David Anthony Romannose, Sexual Abuse of a Child, Oklahoma 2023

A Stilwell man faces serious charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a minor in 2017 near Vinita, Oklahoma.

David Anthony Romannose, 44, a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, was charged by criminal complaint with sexual abuse of a child in Indian Country and aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country.

The alleged crime occurred on July 4, 2017, when Romannose accompanied a group traveling through northeastern Oklahoma after attending a festival in Seiling. While in the vehicle, he allegedly sexually assaulted the victim in the backseat near Vinita, in Craig County, while traveling on the Will Rogers Turnpike/Interstate Highway I-44.

The victim, an Oneida Indian Nation citizen, also reported that Romannose allegedly abused her after the group arrived home in New York. The abuse was later disclosed to a counselor and family member.

Romannose is currently being held pending trial. A criminal complaint is a temporary charge alleging violation of the law, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI, Oneida Indian Nation Police, and Craig County Sheriff's Office are leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina S. Gilmore is prosecuting the case.

A federal Grand Jury must return an Indictment within 30 days for the case to proceed to trial, at which time the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant's guilt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/stilwell-man-charged-sexual-abuse-child-indian-country