Defendant pleads guilty to arson in Indian Country (DOJ)

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Dillon Lee Vail, age 33, entered a guilty plea to one count of Arson in Indian Country, punishable by up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Indictment alleged that on May 13, 2026, Vail willfully and maliciously set fire to and burned the Fairfield Inn and Suites, a building and dwelling, placing the life of any person in jeopardy.

The crime occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department, the Muskogee Fire Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Honorable D. Edward Snow, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Vail will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Pippin represented the United States.