Thanks to the 2020 McGirt Supreme Court ruling, a Washington family has been completely burned out of their residence.

McClain County Law Enforcement caught a suspect red-handed burglarizing a deputy’s private vehicle. The suspect was tribal so by law, he was turned over to Chickasaw Lighthorse law enforcement.

McClain County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Scott Gibbons said the suspect, Austin Garrett Reeves,  28 of Norman, was released after tribal prosecutors declined to file charges.

Authorities said Reeves then returned to the home in Washington, setting fire to vehicles and the house with the family all asleep around 2 a.m. Saturday.

The sheriff’s deputy was home with his pregnant wife, their small child and their dog, Gibbons said.

The family, who was alerted by neighbors, was able to all escape with no injuries, Gibbons reported.

“The suspect lit fire to vehicles and the home,” Gibbons said. “There was accelerant on all three vehicles, throughout the yard and the home.”

Since the fire, Reeves is facing charges of arson, burglary and carrying a weapon after a felony conviction.

When he was arrested the second time, authorities said he had a large burn on his side and his clothes smelled like gasoline.

Authorities said he was to be arraigned Tuesday in federal court.

Gibbons said investigators traced the whereabouts of the suspect to a relative’s house in east Norman, near 60th Avenue SE and Lindsey.

Once located, SWAT teams were activated, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement. Agents from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, D.A. District 21 Task Force, Norman Police, Newcastle Police, Lighthorse Police, Washington Police, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and McClain County Deputies all converged on the home to serve the warrant.

“We would like to thank the assisting agencies,” Gibbons said.

Gibbons went on to say there is reason to believe Reeves has been targeting law enforcement officers for awhile due to the other evidence found where he was living.

“From an agency standpoint, my administrators are extremely frustrated this happened,” Gibbons said. “Local law enforcement, computers or judges had nothing to do with the decisions for the release of the individual. The tribal prosecutors, for whatever reason, declined to file the charges. So therefore, the county that was keeping him had to release him without bond, without charge.”

There is a GoFundMe account set up to help Jessica and Bo rebuild after the devastating event.

Plus, people can drop off physical items and cash donations at the Knot Again Bar & Grill Restaurant. The restaurant is located at 400 W. Washington in Purcell.