A routine warrant arrest in northern Cherokee County has turned into a criminal case against one of the deputies who helped make it.
Cherokee County Deputy Justin Daniel Richardson was fired and arrested after investigators say he struck a handcuffed man during the Feb. 12, 2026 arrest of Darren Howard south of Peggs. Richardson faces one count of assault and battery and is scheduled for an initial appearance on April 13, 2026. Howard, who was wanted on outstanding felony warrants, was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center after the arrest.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to a court affidavit filed in Cherokee County District Court, Richardson initiated a foot pursuit of Howard south of Peggs before officers found Howard hiding in a wooded area and placed him under arrest. Detention staff later reported that Howard complained of blurred vision, spit up bloody mucus, and was taken to an emergency room.
The affidavit lays out statements from Cherokee Nation deputy marshals, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers, and county detention staff who took part in the search and booking. Investigators say Richardson filed a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office use-of-force report in which he admitted striking Howard with his elbow while attempting to gain compliance. Cherokee Nation Marshal Director Daniel Mead contacted the sheriff’s office after a deputy marshal reported seeing Richardson knee Howard in the head while Howard was being handcuffed, and KJRH reports that Richardson was terminated after those marshal statements were brought to county investigators.
Witness Words and Bodycam Footage
Statements quoted in the affidavit include a handwritten report that attributes to Richardson the remark, “If we find this guy, I want some time with him before he goes into cuffs.” The document also quotes another statement attributed to Richardson: “Fuck him, he burnt my truck, he’s got one coming.”
The same filing describes body-worn camera footage from Cherokee Nation deputy marshals that captured parts of the arrest. According to the affidavit, the marshals’ cameras show Howard complying with orders and lying prone on the ground when the alleged knee strike occurred.
Body Cameras and the Use-of-Force Story
The affidavit and news reporting state that Richardson initially told supervisors his body camera was not activated during the foot pursuit. A later review, though, found that his camera was recording while he chased Howard and was turned off during the physical arrest.
Both the court filing and KJRH report that Richardson’s own use-of-force report acknowledged an elbow strike, while multiple Cherokee Nation deputy marshals gave statements that contradicted his version of how the arrest played out.
Court Filings and What Comes Next
Court records show that the state filed charges against Richardson in Cherokee County District Court under case number CM-2026-00065, with a filing date of March 19, 2026 and a warrant issued that same month. Online dockets on OSCN list a single count of “Assault & Battery” and set Richardson’s initial court appearance for April 13, 2026.
Legal Stakes for the Former Deputy
Richardson faces one count of assault and battery under state law. Title 21, Section 644 of the Oklahoma statutes outlines penalties for assault and for assault and battery, describing simple assault and battery as generally a misdemeanor that can carry possible jail time and fines, while certain aggravating factors can increase the potential penalties. Oklahoma statutes spell out how elements such as serious injury or use of a weapon can raise the severity of an assault charge.
Director Daniel Mead of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service initiated the complaint to county investigators and requested written statements and body camera footage from his deputy marshals. That move came before Richardson’s termination, and tribal records note Mead’s role as acting marshal and describe the marshal service’s jurisdiction. Cherokee Nation news documents Mead’s appointment. As of March 24, 2026, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office had not issued a public statement to media about Richardson’s arrest.
