Former Tahlequah Teacher Sentenced to 7 Years for Soliciting Explicit Images from Students

MUSKOGEE, OK — A former teacher and coach at Tahlequah Public Schools has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempting to receive explicit photos from two underage students.

Anthony James Deason, 29, of Tahlequah, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison followed by eight years of supervised release for one count of Attempted Receipt of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Tahlequah Police Department.

According to court documents, between October 26 and October 30, 2023, Deason contacted two minors—students he knew through his role as a teacher—via social media and requested sexually explicit images. He attempted to entice the students with offers of money and gift cards. In addition, Deason sent one of the students an unsolicited explicit photo of himself. Both students rejected his requests and reported the incidents, which led to a prompt investigation and arrest.

The offenses occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

“This case is a sobering reminder of the dangers children face online, even from those entrusted to educate and mentor them,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “I commend the bravery of the students who refused his advances and the families who reported the abuse. Their actions helped bring a predator to justice.”

The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program works to investigate and prosecute those who prey on children using digital platforms.

Deason will remain in federal custody pending his transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence. Chief U.S. District Judge Eric F. Melgren of the District of Kansas, sitting by assignment, presided over the case.

Anyone with knowledge of child exploitation or similar crimes is encouraged to report incidents through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (1-800-843-5678, www.cybertipline.com), the FBI (1-800-CALL-FBI), or Homeland Security Investigations (1-877-4-HSI-TIP).