Matthew Ray Jones Pleads Guilty to Murder in Indian Country
- mike33692
- 4 hours ago
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Matthew Ray Jones Pleads Guilty to Murder in Indian Country
Matthew Ray Jones of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty as an adult to federal charges connected to the 2025 shooting deaths of two men in Garvin County.
Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Indian Country and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He now faces the possibility of life in federal prison.
Matthew Ray Jones admits role in deadly Wynnewood shooting
The killings happened in April 2025 at a residence located on a marijuana grow property near Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma, Jones and a co-defendant entered the residence armed with handguns.
During the break-in, 56-year-old Bao Ming Ma and 42-year-old Alejandro Hernandez were shot and killed.
Items were then stolen from the property.
As part of his federal guilty plea, Jones admitted that he personally shot and killed one of the victims and aided and abetted in the murder of the second victim.
Jones was a juvenile when the crimes occurred. However, the case moved forward with Jones being prosecuted as an adult, and he entered his guilty plea as an adult in federal court.
The case was investigated as part of the federal government's jurisdiction over certain crimes committed in Indian Country in Oklahoma.
Federal jurisdiction tied to Chickasaw Nation boundaries
The murders occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation, while Jones is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Those circumstances placed the murder case under federal jurisdiction.
Federal prosecutors have handled an increasing number of major crimes committed within tribal reservation boundaries in Oklahoma following changes to criminal jurisdiction resulting from the U.S. Supreme Court's McGirt decision and subsequent court rulings.
The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about federal responsibilities involving criminal justice and tribal nations.
Jones ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Indian Country and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The firearm charge is significant because federal law allows additional prison time when a gun is used or discharged during certain violent crimes.
Jones faces up to life in federal prison along with a potential fine of as much as $500,000.
A sentencing date has not yet been announced.
Co-defendant Whyitt Collins sentenced to life without parole
Jones was not the only person charged in connection with the double homicide near Wynnewood.
His co-defendant, Whyitt Collins, faced charges in Oklahoma state court for his role in the killings.
According to OKC FOX, Collins previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and burglary.
Collins was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jones' case proceeded separately through the federal court system because of the Indian Country jurisdiction involved.
The guilty plea means Jones will not face a federal trial on the charges. Instead, the case now moves into the sentencing phase, where a federal judge will determine his punishment.
The sentence will be determined after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors allowed under federal law.
Jones remains in federal custody while awaiting sentencing.
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