Photo Caption: Jeremy and Tyler Reece.
One of two brothers accused of killing a Pawhuska oilman has been transferred to federal custody.
According to booking records, Tyler Reece was moved to the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center in Tulsa Thursday afternoon on a hold from the U.S. Marshal Service.
Reece and his brother, Jeremy, could face prosecution in up to three different jurisdictions in connection with the September 2015 death of Rick Holt.
Jeremy Reece is still incarcerated in the Osage County Jail.
The case has been in limbo for more than two years thanks to jurisdictional questions. The Reece brothers are citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Holt’s body was found on Osage land, thus opening the door for proceedings in federal or tribal court under the Major Crimes Act. The state of Oklahoma’s authority in the proceedings hinges on where the kill shot was delivered, which remains a point of contention.
A spokesman for the U.S. Marshal Service’s Tulsa office confirmed Friday morning that Tyler Reece was transferred to federal custody but declined to elaborate as to why.
Calls to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tulsa were not returned by the close of business Friday.
As of noon Friday, no charges have been filed against either brother in the federal court system.
A preliminary hearing is still scheduled for both Reeces at 10 a.m. May 21 in Osage County District Court.
The Osage Nation filed first-degree homicide charges in May 2016 to ensure the brothers remained in custody after the state of Oklahoma missed an appeal deadline.
If convicted in tribal court, the brothers could face up to one year in jail, a $5,000 fine and banishment from Osage lands for 20 years.
By
Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton
Original Publish Date: 2018-03-30 00:00:00