TULSA, Okla. — The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma announced that a federal judge sentenced Valeria Bowman to more than five years in federal prison for robbing four stores and attempting to rob one individual in Green Country.

“Basically, [Bowman] decided in October of last year, she would go on a robbery spree,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

On Oct. 2, 2021, Bowman robbed a Dollar General cashier. She stole $372 from the store’s cash register. She also assaulted the cashier by spraying him in the eyes and face with bed bug spray before grabbing the money.

Just six days later on Oct. 8, 2021, Bowman pushed a second cashier and stole $262 from the cash register at a CVS Pharmacy. On Oct. 10, 2021, she fought, grabbed and pulled a third cashier away from the register at another CVS Pharmacy and stole $36 from the cash register.

Eight hours later on Oct. 10, Bowman fought another cashier and store manager to steal cigarettes and cash at a Walgreens Pharmacy.

On Oct. 18, 2021, Bowman unsuccessfully tried to steal an elderly woman’s purse at a Tulsa Walgreens. She ran when the woman refused to let go of her purse, but she was stopped shortly after by a Tulsa Police officer. Bowman told the officer she believed she was “untouchable” because she was a tribal citizen on a reservation.

“She was under the mistaken impression that, because she [is] a Native America, and we were on an Indian reservation, that she was ‘untouchable,’” Johnson said.

Police arrested Bowman and handed the case over to the federal government. She was sentenced to more than five years this week.

“She was charged federally with four counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery,” Johnson explained.

He also said his office works very well with law enforcement agencies in Green Country, and they work together to make sure criminals are prosecuted.

“We’re going to hold individuals, whether their Native American or non-Native American, who commit crimes responsible for their actions,” Johnson said. “And that’s going to be in either tribal court, federal court or state court.”

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