A 29-year-old Norman man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to setting fire to a McClain County deputy’s vehicles and home while the deputy and his family were inside.
Austin Garrett Reeves was sentenced on August 27 by U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick to 240 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in February to arson in Indian Country and being a felon in possession of firearms.
Arson Targeted Deputy’s Home
According to public records, McClain County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police responded on August 22, 2025, to a reported burglary at the Washington, Oklahoma, home of an MCSO deputy.
A handgun had been stolen from a vehicle belonging to the deputy’s family. Reeves was located nearby and arrested in connection with the burglary before being released from the Grady County jail later that day.
Hours after his release, Reeves returned to the deputy’s home carrying a large gas can.
Surveillance video showed Reeves pouring gasoline on the deputy’s personal vehicles and an MCSO patrol vehicle before setting the patrol vehicle on fire. The flames spread to the other vehicles and eventually reached the home.
The deputy and family members were inside when the residence caught fire, but they escaped without injuries. Reeves was burned during the fire and fled the scene.
Later that day, law enforcement located Reeves at his Norman residence, where he was taken into custody following a standoff. Officers observed a significant burn on his abdomen that was consistent with his involvement in the arson. Two firearms were also recovered from his bedroom.
Felon in Possession of Firearms
Reeves had previous felony convictions in Cleveland County District Court, including convictions for driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Because of those convictions, Reeves was prohibited from possessing firearms.
On February 3, 2026, prosecutors charged Reeves through a superseding information with arson in Indian Country and being a felon in possession of firearms. He pleaded guilty to the charges on February 24.
As part of his plea, Reeves admitted that he willfully and maliciously set fire to the vehicles and residence, putting the lives of those inside the home at risk. He also admitted that he knowingly possessed firearms despite his prior felony convictions.
The arson case was prosecuted in federal court because Reeves is a member of the Cherokee Nation and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation.
Officials Cite Danger to Family and Community
U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester said Reeves repeatedly targeted law enforcement before escalating to an arson attack that endangered an entire family.
“Although the significant trauma and harm caused by Reeves’ criminal acts cannot be erased, today’s sentence ensures that he is unable to cause further harm in our community,” Troester said.
ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian W. Garner said the case demonstrated the importance of cooperation among federal, state, tribal and local agencies.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Director Greg Mashburn also credited the agencies involved with quickly apprehending Reeves and gathering evidence that supported the prosecution.
In announcing the sentence, Judge Wyrick described Reeves’ conduct as deeply troubling and said protecting the public from future crimes was a consideration. The judge also said Reeves demonstrated a profound lack of respect for the law and law enforcement and that his actions could have resulted in the deaths of innocent people.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, McClain County Sheriff’s Office, Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Newcastle Police Department and Washington Police Department, with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office for Oklahoma’s 21st Judicial District.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Ganote prosecuted the case.
