CJ-2026-00180 - True Sky Federal Credit Union v. Derrick Mark Barrett

What's This Case About?

Let’s cut right to the chase: a credit union is suing a guy for $26,825.98 — not because he robbed a bank or ran a Ponzi scheme, but because he stopped paying for his 2021 Mazda 6. That’s right. This isn’t Breaking Bad. It’s Breaking Even, and the stakes are a slightly used sedan and a very annoyed financial institution.

Enter True Sky Federal Credit Union — not some shadowy Wall Street titan, but a modest Oklahoma-based co-op that exists to help regular folks get loans for cars, vacations, maybe a new water heater if things are really tight. And then there’s Derrick Mark Barrett, a man whose name sounds like it belongs on a DMV waiting list, not a federal court docket. We don’t know what Derrick does for a living (yet — more on that in a sec), but we do know he signed a loan agreement on June 29, 2024, to borrow $27,140 — presumably to buy that sleek, silver 2021 Mazda 6 with VIN JM1GL1TY4M1614594. Look, we’re not car people, but even we can tell that’s not a Lamborghini. It’s a nice sedan, sure, maybe even a little sporty around the curves — but it’s not worth dragging a man into Pottawatomie County District Court like he skipped out on a diamond heist.

So what happened? Well, according to True Sky, Derrick made the initial handshake with capitalism — he signed the Promissory Note, agreed to pay it back with interest, and even handed over a security interest in the car as collateral. That means if he flaked, they could come after the Mazda. Standard stuff. But somewhere between summer 2024 and spring 2026, Derrick apparently decided his monthly payments were optional — like cable in the streaming era. He stopped paying. Despite “demand” from the credit union — which we imagine involved increasingly stern letters and maybe a call from a paralegal named Lois — Derrick remained unmoved. By April 20, 2026, he owed $26,825.98. That’s not chump change, but it’s also not life-changing money — unless you’re the one on the hook.

Now, here’s where it gets juicy. True Sky didn’t just file a claim and call it a day. No, they brought out the legal artillery. First, they ran a military check — yes, really — using the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) database to confirm Derrick isn’t in the military. Why? Because if he were on active duty, federal law gives him extra protections — like pausing interest rates and blocking foreclosures. But the Defense Manpower Data Center came back with a big ol’ “nope” — Derrick is not currently serving Uncle Sam. Certificate ID: 4MJJTW3Q44Y0F9NS, in case you were wondering. That’s the kind of detail that makes you feel like you’re in a spy thriller, not a debt collection case.

Then comes the real power move: True Sky is asking the court to force the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission — that’s the state’s unemployment office — to hand over Derrick’s employment info. That’s right. They want to know where he works. Not because they’re nosy, but because if this turns into a wage garnishment situation, they’ll need to know where to aim. It’s a legal tactic allowed under Oklahoma law — kind of like a financial background check via court order. And honestly? We’re here for it. This isn’t just a lawsuit. It’s a manhunt, but with W-2s instead of bloodhounds.

So what does True Sky actually want? Money, obviously. A judgment for $26,825.98, plus interest, plus court costs and attorney fees — which, let’s be real, are racking up by the minute thanks to Jeffrey S. Ludlam of Hall & Ludlam, PLLC, who clearly bills by the comma. But they also want the car. They’re asking the court to order Derrick to disclose where the Mazda is — implying they don’t know its current location — and to authorize foreclosure on their security interest. In plain English: Hand over the keys, Derrick, or we’re repossessing it through the power of the state.

Is $26,825 a lot? Depends on your tax bracket. For a credit union, it’s not a catastrophic loss, but it’s not pocket lint either — especially when you consider they probably already repossessed and sold the car, and this is the “deficiency balance” — what’s left after the auction gavel fell. Maybe the Mazda got dinged up. Maybe it had 80,000 miles and a suspicious smell. Either way, Derrick still owes.

Here’s our take: the most absurd part isn’t the amount, or the military check, or even the fact that a man’s employment history is being subpoenaed over a car loan. It’s the drama. This is a loan for a mid-tier sedan — not a yacht, not a penthouse, not even a Tesla. And yet, we have affidavits, VIN numbers, federal databases, and a paralegal named Lois Clarkson testifying under penalty of perjury about a guy’s military status. All because someone stopped paying $400 a month.

We’re not saying Derrick should get a free car. We’re not saying credit unions should just absorb losses like a charity. But come on — this feels like using a flamethrower to light a birthday candle. At what point does the cost of legal collection exceed the cost of just… letting it go? Or selling the debt to a collector and moving on?

Still, we’re rooting for clarity. We want to know: Is Derrick driving that Mazda right now, blasting classic rock through a cracked speaker? Did he move to Arkansas and start a goat farm? Or is he just… ghosting? Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from covering petty civil court, it’s this: behind every defaulted loan is a story — sometimes tragic, sometimes lazy, sometimes just very inconvenient. And in this case, all we’ve got is a VIN, a balance due, and the quiet hum of a credit union’s righteous indignation echoing through the Pottawatomie County courthouse.

We’re entertainers, not lawyers — but if Derrick shows up in court with that Mazda packed full of fireworks and fugitive energy, we’re calling it: this is the civil trial we deserve.

Case Overview

Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court of Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

Jeffrey S. Ludlam

Hall & Ludlam, PLLC

Relief Sought

$26,826 Monetary

Plaintiffs

True Sky Federal Credit Union business
Rep: Jeffrey S. Ludlam, OBA #17822

Defendants

Derrick Mark Barrett individual

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	breach of contract	default on loan

Petition Text

1,529 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA TRUE SKY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION vs. DERRICK MARK BARRETT, Plaintiff, Defendant. Case No. CJ - 20 - 180 PETITION Plaintiff, True Sky Federal Credit Union ("TSFCU"), for its cause of action against the defendant, Derrick Mark Barrett ("Defendant"), alleges and states as follows: 1. On or about June 29, 2024, Defendant executed a Promissory Note (hereinafter referred to as the "Contract"), by which Defendant became obligated to pay TSFCU the principal amount of $27,140.00, plus interest according to the terms of the Contract. A copy of the Contract is attached hereto as Exhibit "A". 2. As part of the Contract and to secure the performance of Defendant, Defendant executed a Security Agreement by which Defendant granted TSFCU a security interest in a 2021 Mazda 6 VIN: JM1GL1TY4M1614594 (hereinafter referred as the "Collateral"). TSFCU properly perfected its security interest in accordance with Oklahoma law. 3. Defendant has failed to pay pursuant to the terms of the Contract, despite demand by TSFCU, and is therefore in default under the Contract and Security Agreement. 4. As of April 20, 2026, the balance due on the Contract was $26,825.98. 5. TSFCU is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and its reasonable costs of collection under the terms of the Contract and Security Agreement and under 12 O.S. §936. 6. Pursuant to the Servicemember's Civil Relief Act of 2003, TSFCU has reviewed the Department of Defense website and determined Defendant is not in the military. See the Affidavit attached hereto as Exhibit "B". 7. Pursuant to 40 O.S. §4-508(D), TSFCU requests an Order that at any time or times subsequent to the filing of this order, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission shall produce, within thirty (30) days of receipt of this order, employment information of the Defendant. WHEREFORE, True Sky Federal Credit Union prays: (a) that this Court enter money judgment for TSFCU and against Defendant in the amount of $26,825.98, plus interest until paid, plus TSFCU's court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee; (b) issue an Order for Defendant to appear and disclose the location of the Collateral; (c) that this Court render judgment in favor of TSFCU and against the Defendant for possession of the Collateral, decreeing that TSFCU's interest in the Collateral is senior and prior to the interest of Defendant in the Collateral, and authorizing the foreclosure of TSFCU's security interest in the Collateral; and (d) all contractual charges as set forth in the Contract. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Ludlam, OBA #17822 HALL & LUDLAM, PLLC 210 Park Ave, Suite 3001 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 600-9500 Telephone (405) 871-5403 Facsimile [email protected] EXHIBIT "A" 24,305.00 [Redacted] [Redacted] [Redacted] Dated this 29th day of JUNE 2024. REPLICA AUTHORIZATION MR. [REDACTED] PO BOX [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Reassigned on this 29th day of JULY 2024. MAJ [REDACTED] [REDACTED] -2447 [The remainder of the text is illegible due to quality issues.] [The remainder of the page contains a large, redacted block of text and numbers, and is considered privileged under legal standards.] 1. These Addendums apply to this Agreement: "Agreement" means the Federal Reserve's Order ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2. This Agreement is subject to Fed Rules for submission of this Agreement and to all other terms and conditions of Fed Rules. If there is a Dispute, the dispute will be settled by arbitration or mediation. 3. The above Addendum is signed on behalf of Federal Reserve and executed by: [Signature] Title: [Title] Date: [Date] 4. Notary Public will witness signature of designated as above and acknowledge [Redacted] IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA TRUE SKY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff, vs. DERRICK MARK BARRETT, Defendant. Case No. SCRA AFFIDAVIT State of Oklahoma, County of Oklahoma, I, Lois A. Clarkson, state that I am a Paralegal for Hall & Ludlam, PLLC, authorized to make this affidavit on its behalf in this case. As of the current date, the Defendant, DERRICK MARK BARRETT, is not in military service according to the SCRA website. I have used the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Website (https://scra.dmdc.osd.mil/) to determine the Defendant's military status as attached hereto. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1746 and 12 O.S. § 426, I state under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on April 12, 2026. Lois A. Clarkson, Paralegal Jeffery S. Ludlam, OBA # 17822 HALL & LUDLAM, PLLC 210 Park Ave., Ste. 3001 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 P: 405-600-9500 | F: 405-600-9550 E: [email protected] [email protected] Attorneys for True Sky Federal Credit Union EXHIBIT "B" Status Report Pursuant to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act SSN: XXX-XX-8813 Birth Date: Jun-XX-1988 Last Name: BARRETT First Name: DERRICK Middle Name: MARK Status As Of: Apr-22-2026 Certificate ID: 4MJJTW3Q44Y0F9NS Upon searching the data banks of the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center, based on the information that you provided, the above is the status of the individual on the active duty status date as to all branches of the Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, NOAA, Public Health, and Coast Guard). This status includes information on a Servicemember or his/her unit receiving notification of future orders to report for Active Duty. The Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) is an organization of the Department of Defense (DoD) that maintains the Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database which is the official source of data on eligibility for military medical care and other eligibility systems. The DoD strongly supports the enforcement of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 USC App. § 3901 et seq, as amended) (SCRA) (formerly known as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940). DMDC has issued hundreds of thousands of "does not possess any information indicating that the individual is currently on active duty" responses, and has experienced only a small error rate. In the event the individual referenced above, or any family member, friend, or representative asserts in any manner that the individual was on active duty for the active duty status date, or is otherwise entitled to the protections of the SCRA, you are strongly encouraged to obtain further verification of the person’s status by contacting that person’s Service. Service contact information can be found on the SCRA website’s FAQ page (Q35) via this URL: https://scra.dmdc.osd.mil/scra/#/faqs. If you have evidence the person was on active duty for the active duty status date and you fail to obtain this additional Service verification, punitive provisions of the SCRA may be invoked against you. See 50 USC App. § 3921(c). This response reflects the following information: (1) The individual’s Active Duty status on the Active Duty Status Date (2) Whether the individual left Active Duty status within 367 days preceding the Active Duty Status Date (3) Whether the individual or his/her unit received early notification to report for active duty on the Active Duty Status Date. More information on "Active Duty Status" Active duty status as reported in this certificate is defined in accordance with 10 USC § 101(d) (1). Prior to 2010 only some of the active duty periods less than 30 consecutive days in length were available. In the case of a member of the National Guard, this includes service under a call to active service authorized by the President or the Secretary of Defense under 32 USC § 502(f) for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds. All Active Guard Reserve (AGR) members must be assigned against an authorized mobilization position in the unit they support. This includes Navy Training and Administration of the Reserves (TARs), Marine Corps Active Reserve (ARs) and Coast Guard Reserve Program Administrator (RPAs). Active Duty status also applies to a Uniformed Service member who is an active duty commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Commissioned Corps). Coverage Under the SCRA is Broader in Some Cases Coverage under the SCRA is broader in some cases and includes some categories of persons on active duty for purposes of the SCRA who would not be reported as on Active Duty under this certificate. SCRA protections are for Title 10 and Title 14 active duty records for all the Uniformed Services periods. Title 32 periods of Active Duty are not covered by SCRA, as defined in accordance with 10 USC § 101(d)(1). Many times orders are amended to extend the period of active duty, which would extend SCRA protections. Persons seeking to rely on this website certification should check to make sure the orders on which SCRA protections are based have not been amended to extend the inclusive dates of service. Furthermore, some protections of the SCRA may extend to persons who have received orders to report for active duty or to be inducted, but who have not actually begun active duty or actually reported for induction. The Last Date on Active Duty entry is important because a number of protections of the SCRA extend beyond the last dates of active duty. Those who could rely on this certificate are urged to seek qualified legal counsel to ensure that all rights guaranteed to Service members under the SCRA are protected WARNING: This certificate was provided based on a last name, SSN/date of birth, and active duty status date provided by the requester. Providing erroneous information will cause an erroneous certificate to be provided.