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Date: 09-28-2022

Case Style:

United States of America v. Jessica Lavon McBride

Case Number: 4:21-cr-00161

Judge: John F Heil, III

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma (Tulsa County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office

Defendant's Attorney:



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Description: Tulsa, Oklahoma criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with voluntary manslaughter in Indiana Country and attempted arson in connectin with a 2019 strangulation death.

Jessica Lavon McBride, 30, admitted she strangled Tracy Elaine Russell, 49, on March 17, 2019, at Russell’s home in the 4900 block of North Johnstown Avenue after the pair argued over food stamps.

“Jessica McBride stayed in the home of the victim, and in return, she took her life because of missing food stamps,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “My office and our law enforcement partners at the Tulsa Police Department and FBI will continue to hold perpetrators, like McBride, accountable for their criminal acts.”

The victim, Tracy Russell, had previously allowed the defendant and her boyfriend to stay with her in exchange for assistance with groceries but at a later time, requested the two leave her Tulsa residence.

In her plea agreement, McBride admitted to returning to the residence and killing the victim by strangulation on March 17, 2019. McBride said she committed the crime during a heated argument that started when she accused the victim of stealing her food stamps. Those claims were never substantiated.

In an effort to destroy evidence, McBride admitted that she covered the victim with a blanket and attempted to set the victim’s body and residence on fire. Her attempt failed, and McBride made plans to return, asking another individual to assist in setting the place on fire.

That individual reported the crime and McBride’s plan to authorities on March 20, 2019. That night, the individual and an undercover investigator picked up McBride and drove to the victim’s residence. McBride exited the vehicle carrying a plastic bag, which was later found to contain gas camp fuel and lighter fluid, and entered the residence through a window with the intention of setting the place on fire. Tulsa police officers then directed McBride out of the residence and took her into custody. Officers also recovered the victim’s body.

The Tulsa Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Buscemi and Robert T. Raley are prosecuting the case.

18 USC 1151, 1152, and 1111: Second Degree Murder in Indian Country
(1)
18 USC 1151, 1152, and 1112(a): Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country
(1s)
18 USC 1151, 1152, and 1112(a): Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country
(1ss)
18 USC 1151, 1152, and 81: Arson in Indian Country
(2)
18 USC 1151, 1152, and 81: Attempt to Commit Arson in Indian Country
(2s)
18 USC 844(i): Attempt to Commit Arson
(2ss)
18 USC 1512(c)(1): Corruptly Attempting to Alter, Destroy, Mutilate, and Conceal an Object to Impair its Use in an Official Proceeding
(3)
18 USC 1151, 1153, and 81: Attempt to Commit Arson in Indian Country
(4)

Outcome: Defendant pleaded guilty.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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