Tulsa woman sentenced for killing sister-in-law over a marijuana grinder

Chief U.S. District Judge John Heil sentenced Alexis Danielle Flanner to 20 years in federal prison in accordance with a plea agreement.

In February, Flanner, 26, admitted shooting Estrella Mendoza, 36, on July 7, 2022, in a convenience store parking lot in east Tulsa after becoming angry when Mendoza would not return a marijuana grinder that she claimed was hers.

A grand jury indicted Flanner on Aug. 1, 2022, on charges of first-degree murder in Indian Country; carrying, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country; and carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Prosecutors filed a felony information on Feb. 5 charging Flanner with second-degree murder in Indian Country and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Such filings typically result in a plea agreement and the dismissal of the original indictment, provided the judge accepts the plea deal.

Indeed, later that month, Flanner signed a plea deal that called for both sides to agree on a sentence ranging from 20 years to 31½ years in prison, with a judge to decide the term after accepting the plea deal.

Second-degree murder carries a statutory maximum prison term of life in prison.

Factors that contributed to reaching the plea deal included the need to call Mendoza’s widower, Flanner’s brother, as a witness at a trial, Flanner’s lack of criminal history and the backing by the victim’s family for the agreement.

Flanner was charged in federal court because she is a Muscogee Nation citizen and the offense occurred within the Muscogee Nation Reservation.

Flanner will be supervised for five years following her release from prison.

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