Denise Sue Watie, Failing to Register as Sex Offender, Oklahoma 2017

Tahlequah Woman Sentenced to 24 Months for Failing to Register as Sex Offender

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Denise Sue Watie, a 44-year-old woman from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison and 6 years of supervised release for her failure to register as a sex offender.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced the sentencing, which arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service.

According to the indictment, Watie failed to register and update her registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act from June 2017 until December 19, 2017. She was required to register due to her felony conviction from Tulsa County, Oklahoma on January 24, 2005, for Sexually Abusing a Minor Child.

The sex offender registration law is in place to protect the public and ensure that those who have committed sex crimes are held accountable for their actions. The United States Marshals Service played a crucial role in investigating Watie’s failure to register, and the United States Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute her for violating federal law.

United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester praised the work of the United States Marshals Service, stating, “One of the public safety functions of the United States Marshals Service is to investigate violations of the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act. Because of that agency’s work, the United States Attorney’s office was able to prosecute the defendant and hold her accountable for violating federal law.”

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States. Watie will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which she will serve her non-paroleable sentence.

The public should be aware that failure to register as a sex offender is a serious federal offense that can result in significant penalties, including imprisonment and supervised release. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who violate federal law are held accountable.

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