Massachusetts man indicted for impersonating former Oklahoma education official

Authorities say the suspect sent letters to schools while posing as Ryan Walters

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A 42-year-old Massachusetts man has been indicted for allegedly impersonating former Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters and sending letters to schools while posing as Walters. The suspect, whose name has not been released, is accused of carrying out this scheme over several months.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of impersonation and fraud, especially when it involves public officials. The suspect's actions could have caused confusion and disruption for schools that received the letters, raising concerns about the security and integrity of educational institutions.

The details

According to authorities, the Massachusetts man created fake letterhead and envelopes to make it appear the letters were from Ryan Walters, the former Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The letters contained requests for sensitive student information and other inappropriate demands. The suspect is facing federal charges of wire fraud and impersonation of a public official.

  • The suspect was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 10, 2026.

The players

Ryan Walters

The former Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, whose identity was allegedly impersonated by the suspect.

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What they’re saying

“We take these types of crimes very seriously, as they can have a significant impact on our educational institutions and the students they serve.”

— U.S. Attorney (spotonoklahoma.com)

What’s next

The suspect is expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks to face the charges.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and security measures to protect the integrity of educational systems, as well as the need for swift action against those who attempt to impersonate public officials for nefarious purposes.