Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pontotoc County, Oklahoma (July 11, 2022) – On July 10, 2022, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office requested the OSBI investigate after LARRY SANDERS (DOB: 02/02/1969) reported killing JIMMY KNIGHTEN by the South Canadian River.  SANDERS and KNIGHTEN had been noodling in the river on July 9, 2022, when a confrontation ensued and SANDERS reported striking and strangling KNIGHTEN.  SANDERS was initially arrested on an outstanding warrant and booked into the Pontotoc County Jail.  On July 10, 2022, KNIGHTEN'S body was found during a search by Pontotoc and Seminole Counties' sheriff deputies and OSBI agents.  The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.  OSBI agents subsequently arrested SANDERS for Murder in the First Degree.  He remains in the Pontotoc County Jail and his mugshot is attached.