BRISTOW, OKLAHOMA – A federal grand jury handed down a slew of indictments in February, exposing a dark underbelly of crime across Oklahoma. From alleged child exploitation to brazen arson and repeat immigration offenses, the charges paint a grim picture of criminal activity plaguing the state. Grimy Times has the exclusive details.
Christopher Emile Champoux, 36, of Bristow, is facing serious charges of Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, as well as Possession of Child Pornography. According to the indictment, Champoux allegedly received, distributed, and possessed child sexual abuse material between September 28, 2021, and October 28, 2022. Homeland Security Investigations and the Bristow Police Department led the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney George Jiang handling the prosecution. Case number: 23-CR-48.
The federal crackdown wasn’t limited to sex crimes. Immigration violations also featured prominently. Juan Carlos Figueroa-Hernandez, 51, a Honduran national, is accused of Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, having been previously deported on November 1, 2016, from near San Antonio, Texas. Similarly, Pedro Flores-Vivar, 49, a Mexican national, is charged with the same offense, having been removed from the U.S. on November 12, 2007, near Laredo, Texas. Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheryl L. Baber, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducting the investigations. Case numbers: 23-CR-56 and 23-CR-57, respectively.
Perhaps the most shocking case involves alleged arson inside an active jail. Justin Randall Gering, 29, of Fairland, and Tyler Levi Tavis, 22, of Miami, are charged with Arson of Property Used in an Activity Affecting Interstate and Foreign Commerce, and Damage by Fire of Property Owned by an Institution Receiving Federal Funding. The indictment alleges the pair set a fire in the Ottawa County Jail, located at 28 B Street SE in Miami, on December 23, 2022, while both were incarcerated. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office are investigating, with Assistant U.S. Attorney George Jiang prosecuting the case. Case number: 23-CR-62.
Beyond violence and exploitation, financial crimes are also being pursued. Mary Frances Hernandez, 36, of Tulsa, is accused of Wire Fraud totaling $18,917.33. From February 6, 2018, to December 19, 2018, while employed as a bookkeeper and general manager at a protective equipment supply company, Hernandez allegedly made numerous unauthorized purchases using the company’s Chase Bank corporate credit card. The U.S. Secret Service investigated, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Jiang and Richard M. Cella will prosecute. Case number: 23-CR-49.
Finally, Mauricio Hernandez-Castillo, 36, of Tulsa, faces charges of Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien and Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of a Firearm. Hernandez-Castillo is accused of reentering the United States illegally after being removed on June 29, 2018, near Houston, Texas. Adding to the severity, he’s also charged with possessing an Anderson Manufacturing multi-caliber semiautomatic pistol and 195 rounds of ammunition. The investigation was a joint effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney is handling the prosecution.
Related Federal Cases
- XPLOR Energy Hit with $3.1M Fine for Clean Water Act Violation · Oklahoma
- Gutierrez-Carranza Sentenced to 51 Months for Illegal Reentry After Felony Conviction · Oklahoma
- Knapper Hit with Embezzlement Charges · Oklahoma
- Bristow Man Indicted in Child Porn Case · Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Man Faces Life in Prison for Child Porn & Abuse · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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