Deshawn Patrick: 10+ Years for Tulsa Armed Robberies

TULSA, OK – Deshawn Patrick, 19, of Tulsa, is facing over a decade behind bars after being sentenced Tuesday for a pair of brazen armed robberies that terrorized victims in the city. Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III handed down a 121-month federal prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, bringing a measure of justice to the victims and a warning to would-be criminals.

Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson didn’t mince words, stating, “Deshawn Patrick, armed with a firearm, committed two robberies against a teenager and an elderly man.” He continued, emphasizing the danger Patrick posed: “Patrick posed a serious danger to the public and will spend more than 10 years in prison for his violent acts.” The sentence sends a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in Oklahoma.

Patrick pleaded guilty on August 23, 2021, to two counts of robbery in Indian Country. The first incident, occurring on September 6, 2020, involved a minor victim. Patrick, along with a codefendant and two juvenile accomplices, confronted the teen, brandishing a firearm and demanding the victim’s phone, car keys, and the vehicle itself. They then made off with the stolen car.

The second robbery, committed on October 18, 2020, was far more brutal. Patrick and a juvenile accomplice targeted a 74-year-old man inside his garage. They forcibly gained entry to the victim’s home by pointing semi-automatic pistols at him. Patrick then escalated the violence, striking the elderly man in the head with a pistol, rendering him unconscious before stealing his keys and wallet. The victim sustained lacerations to his head as a result of the assault and the theft of his vehicle.

Both victims are citizens of the Muscogee Nation, and the crimes took place within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation Reservation, falling under federal jurisdiction. This detail highlights the complex interplay between tribal, state, and federal law enforcement in Oklahoma. The investigation was a joint effort between the Tulsa Police Department and the FBI, demonstrating the power of interagency cooperation in tackling violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan H. Heatherman and Reagan V. Reininger skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a substantial sentence. While no amount of time can fully undo the trauma inflicted on the victims, this outcome offers a degree of closure and reinforces the commitment of federal authorities to protect vulnerable citizens from violent predators like Deshawn Patrick.