logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
A: Main, News
July 18, 2024
Alleged kidnapper caught in Checotah
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

Crossed state lines with victim from Texas

On Thursday, July 11, in the early morning hours, Checotah Chief of Police Darren Glover and Lieutenant Marvin Harrell responded to an urgent call by the manager of Checotah Stop, Sheila Ward, regarding an alleged kidnapping.

Ward, who has worked at Checotah Stop for seven years, had opened the store that morning when a man came in to prepay for his gas with a young girl.

“They came into the store together but she went straight to the bathroom and he came prepaid for the gas,” Ward said. “After she came out of the bathroom, she found me and asked for help.”

That’s when the young girl told Ward to call the police and Ward made the quick decision to call the police department directly and put her phone on speaker while the man was still pumping gas outside.

“We only had a few minutes so I knew we had to act fast. I just said I needed an officer and then I had her tell them what was going on. That’s when she said she had been kidnapped and needed help.”

Ward stated she didn’t try to hide the girl or keep her in the store because she didn’t know if the man had a weapon or not. So she just acted like nothing was wrong when he entered the store again to retrieve his change.

“The girl was really scared. I have never seen fear in someone’s eyes like that before. I was worried that he would get away but then I saw the officers coming through the intersection.”

When the officers arrived, the suspect was pulling out from the gas station but Glover was able to pull him over on a traffic violation as Harrell pulled out the juvenile from the passenger’s side.

“It all happened so fast, I honestly didn’t have time to think, just react. I know I saved her life. After the police had him and she was safe, I couldn’t stop crying. You just replay every moment over and over in your head. I’m just so thankful to the Checotah Police Department for responding so fast too.”

According to the police report, 27-yearold Marco Almanza from Collins, TX, was booked for kidnapping the 14-year-old juvenile from her home in McKinney, TX and then driving her across state lines.

Police stated the juvenile had met Almanza through TikTok and had agreed to meet him. However, when she went outside her home to meet him, he threatened to harm her family and she was forced to get into the vehicle with him.

Checotah PD hopes parents and guardians realize that these types of crimes are on the rise and they should watch their children’s social media accounts closely to keep predators at bay.

Investigator Jacob Mitchell will be seeking federal charges on Almanza.

Mitchell is part of TACETT (Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force) started by Homeland Security to help combat the trafficking and exploitation of minors in the eastern part of Oklahoma.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
this is a test
D is for Duvall
A: Main, News...
D is for Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 11, 2025
When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
this is a test
Checotah FFA earns historic award
A: Main, News...
Checotah FFA earns historic award
September 11, 2025
The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling
By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT 
September 11, 2025
Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
this is a test
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
A: Main, News...
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
September 11, 2025
Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A site out of this world
A: Main, News...
A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 11, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
this is a test
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
News
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
September 11, 2025
Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
this is a test
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
News
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
this is a test
News
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
this is a test
News
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 11, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy