A 16-year-old from Oklahoma, standing at a mere 4 feet 9 inches and weighing just 90 pounds, has been handed a sentence exceeding 50 years in an adult prison. The teenager, Noah Ney, was found guilty of all ten charges against him, including shooting with intent to kill, firearm possession, and drug possession. These charges stem from a drive-by shooting incident in Tulsa in April 2022, where Ney shot a 5-year-old girl in the neck and shoulder.
The young girl was playing outside when Ney, traveling in a stolen SUV, opened fire. The girl survived the attack, but prosecutors stated that she could have lost her life if the bullet had struck just an inch away. The court was informed that this act of violence was Ney’s initiation into the Hoover Crips gang in Tulsa.
Testimonies from Ney’s neighbors painted a picture of a teenager causing chaos in the community, wearing gang colors, and brandishing guns and knives. Assistant Tulsa County District Attorney Morgan Medders shared these accounts with the court, highlighting Ney’s threatening behavior towards his neighbors.
Following his arrest, Ney managed to escape from his Tulsa juvenile detention center by leaping over a fence while a guard was distracted. He was considered armed and dangerous while on the run and was re-arrested at gunpoint four days later.
During Ney’s sentencing, the prosecution detailed his extensive criminal history, which included robberies, gun charges, and drug-related offenses. They also revealed that Ney had repeatedly assaulted staff, flooded his cell, and smeared feces on the walls during his time at the juvenile detention center.
The prosecution argued for a lengthy sentence, maintaining that Ney posed a significant danger to society. Ney’s defense lawyer, however, pointed to his parents as the root cause of his behavior, claiming that Ney had been denied treatment options. Ney’s aunt testified that her nephew had been neglected by both his mother and his father, who has a history of incarceration.
Despite these claims, the prosecutor emphasized that Ney’s family circumstances did not excuse his dangerous behavior. Medders stated that Ney had rejected numerous treatment attempts, as evidenced by a packet of treatment records thicker than a dictionary.
The court was informed that Ney would be eligible for a judicial review hearing in five years. At this hearing, his sentence could potentially be reduced if he can convince the judge that he has made significant positive changes.