Oklahoman pleads guilty to strangling former girlfriend

A man from Sand Springs, Oklahoma pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to strangling a former dating partner in 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Matthew Wayne Martin, 41, pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate/dating partner by strangling and attempting to strangle in Indian Country.

Martin admitted in Court that he held down the victim by her neck and strangled her during an argument on April 8, 2020.

Injuries on the victim’s arms, chest, and neck were seen by officers with the Tulsa Police Department the next day, when her father reported the abuse. Martin will be sentenced at a date determined by the Court. A federal judge will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors when determining an appropriate sentence.

On April 18, 2022, Martin was also convicted in Tulsa County District Court in an unrelated domestic violence case. He was convicted of assault and battery by means likely to produce death; kidnapping; domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; and threatening an act of violence.

The FBI helped conduct the federal investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Jiang is prosecuting the case.