26 Dec “Absurd, shocking and offensive” DA Ballard Reacts to DOJ Lawsuit
IN THE NEWS
Claremore, OKLA Dec 26, 2024 – On December 23, 2024, attorneys with the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against District Attorneys Matt Ballard and Carol Iski.
The lawsuit seeks to stop the DAs from prosecuting native Americans for crimes committed on tribal lands. This is despite this month’s ruling (Tulsa v. O’Brien) which found states do have full criminal jurisdiction over tribal citizens who commit crimes in reservations that are not their own tribe’s lands.
The three specific cases the DOJ cites in DA Ballard’s district involve horrific child porn charges for making and sharing pornographic photos and videos involving victims as young as two years old, aggravated trafficking in the deadly drug fentanyl and subjecting children to living conditions around fentanyl, meth, cocaine and drug use.
Ballard says “The highest court in the land ruled we have jurisdiction. I was elected by the people in the communities I serve, the DOJ has no place coming in and saying I’m not allowed to do what I was elected to do which is protect our communities, champion the rights of victims, and get dangerous people off the streets before they can hurt more people. The Feds decline approximately 80% of the cases sent to them. They are not set up to handle many of the cases local law enforcement brings to my office. Yet the DOJ wants to tie my hands so I can’t protect my communities and hold criminals accountable? It’s absurd, shocking and offensive. Along with our local law enforcement partners, we will remain committed to justice, and that never changes regardless of race, political affiliation, or by dividing people into some other category.”
Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Still have rallied behind Ballard and his commitment to justice.
“This is federal government overreach at its worst. Matt has enough spine and commitment to the people we serve in our communities to take the right road, not the easy one. The lawsuit threatens the safety of people here in Rogers County and its surrounding communities. That can’t stand.” says Sheriff Walton.
The Governor weighed in saying “This is insanity. The DOJ would rather let criminals including drug traffickers and child abusers go free instead of letting Oklahoma district attorneys prosecute cases.”
Here are the defendants and their cases named in the DOJ lawsuit
Brayden K Bull DOB 3/11/98 CF-2023-226
Brayden K Bull is charged with making, keeping, and sending out child porn (while still on probation for previous child porn offenses). Photos and videos showed sexual assault on multiple children, male and female, some as young as two years old.
Tony Demond Williams DOB 8/18/97 CF-2023-311
Charged with aggravated trafficking in fentanyl for selling undercover agents 57.5 grams of fentanyl (the minimum amount to be aggravated trafficking under state law is 5 grams)
Eric Douglas Ashley DOB 10/19/89 CF-2024-421
Eric Ashley is charged with child neglect for having several children in his house where investigators found fentanyl, meth, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. While being interviewed by law enforcement, reports show Ashley admitted to nearly daily fentanyl use inside the home with the children present.
We should be seeking cooperation in the pursuit of justice, not division that only benefits the criminals — DA Matt Ballard
Ballard also points out an atrocious case of child abuse that left a three-month-old Rogers County baby with permanent disabilities. “The Feds don’t have a child abuse statute. They came to me and asked if I’d take the case back. I did and Jacob Shell now faces life in prison for the abuse that resulted in a little boy being blind along with other lifelong challenges. Now the Feds want to say I shouldn’t be allowed to prosecute such cases.”
Jacob “Jake” Thomas Shell DOB 1/21/94 CF-2024-423
Shell is charged with felony child abuse for dropping, tossing, and shaking a three-month-old baby in his care. Medical and law enforcement professionals determined the baby suffered abusive head trauma often referred to as “shaken baby” which cased extensive and permanent damage to the baby’s eyes and brain.
The state originally filed charges on Shell, then after the McGirt ruling the case went to the Feds. Following the Huerta ruling the Feds brought the case back to Ballard’s desk and it is moving forward in Roger County.
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