“With respect to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation our interest is simply maintaining the peace, making sure people aren’t harmed, making sure property isn’t destroyed, and supporting whatever happens with the governmental functions and decisions of the Thlopthlocco people.” – Geri Wisner
OKEMAH – An attempted break-in during the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 3 at Thlopthlocoo Tribal Town’s Golden Pony Casino has led to the current closure of the casino. According to Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney General Geri Wisner, MCN Lighthorse Police and Bureau of Indian Affairs officials are currently involved in the ongoing investigation. There are currently no suspects in the case at this time.
This comes amid court case CJ-2025-79, a petition filed by TTT Town King Brent Brown for a temporary emergency restraining order, temporary injunction, permanent injunction and declaratory judgement against two listed groups of individuals. The case was filed in Okfuskee County District Court on Monday, Oct. 27. According to the BIA’s Tribal leadership directory, Town King Brown is listed as the current head of the TTT.
The filing lists individuals in Group 1 as Brent Smith, Tim Cheek, Cole Trickey, Tim Wolf, Miranda Kelough, David Haney, Mike Harjochee and “other unknown individuals acting in concert and joint participation with Group 1 Defendants.” Individuals listed in Group 2 are Nathan Anderson, Ryan Herrod, Wesley Montemayor, Leyahna Hicks, Malinda Noon, Inda McGirt, Jason Sawyer, Joyce Noon, Summer Barnes, Leeanna Tomah and “other unknown individuals acting in concert and joint participation with Group 2 Defendants.”
The filing alleges that individuals listed in Group 1 trespassed on TTT Tribal government offices and refused to leave when asked. They also allegedly threatened TTT Tribal employees.
The filing also alleges that individuals listed in Group 2 threatened the Tribe’s depository bank employees. They also allegedly gained access to certain federal government websites and prevented access of TTT Tribal officials to these websites in the process.
The filing illustrates a portrait of political turmoil within TTT as both defendant groups have individuals claiming to be members of TTT’s Business Committee. These individuals have also presented themselves as TTT Tribal leadership to federal agencies.
Wisner said the MCN’s involvement with the ongoing Golden Pony investigation will strictly be in the interest of public safety, not politics.
“The position of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is that we are not going to get into the political mechanisms of Thlopthlocco,” Wisner said. “As a sovereign government recognizing another sovereign, that’s Thlopthlocco. I don’t want and I don’t think it’s the business of Muscogee (Creek) Nation to be involved in those integral mechanisms of another government.”
Incidents within TTT
The filing cites an incident that occurred at TTT’s quarterly membership meeting held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the TTT South Community Center. The filing alleges that individuals in Group 1 remained on the property after the meeting concluded and refused to leave. Court documents state that MCN Lighthorse Police officers were called out on scene to escort individuals from Group 1 off the premises.
Wisner confirmed that she and MCN Lighthorse Police Chief Richard Phillips met with TTT officials. According to Wisner, MCN Lighthorse officers are not specifically responding to calls to enforce TTT Tribal law.
“It was reported to me there were some heated arguments that may have led to physical altercations,” Wisner said. “If there is a crime reported I can confirm and assure you that Muscogee (Creek) Nation will respond with our Lighthorse division because I don’t want to see people hurt. I don’t want to see property destroyed.”
Another incident cited in the filing occurred on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the TTT Social Services Office where individuals from Group 1 allegedly arrived at the offices and confronted TTT employees. MCN Lighthorse was called to escort the individuals from Group 1 off the premises; however, the agency never responded. The filing refers to TTT as a “no man’s land” due to insufficient law enforcement and the refusal of MCN Lighthorse to intervene.
The filing seeks a declaratory judgement against Smith and individuals from Group 1, as well as Anderson and individuals from Group 2. A requested temporary emergency restraining order against all listed individuals listed in Group 1 was granted on Monday, Oct. 27. According to the restraining order in regards to enforcement in this case: “Thlopthlocco tribal officials may contact the Sheriff’s department for the purposes of enforcement of this order.”
Regarding the reported crimes and heated confrontations in TTT, Wisner said the MCN will do everything in its power to keep the public safe while respecting the sovereignty of fellow federally-recognized Tribal nations.
“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation with our reservation status, we have had allegations lodged at us that there are pockets of lawlessness that happen on our reservation,” Wisner said. “I am cognizant of that and I am dead set against any perception or reality of areas where lawlessness and violence rampantly occurs.”
Mvskoke Media reached out to TTT Tribal officials for comment on the Golden Pony Casino closure. As of time of publishing, TTT has not provided comment at the time. As of Wednesday, Nov. 5 the TTT website was taken down. Golden Pony casino is closed until further notice. Mvskoke Media will continue to provide coverage of this developing story.
