By Cara Cowan Watts, Cherokee411.com
TULSA, Okla. (Aug. 7, 2026)
The FBI is asking the public for help identifying additional potential victims of a 19-year-old Tulsa man named this week in a federal grand jury indictment alleging he sexually abused two minors and fired a weapon during a violent confrontation at a quinceañera. The case is being prosecuted in the Northern District of Oklahoma and is proceeding in parallel in Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Court, underscoring the jurisdictional complexity that has defined Indian Country criminal cases since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 McGirt v. Oklahoma decision.
Cherokee411 is covering this case because the alleged offenses occurred within Muscogee (Creek) Nation jurisdictional boundaries that border Cherokee Nation and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) jurisdiction. Cherokee Nation and UKB citizens may be among the additional victims the FBI is seeking, or may otherwise have information relevant to the investigation.
The Charges
Joseph Scott Warledo, 19, of Tulsa and a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, is charged in a federal indictment with two counts of sexual abuse of an incapable victim, two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country, and carrying, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Court documents allege Warledo engaged in sexual acts with two victims who were physically incapable of declining or communicating willingness, in incidents in 2025. Prosecutors also allege he engaged in a sexual act with a minor victim under 16 on three separate occasions while he was at least four years older than the victim. He is further accused of assaulting a victim with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are investigating. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blithe Cravens is prosecuting the case. An indictment is an allegation only; Warledo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
FBI Seeking Additional Victims
The FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office said it is trying to identify other potential victims of Warledo, who also goes by “Bando.” Investigators believe he primarily targeted minor female victims between March 2025 and June 2026. Anyone who believes they or a minor dependent was victimized, or who has information relevant to the investigation, is asked to complete the FBI’s online victim information form. Those who know a possible victim are asked to encourage that person to submit the form directly.
Underlying Allegations
According to a criminal complaint reported by Tulsa World, the mother of a 13-year-old victim told Sand Springs police in June 2025 that her daughter had been raped in late May or early June 2025 at an apartment, after becoming unconscious from drinking alcohol. The mother said her daughter and another minor had met Warledo and other men after first connecting on social media. A minor witness told police Warledo later admitted to having sex with the 13-year-old.
In a second case, a 15-year-old girl told Broken Arrow police she was sexually assaulted in late March or early April 2025 at an apartment belonging to Warledo’s brother, after sneaking out of her parents’ home and drinking until she blacked out. She told police she later saw a group-chat message in which Warledo allegedly admitted to raping her.
The complaint also connects Warledo to a July 19, 2025 shooting at the 15-year-old victim’s quinceañera at an event center in the 800 block of North Sheridan Road in Tulsa. Warledo allegedly arrived uninvited, got into a confrontation with a friend of the victim, and fired shots at him and others before fleeing.
Tribal Court Proceedings
Warledo has been held in custody since June 16, 2026, initially on charges filed by Muscogee (Creek) Nation prosecutors. Tribal prosecutors charged him April 6, 2026 with one count of aggravated assault, and on June 18, 2026 with one count of receiving stolen property, according to Tulsa World.
Resources
Anyone with information, or who believes they or a minor dependent may have been victimized, is asked to complete the FBI’s online form. Those affected by sexual violence can also access support through the Cherokee Nation and other tribal victim services offices.
Links & Sources
FBI Victim Information Form: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Oklahoma, press release (Aug. 6, 2026): Tulsa Man Federally Indicted for Sexually Abusing Two Victims — https://www.justice.gov/usao-
Tulsa World, “19-year-old jailed in sexual assaults as authorities seek other victims,” by Curtis Killman (Aug. 7, 2026) — https://tulsaworld.com/news/
KOKH/Fox 25 OKC, “FBI seeking victims after Oklahoma man charged with sexually abusing incapacitated victims,” by Kimberly Querry-Thompson (Aug. 6, 2026) — https://okcfox.com/news/local/
News On 6, “Tulsa man indicted on child sex abuse, assault charges” — https://www.newson6.com/crime/
KFOR, “FBI looking for potential victims of Tulsa man targeting minors” — https://kfor.com/news/local/
