Understanding the Feud Between the Muscogee Creek Nation and Okmulgee County Jail
My name is Ted Hasse. I’m a Muscogee Nation tribal court attorney practicing in federal and tribal courts here in Oklahoma. Now that we’re in 2025, I want to give an update on the ongoing feud between the Muscogee Creek Nation and the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority.
Background of the Dispute
Looking back to late 2023, Light Horse Police—the law enforcement agency of the Muscogee Creek Nation—transported a prisoner to the Okmulgee County Jail and sought to have that person booked. The policy at the time, and as far as I know still in place, is that Okmulgee County and its Sheriff’s Department do not accept prisoners from the Creek Nation.
The situation quickly escalated. A Light Horse officer ended up in the booking area, and one of the jail staff, Matthew Joseph Douglas, attempted to remove him. The Nation took the position that this amounted to an assault on a Light Horse Police officer.
Legal and Jurisdictional Issues
I’ve confirmed that the officer in question was not Native American. But, due to the expansion of tribal jurisdiction under the 2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, tribes now have jurisdiction in certain cases involving non-Native defendants and non-Native victims. This case fell into that narrow category.
The Nation acted aggressively. They issued a warrant, showed up at the jail in force, and arrested Douglas. He was arraigned in Muscogee Creek Nation court. At that point, I would have expected cooler heads to step in, maybe even some federal mediation, to prevent things from escalating further. But that hasn’t happened.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Instead, Douglas’s attorneys filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in federal court—the Eastern District of Oklahoma, which sits in Muskogee. That’s Muskogee with a “K,” the city, not Muscogee with a “C,” which refers to the Nation. The petition essentially asks the federal court to determine whether the Creek Nation even has authority to bring this case, or whether federal statutes bar it.
The Creek Nation, on the other hand, argues that Douglas cannot go directly to federal court. Their position is that he must go through the full tribal court process, including appeal to the Muscogee Creek Nation Supreme Court, before seeking relief in federal court.
Current Status and Future Outlook
The last filing in the case was in June 2024—a reply in support of a motion to dismiss filed by the Creek Nation prosecutors. Since then, there’s been no movement. When a case stalls like this, it often means neither side has much interest in forcing the issue, and both may be waiting to see how things play out.
This remains a significant jurisdictional dispute, and possibly an issue of first impression at the federal level. The outcome could shape how tribal courts handle criminal cases involving non-Native defendants going forward, especially in these limited circumstances created by federal law.
Get Legal Help Today – Free Consultation
I’ll continue to watch this closely. If you’re facing issues in Muscogee Creek Nation court or in federal court in Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to call us. You can reach Muscogee Creek Nation criminal defense attorney Ted Hasse at 918-932-2800. We’re here to help you navigate this complex legal landscape—schedule your free consultation today.
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