May Federal Grand Jury 2025-B: Federal Indictments Announced Across Oklahoma
On May 26, 2026, United States Attorney Clint Johnson announced the results of the May 2025-B federal grand jury session, resulting in indictments against 19 individuals for alleged violations of federal law. The charges, filed in the Northern District of Oklahoma, cover a wide spectrum of criminal conduct including drug trafficking, unlawful reentry, violent crime in Indian Country, child exploitation, and firearms offenses. The indictments are the result of investigations led by multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies. The grand jury, which sits in Tulsa, reviewed evidence presented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and returned the indictments after finding probable cause.
Source note: This article is based on a public release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
How Federal Grand Jury Indictments Work
A federal grand jury is a group of citizens convened to hear evidence presented by prosecutors and determine whether there is probable cause to believe a federal crime has been committed. An indictment is not a conviction; it is a formal accusation that starts the criminal process. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The indictments announced by U.S. Attorney Johnson are the result of a grand jury session that convened in Tulsa, and they cover a variety of offenses under federal jurisdiction.
Because many of the charges arise from activities in Indian Country—areas within the Muscogee Creek Nation, Cherokee Nation, and other tribal lands—federal jurisdiction often applies under the Major Crimes Act and other statutes. This means the cases are handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office and federal investigative agencies rather than state or tribal courts alone. The Northern District of Oklahoma regularly processes a high volume of such federal criminal cases, reflecting the unique jurisdictional landscape of the region.
Drug Trafficking and Possession with Intent to Distribute
Several indictments focus on drug-related charges. Federal law treats possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute as a serious offense, often carrying federal sentencing requirements sentences depending on the drug type and quantity. The following individuals face drug charges, often coupled with unlawful reentry or firearm allegations:
Gustavo Barranco Labastida, 49, a Mexican national, is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and unlawful reentry after removal in July 2014. Roger Fuentes Ramos, 31, also a Mexican national, faces similar cocaine distribution charges and unlawful reentry following multiple removals in 2014 and 2017. Both cases were investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Melisa Susan Kyle, 46, of Crane, Missouri, is charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Victor Varona Lopez, 33, a Mexican national, is accused of attempting to possess over 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, along with unlawful reentry after a long history of prior removals. The DEA Tulsa Resident Office and HSI led those investigations.
Jamie Lynn Stephens, 48, of Miller, Missouri, is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to tamper with evidence by engaging in misleading conduct aimed at destroying evidence on a cellular device. The DEA and Quapaw Nation Marshal Service worked the case.
Aaron Michael Bennett, 41, of Tulsa, faces an unusual charge of manufacturing N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a Schedule I controlled substance. He is also charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, and the Broken Arrow Police Department, investigated the case, with assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma National Guard. The manufacturing charge indicates a more complex alleged drug operation, though the indictment provides only the statutory allegations.
In drug conspiracy and manufacturing cases, federal law often carries significant penalties, but each defendant will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence at trial or through plea negotiations. The indictments do not detail the specific circumstances of the alleged crimes beyond the statutory language.
Charges of Unlawful Reentry
Immigration-related charges make up a significant portion of this grand jury session. Unlawful reentry of a removed alien is a federal felony under 8 U.S.C. § 1326, and it often results in prison time upon conviction. Many of the individuals charged have repeated prior removals, sometimes dating back more than a decade. Such prior removals can influence potential sentencing if convictions are obtained.
Agustin Alberto Becerra Ambriz, 32, a Mexican national, allegedly reentered after a 2013 removal. Miguel Cerrato Argueta, 24, a Honduran national, was removed in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2017 before allegedly reentering. Juan Cornelio Gomez, 47, a Mexican national, was removed in 2010 and 2015. Francisco Javier Pantoja Santillan, 49, a Mexican national, had three removals in 2001, one in 2009, and one in 2020. Servando Perez Arrollo, 41, a Mexican national, faced removals in 2008, twice in 2009, and 2013. All these cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
The charges typically arise after law enforcement encounters individuals who have previously been formally deported and then returned to the United States without legal authorization. The high number of repeat removals in some cases may influence potential sentencing considerations if convictions are obtained.
Violent Crime and Firearms Offenses in Indian Country
The grand jury returned indictments in several violent crime cases, many of which involve firearms and assaults in Indian Country. These cases often fall under federal jurisdiction because of the location of the alleged crimes on tribal lands, and they illustrate the complex coordination required between federal and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Terry Joe Hicks, 34, of Vinita, a member of the Wyandotte Nation, faces the most serious charges in this group. He is charged with first-degree felony murder in Indian Country in connection with the killing of Robin Sharp during a burglary. Additional charges include first-degree burglary, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying, using, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI and Grove Police Department investigated.
Marcellino James Davis, Jr., 40, of Tulsa, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The Broken Arrow Police Department, FBI, and ATF handled the investigation.
Phaylen Lloyd Yellow Robe, 34, of Tulsa, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, is accused of assault of an intimate dating partner by strangling and suffocating in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated.
In addition, several defendants face firearms charges as felons in possession. Willie Carl Stanley, 41, of Tulsa, and Henry Adam Watashe, 35, of Sapulpa, are each charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after previous felony convictions. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition that have traveled in interstate commerce. The ATF and local police departments worked those cases.
These violent crime allegations, particularly the murder charge, underscore the public safety risks that federal prosecutors aim to address. However, they remain accusations, and the legal process will determine the facts in each case. The involvement of multiple agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement, reflects the collaborative nature of modern federal investigations.
Child Exploitation Cases
Two indictments involve child sexual abuse material and related offenses, both with alleged conduct in Indian Country. These cases are handled with particular seriousness under federal law, and investigations often involve lengthy digital forensic analysis.
Christopher Brandon Kay, 26, of Sand Springs, a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with receiving, distributing, and possessing visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The indictment alleges that some material involved children under 12 years old. Homeland Security Investigations and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office investigated.
Camille Jordan Winchester, 36, of Mounds, a Cherokee Nation member, faces even more severe charges: production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country. The indictment accuses him of using a minor child to produce sexually explicit material and engaging in a sexual act with a child under 12. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies.
Federal law imposes federal sentencing requirements sentences for production of child pornography and enhanced penalties for offenses involving young children. These indictments signal a continued federal focus on protecting children from exploitation, but the defendants are entitled to a robust defense and the presumption of innocence.
Other Federal Charges
Andrew Cordario Wagoner, 24, was indicted on a single count of escape from federal custody, alleging he knowingly departed the Turley Residential Center without permission. The U.S. Marshal Service investigated.
Each of these cases now moves into the pretrial phase, where defendants will appear before a magistrate judge, enter pleas, and potentially negotiate resolutions or proceed to trial. The public docket will gradually reveal more details, including any motions to suppress evidence, detention hearings, and potential trial dates.
What Happens Next After an Indictment?
Once an indictment is returned, the U.S. Marshals Service typically takes the defendants into custody or issues summonses for them to appear in court. An initial appearance and arraignment follow, where the charges are read and a plea is entered. In many federal cases, the majority resolve through plea agreements, though some go to trial. Sentencing, if there is a conviction, is determined by a federal judge using sentencing considerations that consider the offense level and criminal history.
Because these indictments were just announced, the public docket will gradually reveal more details, including any motions to suppress evidence, detention hearings, and potential trial dates. The government bears the burden of proof, and each defendant is entitled to a fair process. The cases will proceed under the direction of the assigned Assistant U.S. Attorneys, with oversight from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Why Public Reporting on Federal Indictments Matters
The announcement of grand jury indictments provides a window into how federal law enforcement resources are being deployed in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Transparency about the nature and scope of federal charges helps the public understand the priorities of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the investigative agencies. It also reinforces the principle that serious allegations must be tested in open court, not determined by press releases. By reporting on these cases without presuming guilt, independent journalism contributes to public understanding of the justice system.
Readers should note that the FBI release identifies the defendants, their charges, and the investigating agencies but does not detail the underlying evidence. The full story will unfold in the courtroom, and Shadab Chow News will continue to follow significant developments as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a federal grand jury indictment?
A federal grand jury indictment is a formal accusation that there is probable cause to believe a person committed a federal crime. It is not a finding of guilt; rather, it allows the prosecution to proceed with a criminal case. The grand jury hears evidence from prosecutors and decides whether to issue an indictment.
Do these charges mean the accused individuals are guilty?
No. Under the U.S. legal system, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The indictments are merely charges that the government must prove at trial or through a guilty plea.
Why are some cases charged in Indian Country?
Certain crimes committed on tribal lands or involving Native American defendants or victims may fall under federal jurisdiction. The Major Crimes Act and other federal laws give the U.S. Attorney's Office authority to prosecute serious offenses like murder, child abuse, and felony assault when they occur in Indian Country.
What agencies investigated these cases?
The indictments announced on May 26, 2026, were the result of work by multiple agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, and local police departments such as Tulsa PD, Broken Arrow PD, and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office. Interagency cooperation is common in federal criminal investigations.
What happens after an indictment?
After an indictment, defendants are typically arrested or summoned to appear in court. They will have an initial appearance and arraignment, where they enter a plea. The case then proceeds through pretrial motions, possible plea negotiations, and, if no plea is reached, a trial. Sentencing occurs only after a conviction.
Sources
This article is based on public information released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and has been independently rewritten, summarized, and contextualized by Shadab Chow News. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FBI, the Department of Justice, any court, or any government agency. It may be updated as more confirmed information becomes available.