Tulsa Man Indicted in Sexual Assault Case as FBI Seeks Victims
A Tulsa man has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to alleged sexual assaults, and the FBI is seeking information that could help identify additional potential victims.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma announced the indictment September 2, 2026. Deleon Milford Cooks, 24, of Tulsa is detained pending trial and faces several charges connected to alleged conduct in Indian Country.
According to the Justice Department, the indictment includes two counts of aggravated sexual abuse by force and threat, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and one count involving carrying, using or brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Additional Charges Listed
Prosecutors also charged Cooks with two counts of assaulting an intimate or dating partner by strangulation and one count of sexual abuse without consent. The charges relate to alleged conduct within federal Indian Country jurisdiction.
Court documents cited by prosecutors allege that Cooks knowingly forced two victims to engage in sexual activity while placing them in fear of death, serious bodily injury or kidnapping. The allegations have not been tested at trial.
FBI Seeks Potential Victims
The FBI’s effort to identify possible additional victims is a significant part of the investigation. Authorities sometimes seek information from members of the public when investigators believe a suspect may have interacted with additional people whose experiences could be relevant to a criminal case.
Potential witnesses or victims can provide information through official law-enforcement channels. People with information should rely on the FBI or the relevant U.S. Attorney’s Office rather than attempting to investigate a case themselves.
Federal Court Process
Because Cooks has been indicted and detained pending trial, the case will proceed through the federal criminal justice system. The prosecution must prove each charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt if the case reaches trial.
Federal criminal cases can involve pretrial hearings, motions concerning evidence, negotiations between prosecutors and defense attorneys, and potentially a jury trial. The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the charges and the issues raised by both sides.
Importance of Due Process
The allegations are serious, but an indictment is not a conviction. Cooks is presumed innocent unless and until a court determines that prosecutors have proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
That principle is particularly important in cases involving sexual violence, where allegations can be deeply consequential for victims, defendants and communities. Reporting should distinguish clearly between allegations contained in court documents and facts established through a judicial finding.
Investigation Continues
The FBI and federal prosecutors are continuing their work as the case moves forward. The request for information from potential victims suggests investigators are seeking to establish the full scope of the alleged conduct.
Hudson Tribune will continue to report verified developments in the case, including court decisions, additional charges, trial proceedings and any official updates concerning the FBI’s investigation. Related federal court coverage.
