An Okemah man who led Okmulgee County lawmen on a high speed chase was sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison this week.
Dustin MarrisDustin Kyle Marris, 34, had been found guilty in federal court of four felony charges at his Nov. 3, 2021 trial. Those charges included: assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country, the use, carry brandish and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a felon in possession of a firearm.
That resulted in a sentence of 282 months in prison.
He also received an additional 12 month sentence for an escape from custody charge.
The original charges resulted from a Nov. 9, 2020 incident when an Okmulgee County deputy tried to stop Marris for speeding. The Okemah man refused to stop, instead speeding away then fired several shots at the deputy. He crashed his car into a ditch then fled the scene. Marris was found the following day and arrested. During a search, officers found four baggies of meth weighing 49.38 grams.
Ten days after his trial ended, Marris and another inmate escaped from the Okmulgee County Detention Center. That escape was short-lived with both captured the following day.
Because Marris is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in the Creek Nation, the offenses were all brought to federal court.
“The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court is fitting punishment,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Methamphetamine and firearms are a dangerous combination. Thankfully, the Okmulgee County Deputy was not injured or killed during the attempted stop and pursuit. Marris has been a violent criminal the majority of his adult life and obviously has no respect for the law or law enforcement. Protecting the public and our law enforcement partners from dangerous offenders will continue to be a priority for the United States Attorney’s Office.”