Murder suspect in missing teen case calls for dismissal citing “Indian Country” ruling

(PONTOTOC COUNTY, Okla.) A man arrested for the murder of Garvin County teen Faith Lindsey is asking for his case to be dismissed citing the recent McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling. The landmark United States Supreme Court case ruled that much of the eastern portion of the state of Oklahoma is Native American land, thus crimes committed by and against Native Americans cannot be prosecuted by the state. Tanner Washington, 25, was arrested in December for Murder In The First Degree-With A Pre-Meditated Design following Lindsey’s disappearance. His crimes involving Lindsey date back at least six months before that. Washington was arrested and charged in Pontotoc County in June 2019 after deputies said he was being aggressive towards his girlfriend, referred to as FL in court documents due to her being a minor. Later that month, Washington was arrested for Domestic Assault against his sister, in which Lindsey was named as a witness. He pled no contest to the assault charge in September and received a sentence of two years deferred plus a court order to attend anger management classes. Lindsey was reported missing on October 29. According to court documents filed on November 5, a woman contacted the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on October 29 stating Washington told her his girlfriend Faith Lindsey had been shot in Sasakwa. During questioning, deputies said Washington changed his story several times. He was arrested for falsely reporting a crime and obstructing an officer, and formerly charged with the latter. The Pontotoc County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Washington less than two months later. Washington is due back in court on October 8. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to Lindsey’s body. Anyone with information about this case asked to call the OSBI at 800-522-8017 or email tips@osbi.ok.gov. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Learn more about McGirt v. Oklahoma here: https://app.verifiednews.network/articles/share/1351