Marble City Man Faces Eight-year-old Charges

A 50-year-old Marble City man is facing eight-year-old charges in Muskogee County.

Ronnie Wayne Pruitt was recently returned to Muskogee County where he faces felony charges of child abuse and possession of a firearm after former conviction of a felony and misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and carrying a firearm while under the influence. The charges were filed on Oct. 30, 2008, according to Muskogee County Court Records.

The records indicate that Pruitt, who was accompanied by two children, slept in a 1993 GMC Jimmy overnight on Oct. 24, 2008, at Greenleaf State Park, when the temperature dropped to 35 degrees. According to the charges, the children had no way to stay warm. Pruitt was also accused of being under the influence of alcohol and being in possession of a .22-caliber rifle.

Pruitt never appeared in Muskogee County District Court to answer the charges, said now-District Attorney Orvil Loge. Pruitt was transferred to Cherokee County to face other unrelated charges, and never returned. A bench warrant for his arrest, for failure to appear, was issued Oct. 31, 2008.

Loge stated he intends to prosecute, and is searching for the children, who were ages 10 and 12 at the time. If the children do not wish to testify Pruitt will still be tried on the firearms and alcohol-related charges, Loge said.

Pruitt’s bond was set at $20,000, and his next court appearance is slated for June 16.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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