Man Charged with the First Degree Murder of a Washington County Couple

A Bartlesville man was charged Monday in federal court for killing a Washington County couple, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Lucas Anthony Walker, 20, was charged by Criminal Complaint with first degree murder in Indian Country and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The Complaint alleges that on or about Dec. 19, 2022, Walker entered the home near Dewey while the victims were sleeping and killed the couple when they awoke. It further alleges that he and a minor later buried the victims in the home’s back yard.

On January 20, 2023, personnel from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the residence to conduct a welfare check based on the suspicious disappearance of the couple, Deborah and Larry Dutton, who lived there.

According to the Complaint, Walker and the minor were occupying the residence when law enforcement arrived. During a search of the residence, evidence was allegedly discovered indicating a crime had likely taken place.

This matter will proceed in United States District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric O. Johnston and Shakema M. Onias are prosecuting the case.