Source: United States Department of Justice News
A Bartlesville man was charged for killing a Washington County couple and made an initial appearance Monday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Lucas Anthony Walker, 20, was charged by Criminal Complaint with first degree murder in Indian Country and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
On January 20, 2023, personnel from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a home near Dewey, Oklahoma, to conduct a welfare check based on the suspicious disappearance of the couple, Deborah and Larry Dutton, who lived there.
Walker and a minor were occupying the residence when law enforcement arrived. During a search of the residence, blood and other evidence was discovered indicating a crime had likely taken place.
Investigators allege that on or about Dec. 19, 2022, Lucas entered the home while the victims were sleeping and murdered the couple. They further allege that he and the minor later buried the victims in the home’s back yard.
This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The FBI, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric O. Johnston and Shakema M. Onais are prosecuting the case.