Federal Jury Convicts Former Durant Middle School Employee Of Sex Crimes

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Ryan John Capps, age 25, of Calera, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Coercion and Enticement, one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce a Visual Depiction, and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.

The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, April 29, 2024, and concluded on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, with the guilty verdicts on all charges.

During the trial, the United States presented evidence that in the autumn of 2022, while employed as a teacher and coach at Durant Middle School, Capps enticed a minor to produce child sexual abuse material and engage in illegal sexual activity. The crimes occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Durant Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Capps was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Jessica Bove represented the United States.