Oklahoma Man Guilty of Conspiracy, False Distress Signals, and False Statements

According to court documents, on or about August 7, 2023, MELVIN, and others, planned to fake MELVIN's death to avoid prosecution in North Carolina for a pending sex crime involving a minor. They purchased fishing gear and brought kayaks to the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Charles Parish. MELVIN removed his ankle monitor from his pending case in North Carolina. A co-conspirator then made a false distress call to the U.S. Coast Guard, causing a search and rescue operation. MELVIN was later apprehended in Georgia using an alias.

At sentencing, MELVIN faces maximum penalties of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for the conspiracy charge. For the charge of communicating a false distress message to the Coast Guard, MELVIN faces between 5 and 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing has been scheduled for January 20, 2027.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Coast Guard - Coast Guard Investigative Service and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

* * *