Murder Suspect Arrested

Texas Rangers and local State Troopers arrested a man near Ledbetter on Friday who is wanted for murder in Oklahoma.

Sgt. Darryl Tidwell with the Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the Rangers executed an arrest warrant for John Nolte II, 53, around 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. Tidwell said Nolte was employed in the oil and gas industry, and he was working at a site off FM 1291 near Ledbetter at the time of his arrest.

Nolte faces charges of murder and conspiracy for the 2023 death of Jacob Washington, 33, in Seminole County, Oklahoma. According to a press release from the prosecutor, Oklahoma District Attorney Erik Johnson, Washington went missing on May 12, 2023, and was found along with his pickup truck five days later “in an advanced state of decomposition” on an oilfield road near the City of Seminole, OK.

“The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) Crime Scene Unit processed the crime scene, collecting critical physical evidence. This evidence, along with the subsequent investigation conducted by the Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police and agents from the District 22 Criminal Investigations Unit, led to the issuance of the arrest warrant for John Nolte II,” Johnson’s press release stated.

Johnson said Nolte’s arrest came the same day that the warrant was issued.

Tidwell told the Record that several DPS Troopers from Fayette County assisted the Rangers with the arrest. Trooper Louis Gabler took Nolte into custody and transported him to the Fayette County Jail.

Tidwell said he did not believe Nolte had any ties to Fayette County other than his employment. Nolte remains in custody at the Fayette County Jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma to face charges. The formal charges of murder and conspiracy are expected to be filed this week, Johnson said. Johnson emphasized that Nolte is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

“This investigation has proceeded tirelessly since this crime was discovered, and has involved the intricate cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies,” said Johnson.

JohnsonthankedtheOSBI, Seminole Nation Lighthorse Police, Texas Rangers, and all other agencies involved for their dedication and collaborative efforts.