Buckner facing lewd molestation charge

A Muskogee man is charged with lewd molestation in Sequoyah County District Court after he allegedly touched a child under the age of 16 inappropriately on more than one occasion at a Sallisaw residence where he was reportedly staying.

Dewayne E. Buckner, 49, was formally charged on April 14 and an arrest warrant was issued the same day, according to court records. Court documents show his bond has been set at $20,000 and he has prior convictions of failing to register as a sex offender in both Sequoyah and Muskogee counties, and a former charge of lewd molestation in Muskogee County.

Sallisaw Police Lt. Andrew Edwards reported in February that four minor children were interviewed at the Child’s Advocacy Center in Sallisaw. During the interviews, it was alleged Buckner had spanked and touched one of the children inappropriately and then allegedly exposed himself.

One of the children also told authorities they told one of their parents what had allegedly occurred and the parent had thrown Buckner out of the residence and told him to never come back, according to the probable cause affidavit.

A witness said Buckner did leave the residence and they believed he stayed with a neighbor for about a week or two before moving to Muskogee.

District Attorney Jack Thorp said the crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to three to 20 years.