MCN Second Chief's trial postponed

TULSA, Okla. — The federal jury trial of Muscogee (Creek) Nation Second Chief Roger Barnett has been postponed.

According to court documents filed Friday in the Northern District of Oklahoma, Barnett’s trial, originally scheduled to start Monday morning, is now set for Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m.

Additionally, a hearing on motions and a potential plea change is scheduled for Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Gregory Frizzell. Barnett entered a not guilty plea last month at arraignment.

Barnett was indicted last month on accusations of embezzling $150,000 in tribal funds between April 2013 and April 2014. He is currently out on a personal recognizance bond. If convicted, the maximum penalty is five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The federal system does not offer parole.

Elected second chief in 2011, Barnett was a member of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council for 12 years and had served the tribe in various capacities since 1991.