Head Start employee charged with felony child abuse

UPDATED on Monday, April 6 at 11:52 a.m.

OKMULGEE – MCN Head Start employee Marcus Jeffrey was arrested on Tuesday, March 24, and charged with felony child abuse, according to online records from the Okmulgee County Detention Center. Jeffrey voluntarily turned himself into authorities. The arrest affidavit details that the incident occurred at East Side Baptist Church in Okmulgee. Jeffery is the lead pastor for the church and is also a Family Service Worker with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start Program. He is currently listed as the Vice Mayor of Okmulgee and Councilman for Ward 4. Jeffrey is not a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

According to the arrest affidavit, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, Jeffrey struck seven minors with a belt while swinging it erratically in the church sanctuary. Jeffrey was captured on the church’s video surveillance system holding a rolled-up belt in his right hand and moving it to his left hand. He is seen pointing and shaking the folded belt at a group of children. 

Surveillance footage shows Jeffrey lunging toward a group of children with a belt. He is also seen swinging the belt toward children and striking several of them. One of the children who was struck received skin injuries.

Jeffrey had taken over as the youth group’s teacher a few weeks prior. The Okmulgee Police Department requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) investigate the incident on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. The affidavit states that this was not the first time Jeffrey had threatened the group of children with a belt.

Mvskoke Media reached out to the MCN for comment on Jeffrey’s arrest and policy on background screenings for hiring new employees. According to a statement from MCN Press Secretary Jason Salsman, all MCN Head Start employees are subject to federal fingerprint and background checks. They are adjudicated and reviewed for employment sustainability prior to their start date. Jeffrey was subjected to this screening process when he was hired. His primary role was to provide resources to families, conduct enrollment intakes, and foster positive relationships with families.

The following statement was sent to parents of Head Start students regarding Jeffrey’s arrest. It reads: 

​​The Muscogee Nation is continuing to closely monitor the situation, our Education and training leadership has been in contact with parents ensuring them that their children’s safety is of the utmost importance to our department and staff, and they will be having a meeting with parents to answer any questions or concerns they may have.  

Jeffrey is currently on a 90-day layoff status, pending the outcome of the investigation. He posted a bond for $15,000. He faces one year in jail and a fine. Jeffrey’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, May 14.