Overview:
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Predatory Crimes Unit arrested a 25-year-old U.S. service member on multiple felony charges, including rape and kidnapping, stemming from the alleged sexual assault of a teenager on Cherokee Nation land in Oklahoma.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Predatory Crimes Unit late last month arrested David Hunter Walters, 25, on multiple felony charges stemming from accusations of raping and kidnapping a teen on Cherokee Nation land. He is being held in the Ottawa County Jail in Miami, Okla., the capital and headquarters of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.
Walters is charged with sexual battery, four counts of first-degree rape by force and fear, rape by instrumentation, and kidnapping.
KSNF Joplin reported that Walters told investigators he was unaware of the victim’s age and claimed ignorance of the age of consent in Oklahoma. Snapchat messages between Walters and the victim indicate he knew the teen’s age.
According to the court affidavit, the teen’s 20-year-old-sister discovered Walters raping the victim in their mother’s bed. He threatened the sisters and held his hand over their mouths during the attack. Walters is a member of the U.S. military and was stationed at Fort Sill at the time of the assault.
A search of Walters’ phone found 27 images and two videos of child sexual abuse material, according to the affidavit.
The BIA Predatory Crimes Unit was requested to assist by the Fairland Police Department and the Afton Police Department. The unit was created in May of this year, and specializes in investigating crimes against children, sexual assault offenses, and technology-facilitated and cyber-enabled crimes spanning tribal jurisdiction.
