Transient Man Living in Tulsa Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

TULSA, Okla. - A transient man was sentenced today for failing to register as a sex offender after being arrested living near more than 10 childcare facilities in South Tulsa, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Kenneth James Sequichie, 47, to 20 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Upon his release, Sequichie will be required to register as a sex offender.

Court records show that Sequichie was convicted of lewd molestation in two separate State court cases. In 2000, he received a 10-year suspended sentence. After his second offense in 2003, he was ordered to serve 15 years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Sequichie has a lengthy criminal history and has been convicted of 28 offenses, including physically abusing a child, violently assaulting others, possessing illegal firearms, dealing drugs, escaping custody, and failing to maintain his sex
offender registry.

After being released for his latest conviction of child abuse and aggravated assault and battery, he registered as a sex offender and claimed that he was living in Tahlequah. However, Cherokee Nation Marshals discovered that Sequichie had left Tahlequah and was homeless. When marshals began investigating Sequichie's whereabouts, they discovered that he had registered for SNAP benefits and claimed to be living in Bunch, Oklahoma. However, he was primarily buying food at gas stations in South Tulsa, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

When Sequichie was arrested by Tulsa Police officers in South Tulsa, he was living under a bridge, near more than 10 childcare facilities or schools.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service investigated the case with the assistance of the Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michele Hulgaard prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, local, and tribal resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.