In a move that has added fuel to an already heated debate over state sovereignty and indigenous rights, Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma has appointed Russ Cochran to act as a special prosecutor. This decision comes directly as a response to Attorney General Gentner Drummond's recent actions, which Governor Stitt has vigorously opposed. Just yesterday, it was reported by the Office of the Governor that "State and federal courts have been clear. The State of Oklahoma can prosecute Indians who commit non-major crimes in our state."
Cochran is no stranger to the legal landscape in Oklahoma, having served as both an Assistant District Attorney and as General Counsel for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. While his appointment is meant to strictly enforce state hunting laws, it also appears to directly challenge the Attorney General's recent directive to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (OWDC). Governor Stitt has vowed not to stand back and allow Drummond to "I will not stand by and allow lawless Drummond to undermine district attorneys who are prosecuting crimes and keeping Oklahomans safe." Drummond's actions notably included seizing a case from a district attorney who was moving forward with charges against an individual for illegal hunting and instructing the OWDC not to issue tickets to tribal members caught hunting illegally in the state.
The controversy hinges on the balance between state and federal jurisdiction, especially in light of eastern Oklahoma's complicated legal landscape post-McGirt decision. Governor Stitt emphasized this balance when he said, "I want to thank Russ Cochran for his willingness to pursue charges against those who break the law in Oklahoma," emphasizing the belief that all Oklahomans should be treated equally under the law, regardless of political pressures, according to the Office of the Governor's website.
Russ Cochran, a prosecutor with more than 17 years of experience and a past recipient of the Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Enforcers’ Prosecutor of the Year award, has been appointed to a new position. Cochran has also served as an Air Force officer and taught at several police academies and universities across the state. Tribal and civic leaders are monitoring the appointment due to its potential impact on the relationship between state authority and tribal sovereignty.
