Sallisaw woman found guilty of murder in fentanyl overdose death

A Sallisaw woman charged in 2022 with felony murder has reportedly been found guilty following a jury trial in Sequoyah County District Court.

Shawna M. Pratt, 45, was found guilty in the death of 30-year-old Joshua Choate, who died from fentanyl toxicity after purchasing fentanyl from Pratt and then injecting himself with it at her residence. Pratt was originally charged with first-degree murder, trafficking in illegal drugs, unlawful possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute, distribution of controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

The jury found Pratt guilty on all six charges, including a charge of second-degree murder, which was an alternative count regarding the death of Choate. They rec- ommended prison sentences of 10 years for the second-degree murder charge, four years for drug trafficking, two years for distribution of controlled substances, and two years for possession with intent to distribute. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled as of press time.

“I would like to thank the jurors for their patience and dedication throughout this trial,” District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp said. “A lot of evidence was presented over the past four days, and these jurors did an excellent job of remaining diligent, paying attention to that evidence, following the law, and reaching a just verdict. I pray that the family of Joshua Choate find some peace and recognize that we fought hard to bring their loved one’s killer to justice.”

According to the original probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Sallisaw Police officer Herb Hutchinson said he was contacted by Lt. Tucker Martins to come to Pratt’s residence on Elm Street in reference to a possible drug overdose involving fentanyl.

Martins reported that Pratt told him Choate was using her bathroom when she and another individual, Whitney Plank, heard him collapse and emergency personnel was called to help him.

Martens pointed out a syringe cap on the vanity and Pratt told authorities there could also be a can that was used to melt a pill on. A “torch” was also reportedly located in Choate’s hat inside Pratt’s bedroom. When officers asked Pratt for consent to search the residence, she told them to get a warrant.

Hutchinson was able to obtain the warrant and following a search, police reported finding digital scales with white crystal residue, five individual bags containing around 18 grams of a white crystal substance, multiple loaded syringes, assorted pills, and a bag containing around 22 grams of methamphetamine.

In a bedroom dresser, police also reported finding a bent spoon with a blue and white substance, along with a syringe missing the cap. Choate’s cell phone was also reportedly found on the floor near the dresser, according to the affidavit.

Pratt was arrested and transported to the Sallisaw Police Department, and Plank was taken into custody by a drug court supervisor and transported to the Sequoyah County Detention Center.

Pratt said Plank and Choate were allegedly using pills earlier in the week when Choate showed up with the pill, which he identified as fentanyl. She claimed she didn’t want them using the drug in her home but knew there was Narcan, so she allowed them to do so. Pratt alleged when Choate went into the bathroom to use the drug, he walked out and collapsed on the bed.

According to Pratt, Plank called 911 while she administered Narcan to Choate. She said she then pulled Choate to the floor and tried administering CPR until EMS arrived. She said Plank left the residence and claimed she didn’t know where Choate got the pill from.

Plank was interviewed by Hutchinson the following day at the Drug Court office. Plank said she’d known Choate for about two years and he’d talked about using fentanyl and wanted more. She said she told him that Pratt was trying to get rid of half of a fentanyl pill so he went to the residence where he reportedly paid Pratt $10 for it, using CashApp.

Plank admitted to snorting a small amount of the pill and said Choate retrieved a spoon from the kitchen but had brought his own syringe. She said Choate then walked into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later, holding the syringe and mumbling. She said they laid him on the bed while she called 911 and Pratt administered Narcan. She said she left and went to another residence and then Pratt called, wanting her to come back.

According to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it shows the probable cause of death for Choate was due to fentanyl toxicity.

Thorp emphasized the severity of the situation, calling overdose deaths a “national tragedy” and underscoring his office’s commitment to prosecuting drug traffickers and holding individuals accountable for the distribution of lethal substances like fentanyl.