McAlester man sentenced to 37 years for deadly 2022 shooting

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — A McAlester man who pleaded guilty to a deadly 2022 shooting was sentenced to 37 years in prison.

Darius Alexander Presley, 23, pleaded guilty last September to multiple counts including second degree murder in Indian Country.

According to investigators, on Dec. 2, 2022, Presley shot two people at a McAlester residence before leaving in a victim’s car.

Deputies responded and found one victim dead, with the other seriously wounded.

A multi-agency chase led law enforcement to a McAlester residence where Presley was barricaded inside. He was arrested by a Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police SWAT team.

The crimes were committed within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation.

Along with the murder charge, Presley pleaded guilty to one count of assault with the intent to commit murder in Indian Country, one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

He'll serve his prison terms concurrently.

Officials reacted to the sentence in a press release.

"This sentencing is the result of a multi-agency effort to bring a violent offender to justice," said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater.  "We hope the community feels safer knowing Mr. Presley will spend decades behind bars for his crimes."

"The defendant's vicious acts stole one innocent life and shattered the lives of many others," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.  "I know there is nothing the criminal justice system can offer to undo the tragedy or remove the heartache, but the sentence imposed will ensure the defendant will be in prison for a very long time for his senseless crimes."

Presley will remain in custody before being serving his sentence without parole in federal prison.