Last defendant sentenced in kidnapping, murder of Osage woman

Source: US Attorney’s Office (NDOK)

TULSA — The last of nine defendants was sentenced today in the kidnapping and murder of Osage Nation citizen Jolene Walker Campbell, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell convicted Tre Robert Allen Ackerson, 30, of Webb City, Missouri, of second-degree murder. Frizzell ordered that Ackerson be sentenced to 600 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

“I hope Ms. Campbell's family can find some sort of healing knowing that the person who murdered their loved one will likely die behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The Department of Justice will continue its relentless efforts to seek justice on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples. »

According to court documents, Ackerson kidnapped and brutally murdered Jolene in July 2020. The victim’s body was found in a remote field in Mayes County. Investigations showed that Jolene was robbed and kidnapped in Missouri and driven to Oklahoma, where she was murdered by Ackerson.

Ackerson and several of the defendants used physical force or threatened to use physical force against four witnesses in separate incidents.

Various attacks on witnesses occurred, including witnesses being kidnapped, zip-tied, blindfolded or taped shut, shot, and beaten. These acts were committed to prevent witnesses from testifying or in retaliation for informing law enforcement of Jolene's murder.

Additional defendants convicted in this case include:

• Sarah Michelle Humbard, of Joplin, Missouri, was convicted in October 2023 of tampering with a witness, victim and informant using the threat of physical force. U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced Humbard to five years of probation.
• Chloe Louise Stith, of Carthage, Missouri, was convicted in November 2023 of tampering with a witness, victim and informant using the threat of physical force. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Stith to 87 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
• Breanna Lynn Sloanof Joplin, was convicted in January 2024 of kidnapping resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Sloan to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
• David William Morrisof Joplin, was convicted in November 2023 of tampering with a witness, a victim and an informant by using the threat of physical force. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Morris to 65 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
• Morgan Lee Bowmanof Joplin, was convicted in March 2024 of tampering with a witness, a victim and an informant by using the threat of physical force. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Bowman to 46 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
• Megan Louise Detherageof Joplin, was convicted in March 2024 of criminal misdemeanor detention. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Detherage to prison, followed by one year of supervised release.
• Jacob Ryan Scribnerof Joplin, was convicted in April 2024 of conspiracy to retaliate against a witness, a victim and an informant. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Scribner to 48 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
• Ryan Bronson, of Joplin, was convicted in March 2024 of tampering with a witness, victim and informant using the threat of physical force. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Bronson to 228 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

The FBI, Mayes County Sheriff's Office, Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department and the Joplin Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Bish and George Jiang prosecuted the case.