Bureau of Indian Affairs Announces Arrest in Investigation of Alleged Online Child Exploitation Offenses in Northeast Oklahoma

MIAMI, Okla. - The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services announced the arrest of Kase Matthew Wiegand, 26, of Miami, Oklahoma, on felony charges alleging the solicitation of sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

"Protecting Native children and ensuring the safety of tribal communities is one of our highest responsibilities," said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland. "The establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Predatory Crimes Unit reflects our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who exploit or seek to harm children in Indian Country. I commend the outstanding partnership among the Quapaw Nation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, local law enforcement, and everyone whose vigilance and swift action helped bring this investigation forward. Under Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum's leadership, we will continue working to hold offenders accountable and strengthen public safety for tribal communities."

A felony arrest warrant was issued for Wiegand on July 17, 2026, by the District Court of Oklahoma's Thirteenth Judicial District. Wiegand was taken into custody without incident by officers with the Miami Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and booked into the Ottawa County Jail.

At the time of the alleged offenses, Wiegand resided within the boundaries of the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma Reservation and was employed as a security officer at Quapaw Casino, located within the boundaries of the Quapaw Nation Reservation.

According to court documents, the investigation began after Quapaw Casino surveillance personnel observed Wiegand using his personal cell phone while on duty to engage in explicit online communications. Surveillance staff reported the activity to the Quapaw Nation, which immediately notified law enforcement and suspended Wiegand's employment, enabling investigators to respond quickly.

The subsequent investigation identified two CyberTipline reports previously submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children that investigators linked to phone numbers and online accounts associated with Wiegand.

Investigators later executed federal search warrants at Wiegand's residence, on his person, and on his vehicle. During the searches, law enforcement seized digital devices, including a cellular phone that investigators allege contained additional evidence.

The investigation was led by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Predatory Crimes Unit, which was established under Secretary's Order 3450, signed by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on May 5, 2026, to strengthen the Department's efforts to investigate crimes against children and other vulnerable victims in Indian Country.

The case was investigated by the BIA Predatory Crimes Unit and the Quapaw Nation Marshal Service, with assistance from the Miami Police Department, the Miami Nation Police Department, and the District 13 Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs thanks the Quapaw Casino surveillance personnel and the Quapaw Nation for their prompt reporting and cooperation throughout the investigation. Their actions, along with the coordinated efforts of tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, were instrumental in advancing the case.

The charges contained in the arrest warrant are allegations only. Wiegand is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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