A father has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted by a federal jury of first-degree murder and assault in Indian Country, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced Friday.
U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced James William Buzzard, 52, to life in prison, plus an additional 10 years. A jury previously convicted Buzzard of First Degree Murder in Indian Country, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian County, and Carrying, Using, or Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
The charges stem from a violent incident in August 2019 in Delaware County that resulted in one death and one injury.
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According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, James Buzzard and his two sons waited for the victim, Jerry Tapp, to return home from work. When Tapp exited his vehicle, James Buzzard fired shots at him before handing the firearm to his son, Cody Buzzard, who continued shooting.
Before the trial against James Buzzard began, his co-defendant sons pleaded guilty to their involvement in the murder of Jerry Tapp.
Cody Dwayne Buzzard, 31, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder in Indian Country, and Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Judge Frizzell sentenced Cody Buzzard to serve 300 months (25 years) imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.
Dakota Chase Buzzard, 23, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Carry, Use, Brandish, and Discharge a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Judge Frizzell ordered Dakota Buzzard to serve 78 months (6.5 years) imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
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The incident unfolded when the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Jerry Tapp deceased in his front yard with multiple gunshot wounds. A second victim was found alive at the scene, having suffered a gunshot wound to the arm.
Witness interviews and the investigation quickly led law enforcement to Dakota Buzzard, who was driving a white, 4-door Altima matching the description of a vehicle seen leaving the scene. Investigators located spent shell casings in the victim’s yard, driveway, and the roadway, as well as additional casings and the rifle used in the shooting inside Dakota Buzzard’s vehicle.
The case was investigated jointly by the FBI, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reagan Reininger and Eric O. Johnston prosecuted the case.
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