One of the eight purported Ku Klux Klan members who allegedly took part in the slaying of an Oklahoma woman last November pleaded guilty April 30 to an obstruction of justice charge in the courtroom of state Judge Reginald Badeaux.

Badeaux sentenced Frank Stafford, 21, of Bogalusa to four years in prison. According to St. Tammany District Attorney spokesman Rick Wood, Stafford could have gotten 40 years for obstruction of Justice.

“It was an unscheduled plea,” Wood said, “ Which is the right of every defendant.” He would not comment on the other defendants because the case is still pending. According to the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office, Stafford was a member of a KKK chapter in Bogalusa, who allegedly took part in the shooting of Cynthia C. Lynch, 43, of Tulsa, Okla., who had traveled by bus to join the KKK chapter led by purported leader Raymond “Chuck” Foster, 44, also of Bogalusa. Lynch underwent an initiation ceremony at a remote campsite in northern St. Tammany Parish in November 2008. Lynch backed out at the last moment, and Foster allegedly shot her. Stafford and seven other people, including Foster’s son, Shane took part in trying to cover up the shooting death. Foster allegedly dug the bullet out of Lynch and buried her at the campsite.

The case came to light when a convenience clerk at a store near Bogalusa reported that Stafford and Shane Foster came in and asked how they could get rid of bloodstains. The clerk called the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and deputies began to investigate the incident. St. Tammany Sheriff deputies came into the case when it was discovered the KKK members were still at the campsite. Foster was contacted by phone, and he agreed to surrender with the five other group members.

Since that time, Foster has been indicted for second-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty. Foster is no stranger to the law. He has a conviction of manslaughter on his record among many other crimes dating back to the 1980’s. Foster’s court date is May 18.

Foster’s son, Shane, charged with obstruction of justice, was ruled incompetent to stand trial by Badeaux, but is undergoing psychiatric evaluation and his incompetence status will be revisited in 90 days.

The other suspects are Timothy M. Watkins, 31, Alicia Watkins, 23, Andrew Yates, 20, Random Hines, 27 and Danielle Jones, 23. They are all from Bogalusa and all face one charge each of obstruction of justice.