Sand Springs Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping a Former Girlfriend

A Sand Springs man who kidnapped and threatened to kill a former dating partner pleaded guilty today in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Michael Joseph Pointer, 42, pleaded guilty to carjacking; kidnapping in Indian Country; and carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

“Michael Pointer has a history of threats and acts of violence. In this case, he threatened to kill the victim in a ‘bloodbath’ and fired his shotgun at the victim, narrowly missing her head. Because of her quick thinking, she was eventually able to escape her captor,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Assistant U.S. Attorney Chantelle Dial and our partners at the FBI and Tulsa Police Department ensured Pointer’s conviction today in federal court. I am proud of their work to protect victims of abuse.”

Pointer admitted that on April 3, 2020, he kidnapped a former dating partner using force and intimidation. Pointer threatened to kill the victim and her family and discharged a shotgun at her. At that time, Pointer knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his previous felony conviction. He then took the victim and her Mercury minivan, driving her around Tulsa against her will. At one point, the victim was able to break away from Pointer and run into a convenience store where she hid in a bathroom. A store employee called authorities. Tulsa Police officers responded to the call, located the vehicle, and conducted a high-risk traffic stop. Officers discovered a 12-gauge shot gun and ammunition in the vehicle.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chantelle Dial is prosecuting the case. Ms.Dial is a prosecutor from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington. She 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 (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.