The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma has announced the sentencing of Wesley Wayne Hunter Jr., a 29-year-old from Yukon, Oklahoma. Hunter received a 70-month prison sentence for one count of destruction, alteration, or falsification of records to obstruct a federal investigation.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. On June 5, 2024, Hunter pleaded guilty to the charge. Investigators reported that on July 20, 2023, while serving as a Canadian County Deputy, Hunter intentionally deactivated the mobile tracking system on his work phone during the transport of a pretrial detainee from Bryan County to Canadian County. He then diverted his patrol car off the designated route. During his plea hearing in June, Hunter admitted he did this to conceal and impede any future investigation into his subsequent criminal misconduct.
"The FBI will not stand by when a law enforcement official abuses the authority entrusted to them," stated FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Sonia Garcia. "We will continue to hold accountable any public servant who fails the community they were sworn to protect."
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson commented on Hunter's actions: "Wesley Wayne Hunter Jr. betrayed his employer, his community, and his oath by engaging in misconduct against a detainee and attempting to conceal his acts." He further acknowledged the efforts of multiple agencies: "Today, thanks to the diligent work of the FBI, the OSBI, the DOJ Civil Rights Division, and Eastern District prosecutors, Hunter is being held accountable for his crime."
The Honorable John D. Russell presided over the hearing in Muskogee as U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma by assignment. Following sentencing, Hunter remains in custody with U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility where he will serve a non-paroleable sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Richard Lorenz represented the United States with consultation from Trial Attorney Laura Gilson from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.