An elected official in Okmulgee is facing a child abuse charge following allegations that he struck multiple children with a belt during a church youth gathering.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) confirmed that 63-year-old Marcus Jeffrey was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 24. The arrest followed a request from the Okmulgee Police Department for the state agency to investigate claims involving an incident at East Side Baptist Church.
Surveillance Video Cited in Affidavit
According to court documents, investigators reviewed surveillance footage dated November 12, which allegedly shows Jeffrey swinging a belt toward a group of children during a youth meeting at the church. The affidavit states that seven children were struck during the incident while Jeffrey was serving as the youth group teacher.
Authorities reported that at least one child showed visible discoloration on their back that was consistent with being hit by a belt.
The investigation was formally requested by Okmulgee police on November 24, 2025, after receiving a report about the alleged conduct.
Investigators: Actions Crossed Disciplinary Boundaries
OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee described the case as deeply concerning and emphasized that children participating in church activities should feel safe and protected.
Officials noted that while certain forms of discipline may be legally permitted in some contexts, the method allegedly used in this case exceeded acceptable limits.
Investigators stated that swinging a belt toward children in a group setting constituted excessive force and crossed a line between discipline and physical abuse.
Community Leadership Roles
Jeffrey is known locally for holding several prominent positions. In addition to serving as a member of the Okmulgee City Council, he is also the lead pastor at East Side Baptist Church. He has additionally worked as a family service worker for the Muscogee Creek Nation Head Start program.
Following news of the arrest, the Muscogee Creek Nation Department of Education & Training issued a statement confirming that one of its employees had been arrested on a charge related to child physical abuse. The department stated that the employee was immediately removed from duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
Officials further clarified that the incident did not occur on Head Start property and that no current Head Start students were involved.
Officials Decline Public Comment
When contacted regarding the allegations, Jeffrey declined to comment on the charge. Representatives from the Okmulgee City Council and East Side Baptist Church also declined to provide statements.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities confirmed that the case remains under active investigation. Additional details may emerge as legal proceedings move forward.
No court date has been publicly announced at this time.
