A former Vinita preacher is facing federal indictment for the sexual abuse of five minors, ages 7 to 16 at the time of the assaults. Roy Edward Williams, 63, was charged this week in a sweeping federal indictment that details years of predatory conduct stretching from November 2002 to December 2018.
Williams is charged with Coercion and Enticement of a Minor in Indian Country (Counts 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8); Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country (Counts 2, 4, 9); Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor Between 12 and 16 Years Old in Indian Country (Count 7); and Possession of Child Pornography (Count 11). The crimes allegedly occurred within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, where federal jurisdiction applies.
According to the indictment, Williams, who served as a preacher at Bunker Hill Baptist Church in Vinita, used his position of trust to exploit vulnerable children. He is accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of several victims, paying or offering them money or items after abuse, and threatening them to ensure silence. The psychological and physical toll on the victims spanned more than a decade.
On June 24, 2019, law enforcement discovered Williams in possession of child pornography, leading to the broader investigation. The FBI, Craig County Sheriff’s Office, and Cherokee Nation Marshal Service launched a coordinated probe, uncovering patterns of manipulation and control that allowed Williams to evade accountability for years.
The case previously appeared in Craig County District Court but was dismissed in April 2021 after it was confirmed that Williams is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the crimes occurred in Indian Country. The Cherokee Nation Attorney General’s Office swiftly filed tribal charges, and Williams remains in tribal custody awaiting trial. The new federal charges add another layer of legal peril.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson confirmed the indictment, emphasizing that justice is being pursued on multiple fronts. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah Paisner and Edward Snow are prosecuting the federal case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI are urging additional victims to come forward by contacting the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office at (405) 290-7770. An indictment is not a conviction—Williams is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Related Federal Cases
- Roy Edward Williams Charged in Child Sex Abuse Case · Oklahoma
- Ada Man Guilty of Sexual Abuse of Two Minors in Indian Country · Oklahoma
- Stilwell Predator Sentenced to 35 Years for Aggravated Sexual Abuse · Oklahoma
- Fort Sill Serviceman Sentenced to Life for Sexual Abuse · Oklahoma
- Amanda Hock Pleads Guilty to Inmate Sex Abuse at El Reno · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes