Elijah Dewayne Hicks was found guilty of murder and two other federal charges this week.
elijah hicksThe 22-year-old Okemah resident was charged with the death of Timothy Ray Buckley in August of last year in Okemah. The victim is a cousin of Hicks
Because both Hicks and Buckley are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the murder happened inside the Creek Nation, the case was tried in federal court.
During the two-day trial, Hicks was said to have shot Buckley four times then fled. After a four-month manhunt by the FBI, Buckley was finally arrested in Potawatomi County.
In addition to the murder verdict, Hicks was also found guilty of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; and Causing the Death of a Person in the Course of a Violation of Title 18 United States Code ยง 924(c).
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Muscogee (Creek) Lighthorse Police, and the Okemah Police Department were all involved in the investigation.
Hick will receive his sentence following completion of a presentence report. Hicks was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing.