Creek Nation Gets Restraining Order Against Broken Arrow Grill Owner Following Arrest

A man charged by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for possessing illegal gaming devices at Embers Grill in Broken Arrow, made his first court appearance today.

The Creek Nation's Attorney General's office said Stephen Bruner stood silent before being given a $2,500 bond.

Police raided his restaurant last night.

8/16/2017 Related Story: Broken Arrow's Embers Grill Raided By Police

After being arrested by Lighthorse police Wednesday evening for having, Bruner was taken to the Creek Nation's headquarters in Okmulgee County.

Broken Arrow's Mayor Craig Thurmond spoke out after a police raid at the restaurant.

"They have taken the same position we have, that we do not want illegal gaming at the Embers Grill," Thurmond said of police.

The court entered a not-guilty plea for Bruner because of his silence during the hearing.

He posted bond and left.

"We assert that Mr. Bruner is innocent of these charges, that the Creek Nation has charged him incorrectly," said Trevor Reynolds, Bruner's attorney.

Reynoldse said Bruner has been leasing the land.

"The land is being developed by other entities that he doesn't have any interest in," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said last night police asked Bruner to voluntarily come down to the site.

"(He) received a phone call from the chief of Lighthorse police, asked him to come down to the location," Reynolds said, without knowing police would  arrest him.

"Upon his arrival he was arrested for a warrant, and served with other civil documents," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said he will contact the developers to get documents to help Bruner's case.

"I don't think that they got the right person in this instance," Reynolds said.

Thurmond said to the presence of gaming machines tells the story.

"It appears that they had gaming machines there, and that was their plan," Thurmond said.

The Creek Nation obtained an emergency temporary restraining order against Bruner, the Kialegee Tribal Town and the developers to prevent further development at the site.