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Officials: Man Admits to Sheriff's Dad's Death

Cherokee County is colored red
Cherokee County is colored red

Authorities say a Fort Smith-area man has admitted to the slaying of an Oklahoma sheriff's father.

Police arrested 44-year-old Ricky Rainwater on Monday after investigators reported they believed he robbed and killed Larry Lane Sr. over the weekend in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Lane is the father of Sheriff Larry Lane Jr. of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault tells the Times Record that Rainwater admitted Thursday to strangling Lane Sr. to death. Investigators believe Rainwater traveled from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Vian, Oklahoma, where he took a truck to Cherokee County and killed Lane Sr.

Rainwater has been charged with first-degree murder, robbery by force and fear and automobile theft. He remained in custody Thursday at the Cherokee County jail without bond. Jail records don't list an attorney for him.