained that he had saved Sago years ago from a fire at a meth lab. She said the two continued to exchange stories and visited.
After Sago left, the victim lay down for a nap because he had been working the night prior. Morgan’s girlfriend then heard multiple Facebook Messenger calls to the victim’s phone while he was asleep. She noted that Kyle Sago initiated the calls.
The witness stated that Sago soon returned to the residence in a white sedan When she stepped outside, he demanded to speak with Morgan about "business" and she should wake him.
When Morgan walked outside, the witness stated that she heard multiple gunshots. She moved to the door and witnessed Sago shoot at Morgan approximately four more times from the white sedan as the victim retreated around to the side of the house.
Other witnesses called 911 and ran to assist. Morgan’s girlfriend also assisted and called the victim’s mother. She further cooperated with authorities in identifying Sago as the shooter. Daniel Morgan sustained 4 gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
Several witnesses who saw the crime occur confirmed the suspect shot from the same white sedan and continued to drive and fire at the victim as he ran for cover.
The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross E. Lenhardt and Aaron M. Jolly prosecuted the case. Mr. Lenhardt is a prosecutor from the Western District of Pennsylvania. He volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Quapaw Nation Reservations.
See trial press release here.
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