Muscogee Nation sues Henryetta over McGirt jurisdiction violations

The Muscogee Nation filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the City of Henryetta and its attorney, John Insabella, for prosecuting Native citizens within reservation boundaries in violation of McGirt v. Oklahoma, according to KOSU. The tribe initially contacted Insabella in September 2024 after learning of the prosecutions but received no response. The tribe later discovered the city's police chief had instructed officers not to involve Muscogee Lighthorse Police in traffic stops involving tribal citizens. Insabella later stated the city would continue prosecuting tribal members.

The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District court, seeks a declaration that Henryetta lacks criminal jurisdiction over Native defendants. The filing comes amid similar disputes, including a recent Tulsa settlement and a January lawsuit against two district attorneys.