Alva Review-Courier -

PAWHUSKA, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma man admitted in court to 2015 slaying of a man whose body was found on an oil lease.

Jeremy Keith Reece, of Pawhuska, admitted Thursday that he shot and burned Rick Holt, leaving him in a shallow grave in Osage County. Pending judicial approval of the plea deal, Reece will receive a 45-year federal prison sentence, the Tulsa World reported.

Reece was charged on Nov. 25 with second-degree murder. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors will drop charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping charges that have been pending against him since 2015.

He was arrested along with his brother, Tyler Wayne Reece, who is being held in Osage County jail on related charges.

Jeremy Reece allegedly told authorities he killed Rick Holt during a confrontation because he was angry over photos of his ex-wife that were reportedly sent to him from Holt's phone. Investigators said they had no evidence the photos existed.

The case, initially dismissed by Osage County Special Judge Stuart Tate, had seen little movement in state court due to jurisdictional issues. The homicide appeared to have occurred on tribal land and crimes occurring on tribal land are generally the jurisdiction of federal or tribal courts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney and Tribal Liaison Shannon Cozzoni worked closely with Mike Fisher, district attorney for Osage and Pawnee counties, to move the case forward.

Chief U.S. District Judge John Dowdell set sentencing for May 6, when he will decide whether to approve the plea agreement.