Stilwell man sentenced 35 years for aggravated sexual abuse

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that a Stilwell man was sentenced to prison for multiple counts of aggravated sexual abuse.

Daniel Wayne Bayless, 27, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for four counts of aggravated sexual abuse. The 420 months sentenced for each four counts will be served concurrently and Bayless will be required to register as a sex offender.

Charges against Bayless arose after a probe by the Adair County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On July 18, 2023, Bayless was found guilty by a federal jury. According to court documents, Bayless sexually assaulted a minor under the age of 12 on multiple occasions. Bayless also victimized another child 10 years prior.

Honorable Judge Ronald A. White presided over the hearing and Bayless was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Morgan Muzljakovich prosecuted the case.