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Henryetta Today
By the People, for the People
Two Okmulgee County Residents Face Federal Sentencing in Separate Cases
Crimes occurred within Muscogee Nation Reservation, leading to federal prosecution
Mar. 25, 2026 at 4:04pm
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Two residents of Okmulgee County, Oklahoma have been sentenced or pleaded guilty to federal charges in unrelated criminal cases. A Morris man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for leaving the scene of an accident involving an injured bicyclist, while a Henryetta man pleaded guilty to a felony arson charge that carries up to 25 years in prison. Both cases were prosecuted at the federal level due to occurring within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation Reservation.
Why it matters
The federal prosecution of these cases highlights the continued efforts by authorities to address crimes committed within the Muscogee Nation Reservation, which falls under federal jurisdiction. The outcomes serve as a warning to others who may consider committing similar offenses in the region.
The details
In the first case, 46-year-old Lee Calhoun Phillips of Morris was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for leaving the scene of an accident involving an injured bicyclist. Phillips struck the bicyclist with his Peterbilt truck in September 2023 but fled the scene rather than rendering aid. The injured victim was later discovered by Oklahoma Department of Transportation workers. In the second case, 37-year-old Ace Hailey Buckner of Henryetta pleaded guilty to one count of arson in Indian Country, a felony offense punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Buckner admitted to willfully and maliciously setting fire to a motor vehicle on June 5, 2025.
- On September 28, 2023, Phillips struck a bicyclist with his truck and fled the scene.
- On July 7, 2025, Phillips pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident involving nonfatal injury.
- On June 5, 2025, Buckner set fire to a motor vehicle.
- Buckner pleaded guilty to the arson charge, but a sentencing date has not yet been announced.
The players
Lee Calhoun Phillips
A 46-year-old resident of Morris, Oklahoma who was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for leaving the scene of an accident involving an injured bicyclist.
Ace Hailey Buckner
A 37-year-old resident of Henryetta, Oklahoma who pleaded guilty to a federal arson charge that carries up to 25 years in prison.
Muscogee Nation
The Native American tribal nation within whose reservation boundaries the crimes occurred, placing the cases under federal jurisdiction.
What’s next
A U.S. District Court judge will determine Ace Hailey Buckner's sentence for the arson charge after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
The takeaway
These cases demonstrate the federal government's commitment to addressing criminal activity within the Muscogee Nation Reservation, regardless of the perpetrator's background. The outcomes serve as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar offenses in the region.
