Lawton man gets life for 2023 murder in Indian Country

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Lawton man was sentenced Monday to serve life in prison for the 2023 murder of Karon “Dinkers” Conneywerdy Smith and of dumping her body in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Tevin Terrell Semien, 30, was sentenced after pleading guilty in the U.S. Western District Court in April 2024 to charges of second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, according to U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. As part of his plea, Semien admitted to deliberately and intentionally killing Smith.

Smith, 68, was found dead May 17, 2023, in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. A search of her home by FBI agents in Lawton on Comanche trust land, 3318½ SW 6th, “Indian Country,” revealed blood and evidence consistent with a violent struggle, according to the indictment. Smith’s vehicle was missing as well.

On May 21, 2023, Texas law enforcement found Smith’s vehicle driving south of Dallas, Texas, and officers attempted to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle fled at a high speed and eventually crashed into a lake. The two occupants of the vehicle, later identified as Semien and Nicole Leigh Logsdon, 25, of Lawton, attempted to flee on foot but were apprehended.

The couple were indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 17, 2023.

Logsdon pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2024, to accessory after the fact to murder and admitted to helping Semien in his attempt to avoid arrest and prosecution. Logsdon was sentenced in July 2024 to serve 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, pointing out that Semien’s choices and conduct amounted to an “unfathomably cruel and depraved murder.” Judge Friot also noted Semien’s criminal history.

Public record further reflects that Semien has previous felony convictions which include burglary in Jefferson County, Texas, and conspiracy to commit second degree burglary in Comanche County District Court.

This case is in federal court because Smith and Logsdon are enrolled members of the Comanche Nation and the murder occurred within Indian Country, Troester stated..