United States of America v. Austin Garrett Reeves

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with arson in Indian County in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1153.

Reported by Kent Morlan


Austin Garrett Reeves, age 29, of Norman, Oklahoma, deliberately and repeatedly targeted law enforcement that escalated to the point of intentionally setting fire to a deputy’s vehicles and home while the deputy and his family were inside, putting innocent lives in grave danger.

on August 22, 2025, the McClain County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department responded to a reported burglary at the Washington, Oklahoma, home of an MCSO deputy. A handgun was stolen from a family vehicle, and Reeves was located nearby and arrested in connection with the burglary. He was released from the Grady County jail later that day.

Hours after his release, during the early morning of August 23, Reeves returned to the deputy’s residence with a large gas can. Surveillance video captured 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 to the residence. Although the deputy and his family members were inside the residence when it caught fire, they were all able to escape without injury. Reeves, however, was burned by the fire before fleeing the scene.

Later that day, law enforcement located Reeves at his home in Norman, where he was taken into custody following a standoff. Officers observed a significant burn on Reeves’ abdomen consistent with his involvement in the arson. Law enforcement also recovered two firearms from his bedroom.

Public records reflect that Reeves has previous felony convictions in Cleveland County District Court that include actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence in case number CF-20-937 and driving while under the influence of alcohol in case numbers CF-20-752 and CF-21-1175.

On February 3, 2026, Reeves was charged by Superseding Information with arson in Indian Country and being a felon in possession of firearms. On February 24, 2026, he pleaded guilty to the Superseding Information. As part of his plea, Reeves admitted that he willfully and maliciously set fire to the vehicles and residence, placing the lives of those inside the home at risk. He also admitted that he knowingly possessed firearms despite his previous felony convictions.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to serve 240 months in federal prison for arson in Indian Country and possession of firearms after a previous felony conviction.