Two Defendants Sentenced for Domestic Violence Crimes

Jared Andrew Evans and Lakota Ray Scott were sentenced today in federal court in separate domestic violence cases, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

“In both of these cases, the defendants chose to put their hands around their partners’ necks in an attempt to strangle them. Tragically, domestic abuse often escalates from strangulation to homicide,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This team of federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials will continue to hold accountable perpetrators of domestic violence for the trauma they inflict on their partners, families and communities.”

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Jared Andrew Evans, 29, of Sapulpa, to 40 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to an intimate partner and dating partner in Indian Country.

Evans admitted that on May 22, 2020, he struck his girlfriend in the back of the head, knocking her down to the ground and resulting in a laceration. He also attempted to strangle the victim and kicked her in the stomach, causing her to throw up.

The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reagan V. Reininger prosecuted the case.

Lakota Ray Scott, 34, of Tulsa, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for domestic assault by strangulation in Indian Country and for robbery in Indian Country. Further, Scott agreed to take part in a drug and alcohol treatment program while imprisoned.

In 2017, Scott, a member of the Cherokee Nation, received a three-year deferred probation sentence from the state for the crimes, but she later requested her case be dismissed based on the Supreme Court’s jurisdictional decision in McGirt v Oklahoma. Once the case was dismissed, the United States filed charges against the defendant.

At a December plea hearing, Scott explained that on March 16, 2016, during an argument, Scott tackled the victim in the living room and strangled the victim. Scott also grabbed a flat screen television and smashed it over the victim’s head twice.

Scott further admitted to stealing a pick-up truck that was idling while the owner was just a few feet away on Jan. 31, 2019. When the owner saw the defendant in his truck, Scott locked the doors and put the vehicle in drive. The owner jumped into the bed of the truck and Scott drove off erratically and in a dangerous manner. The victim was thrown around in the truck bed during the ride and believed that Scott was trying to intentionally throw him out of the bed of the truck. The victim’s hands, legs, chest and head were injured. Scott then crashed the truck into a fence and ran. She was eventually found in a parking garage, hiding from authorities.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Gilmore prosecuted the case.