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Cave pleads guilty to burglary, gets 24 years
News
June 5, 2025
Cave pleads guilty to burglary, gets 24 years
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR,

Trenton Cave, 21, of Eufaula, has pled guilty to 16 charges stemming from a short-lived robbery spree in December 2024.

On May 28, District Judge Mike Hogan sentenced Cave to a total of 24 years in prison, 10 years for possession of a stolen credit card and conspiracy, and one year each for 14 individual charges including burglary, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and others. On April 24 an accomplice pled guilty to 13 charges, including four counts of accessory to burglary in the third degree; accessory to credit/debit card theft; four counts of conspiracy to commit a felony; possession of a firearm in the commission of felony and knowingly concealing stolen property.

Jodi Shelea Hays, 20, of Checotah, was sentenced to 10 years, all suspended.

Between them, two young burglary suspects face almost 30 felony and misdemeanor counts after being caught on video breaking into cars at a residence in a rural area near Eufaula.

Upon further investigation, it is alleged that the pair burglarized numerous residences and vehicles in McIntosh and Pittsburg counties.

Cave and Hays are accused of acting in concert in their burglary spree, with Hays driving and Cave doing most of the burglarizing.

A video presented as evidence during a hearing allegedly shows Cave breaking into three vehicles at one site while carrying a rifle and repeatedly pointing it at the residence.

Both were arrested on Dec. 30 and arraigned on multiple charges on Jan. 7, when Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.

He set bond for Cave at $1 million and for Hays at $100,000.

Investigator Kevin Branscum with District Attorney’s Office District 25 outlined the chain of events in a probable cause affidavit leading up to the arrests.

He said that on Dec. 29 Dustin Berry of rural McIntosh County that three vehicles parked outside his residence had been burglarized.

“Berry explained that upon the discovery that items were stolen from his vehicle, he began reviewing home video surveillance tapes and observed an unknown male enter his property on foot and proceed to burglarize three vehicles …” About $1,775 worth of merchandise were taken in that theft, he said.

Through his investigation, Branscum says he identified Cave and Hays as the suspects and went to their residence, where numerous items reportedly taken in burglaries were found.

He also identified four more victims of burglaries, allegedly by the two suspects.

One of the victims lost about $1,500 worth of property; another lost $498.

According to Branscum, Hays would drive their vehicle while Cave sat in the passenger seat looking for targets to burglarize.

Family and friends say farewell to Tracy Scroggins and his mother
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Family and friends say farewell to Tracy Scroggins and his mother
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 5, 2026
It was a sad day when Checotah heard of the passing of one of their own, Tracy Scroggins, whose name lives on at the field house and playground in his hometown. Scroggins passed away at the age of 56 ...
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Ironheads tame Wolves for Regional Consolation Championship
B:, Sports...
Ironheads tame Wolves for Regional Consolation Championship
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
March 5, 2026
The Eufaula Ironheads continued their outstanding season with a commanding 5837 victory over the Heavener Wolves to capture the consolation regional championship and punch their ticket to area play. F...
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Commutation Hearing set in Jerry Don Hurst murder case
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
March 5, 2026
Danny Turner was convicted of first-degree murder in 1992 for the 1991 poisoning death of his Checotah High School classmate, Jerry Don Hurst. Turner was convicted and sentenced by a McIntosh County j...
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Mayor issues proclamation honoring late editor Jerry Fink
A: Main, News...
Mayor issues proclamation honoring late editor Jerry Fink
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
March 5, 2026
On March 2, the Eufaula City Council opened its regular meeting by honoring the life and legacy of longtime journalist Jerry Fink. Mayor James Hickman read a formal proclamation recognizing the late E...
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Chamber celebrates America and its members
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Chamber celebrates America and its members
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 5, 2026
Checotah Chamber of Commerce celebrated its members and America’s 250th year by hosting an Americana tablescape competition at their annual banquet held Tuesday, Feb. 25. Over 200 business leaders, Ch...
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Butler captured on Kerr Lake after two-week manhunt
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Butler captured on Kerr Lake after two-week manhunt
By AMIE CATO-REMER EDITOR 
March 5, 2026
After nearly two weeks on the run that included a reported kidnapping and a multi-county search, escaped inmate Robey L. Butler was captured Monday morning near Keota, bringing a tense manhunt to a sa...
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Editor Picks
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Masonic Lodge Breakfast Fundraiser
March 5, 2026
Saturday, March 7 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Located at 625 W. Gentry Start your day off right with an all-you-can-eat homemade big breakfast consisting of farm fresh eggs, Blue & Gold sausage, pancakes, biscui...
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lifestyle
An Enchanted Night Under the Lights
March 5, 2026
p.m. -11 p.m. Prom tickets on sale now in Mrs. Ortiz Room 220 until March 13 for $40. Must be academically eligible to purchase and attend.
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Freedom House chosen as Citizens of the Year
lifestyle
Freedom House chosen as Citizens of the Year
By Staff Reports 
March 5, 2026
This year LaDonna Rhodes aka “The Paper Lady” with the McIntosh County Democrat had the privilege of announcing the Citizen of the Year award which went to Freedom House Adult & Teen Challenge with di...
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lifestyle
Wild Onion Dinner
March 5, 2026
The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town will be hosting the annual Wild Onion Dinner on Saturday, March 14, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Eufaula Indian Community Nutrition Center, 800 Birkes Rd., Eufaula. The ...
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Gear up and grab your green
lifestyle
Gear up and grab your green
March 5, 2026
Break out the shamrocks, dust off the tutus and lace up those running shoes, the Eufaula Green Run 5K is back for its sixth year, bringing a splash of Irish spirit to the shoreline of Lake Eufaula. Ho...
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