Brett Dewayne Cole, Child Sex Abuse, Oklahoma 2023

Muskogee, Oklahoma – In a shocking case of child exploitation, Brett Dewayne Cole, a 34-year-old McCurtain County resident, has been sentenced to life in prison for each of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country and for one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country. The sentences will run concurrently.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On March 7, 2023, Cole was found guilty by a federal jury after presenting evidence that he had sexually assaulted a minor female in his custody and care whom he knew to be under the age of twelve between January and May of 2019. Two other witnesses testified that Cole also assaulted them when they were under the age of twelve.

The crimes took place in McCurtain County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. ‘Thanks to the bravery of the victims who testified in this case, Mr. Cole will never again be able to abuse another child, and our community is a much safer place for everyone,’ said Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph Skarda of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.

‘Mr. Cole’s appalling crimes against children warrant these life sentences,’ said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. ‘My heart goes out to the brave individuals who survived Mr. Cole’s assaults, and who summoned the courage necessary to report and provide witness to his crimes. Together with investigators and prosecutors, they have ensured that Mr. Cole is no longer at liberty to prey on others.’

The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the sentencing hearing. Cole will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States at the sentencing hearing. The case highlights the severity of child sex abuse and the importance of reporting such crimes. If you or someone you know has been a victim of child sex abuse, please contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

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