Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office

05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

From all of us at the Sheriff’s Office, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

05/12/2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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William Curtis Sentenced in
Child Sexual Abuse Material Case

SALLISAW, OK — William Curtis, 32 of Muldrow. Was sentenced in the Sequoyah County District Court on April 29, 2026, to a 20-year suspended sentence, with the first 10 years to be served in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, following a conviction involving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
The investigation was conducted by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. During the investigation, investigators reviewed data obtained through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Data System and conducted a forensic preview of files identified as suspected Child Sexual Abuse Material. Investigators determined the files met Oklahoma’s legal definition of child sexual abuse material.
The investigation identified approximately 49 image files and two video files depicting child sexual abuse material involving minors.
Following the investigation and prosecution, Curtis entered a plea of no contest to the charge of Procuring, Producing, Distributing, and Possessing Juvenile Po*******hy. Judge Bret Smith sentenced Curtis to a 20-year suspended sentence, requiring Curtis to serve the first 10 years in prison.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of crimes involving the exploitation of children,” said Sheriff Larry Lane. “Our agency remains committed to protecting children and aggressively pursuing individuals who exploit minors. We have assigned Investigator Rebecca Greer to the OSBI Crimes against children task force and she has done outstanding work, and uncovered numerous cases within Sequoyah County over the past year”.
Authorities encourage the public to report suspected crimes against children to local law enforcement or through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Cyber Tipline.

05/11/2026

04/29/2026

After a lengthy investigation by SCSO Investigators Dwayne Frizzell & BR Rutherford along with prosecutors from the District 27 DA’s office. New arrest warrants were issued yesterday. Hopefully we can get this old case closed out and get some closure for the family of this victim.

These Three men are once again charged in a 2016 murder, after confessing just days after the murder took place.

WHO: Michael Snelling, Tyler Leverett and Charles Shamblin

WHAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT SAYS HAPPENED:

-June 21, 2016: Matthew Fagan was reported missing after going hiking near Sallisaw with the 3 men.

-July 1, 2016: Leverett told investigators Snelling killed Matthew during an argument with a hammer, then told the other two, they had to help get rid of the body or they or their families would be next.

-July 11, 2016: Shamblin told investigators Snelling repeatedly hit Matthew and, then made the other two kick and punch Matthew also and help get rid of the body or he'd kill them and their families.

-July 7, 2016: Snelling told investigators Leverett is the one who kept punching Matthew and the other 2 tried to stop it, but Leverett threatened their families and made them hit Matthew and get rid of the body.

-The 3 were arrested and in an jail about a year, but, the case was dismissed in 2017 because Matthew's body was never found, despite several searches.

-November 2, 2024: a hunter found a bone less than a half mile from where Matthew went missing.
-A search was conducted and they found 15 teeth, more bones, pants and fabric and it was sent to the OSBI for DNA testing.

-January 6, 2026: OSBI confirms the remains are Matthew's.
-April 28, 2026: murder and accessory charges re-filed against all three suspects

-These are charges, not convictions.

The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office made three arrests connected to a missing hiker.

04/23/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scam Alert –
Fraudulent Court Notice Circulating

The Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a fraudulent notice currently being distributed that falsely দাবি appears to be an official court document related to traffic violations and unpaid tolls.

This document contains multiple inaccuracies and red flags. For example, it references the “State of Oklahoma” while listing the “Municipal Court of St. Louis County,” which is not located in Oklahoma. It also includes suspicious elements such as threats of immediate enforcement action, demands for payment through unofficial means, and a QR code directing recipients to make payment.

This notice is a scam. !!

Residents are strongly advised:

Do NOT send money or provide personal information in response to this document.

Do NOT scan the QR code or follow any payment instructions listed.

Be cautious of any communication demanding immediate payment or threatening legal action without proper verification.

Official court notices will come through verified channels and will not pressure individuals into immediate payment using unconventional methods.

If you receive a similar notice:

Report it to your local law enforcement agency.

Contact the appropriate court directly using verified contact information.

Share this warning with friends and family to help prevent others from becoming victims.

Our office is actively monitoring this situation and working to ensure the public is informed and protected.

If you have any questions or believe you may have been targeted, please contact our office immediately.

Stay alert. Stay informed. Protect yourself from scams

03/02/2026

The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office announces with heavy hearts the passing of K9-Joi, a true pioneer of our K9 program and a loyal partner who helped shape the future of interdiction efforts in our county.

K9-Joi was the original and trailblazing narcotics detection canine for our agency. She broke the ice for drug and currency interdiction seizures along Interstate 40, setting the standard for the work that followed. Her success not only led to significant seizures, but also established the foundation and reputation of our K9 program.

Throughout her entire career, Joi remained partnered with her handler, Deputy Steven Jenkins. Their bond was unwavering, and together they worked countless hours protecting our community and disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics and criminal proceeds through our county. Their partnership exemplified dedication, trust, and teamwork.

K9-Joi’s legacy lives on in the program she helped build and in the deputies and canines who continue the mission she began. We are grateful for her service, her impact, and the example she set.

K9-Joi, was 12 years old and had served the Sheriff’s Office for 9 years.
During her storied career, Joi located nearly two million in cash and almost a thousand pounds of illegal narcotics.
Joi and Deputy Jenkins were named the Association of Oklahoma Narcotics Enforcers, Regional K9 team of the year, three times, in 2017, 2018 & 2019.

She will be missed, but never forgotten.

02/24/2026

Big Thank you to Cantiflas restaurant in Sallisaw for providing lunch for the sheriffs office today !

02/23/2026

Press Release from-
Sequoyah County Sheriff, Larry Lane

At approximately 1:00 p.m. today, while I was eating lunch at a local restaurant, a citizen informed me that a Vian Police Department officer had a subject at gunpoint outside. I immediately went outside and observed the suspect flee the scene in a pickup truck.

I got into my patrol unit and caught up to the Vian officer, who had again stopped the suspect on Interstate 40 just east of the eastbound on-ramp. As I exited my vehicle to assist, the suspect accelerated and fled once more, initiating a pursuit.

The pursuit continued for several miles at speeds of just over 100 mph. After a few miles, the Vian officer and myself were joined by additional Sequoyah County deputies and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers. One trooper deployed stop sticks, which were ineffective. A semi truck driver also assisted us by slowing down in front of the truck. A second trooper later performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), successfully spinning out the suspect’s vehicle. Deputies then boxed the vehicle in and issued commands for the driver to exit.

The suspect briefly rolled down the window and waved at officers before rolling the window back up and accelerating in reverse. A deputy fired one round, striking the front tire in an attempt to disable the vehicle. A trooper then broke the driver’s window, and officers extracted the driver—who was unclothed—and placed him into custody.
“All agencies worked very well together today”.

One Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper sustained significant lacerations to his hand during the extraction and was treated for his injuries. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where is currently undergoing medical and mental health evaluations.

The suspect was confirmed to have an outstanding felony warrant out of Muskogee County for a hit-and-run case. Additional charges are expected to be filed in Sequoyah County related to today’s incident. This incident remains under investigation.

Sheriff Lane said;
“This incident is a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate in law enforcement. One minute I was having lunch with my family, and the next I had someone at gunpoint and got into a lengthy, high-speed pursuit. It underscores why training and readiness are so critical for all of us.”

02/20/2026

** Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office Provides Update on Moffett School Threat Investigation.

Sequoyah County, OK — The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with Arkansas law enforcement partners, has completed an extensive investigation into recent threats made toward Moffett Public Schools.

Investigators from both states conducted thorough interviews with the individual responsible for the threats and have gathered sufficient information to present charges to the District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

Sheriff Larry Lane stated, “After the investigation and interviews, we have reported our findings to Moffett school administrators. While we will be filing charges and advocating for, at minimum, a strict counseling protocol for this young man, we do not believe he has the means or the ability to carry out the threats he shared on social media.”

The individual involved is a juvenile, and limited information can be released due to privacy laws. Investigators confirmed there are no fi****ms in the home and the juvenile does not have access to weapons. Based on the investigation, law enforcement does not believe he has the ability or means to carry out the threats. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the family and appropriate agencies to ensure the juvenile receives appropriate intervention and support.

The Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that any threats toward schools or the public are taken seriously, regardless of perceived intent or capability. Additional safety measures may remain in place as a precaution.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks Moffett school administrators, Arkansas law enforcement partners, and the community for their cooperation and vigilance throughout this investigation.