Stilwell man sentenced to federal prison for arson

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that a Stilwell man was sentenced to two years for one count of arson in Indian Country, and ordered to pay $130,268 in restitution.

Charges against Aaron Welch Earley, 42, arose after a probe by the Adair County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to reports, Earley set fire to an insured residence in Westville on March 14, 2023 for financial benefit. The total loss exceeded $100,000. Earley pleaded guilty to the charge in March 2024.

Honorable Judge Ronald A. White presided over the hearing and Earley will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross prosecuted the case.