When news broke of an "incident" that occurred on a Norman North High School bus returning from a wrestling tournament, details were scarce. Reports only indicated that the allegations were "disturbing," and that two coaches were immediately suspended. Now, more details have been released following the arrest of four high school wrestlers accused of sexually assaulting two other wrestlers--one of them a 12-year-old boy.
Tanner Shipman, 18, is charged with three counts of rape by instrumentation for one incident involving a 16-year-old student and two incidents involving a 12-year-old student.
Sage Gandenberger, 17, and Chase Smith, 16, are each charged as youthful offenders with three counts of rape by instrumentation for the same incidents as those alleged in Shipman's case.
A fourth teen, Hunter Matthews, 17, is charged with one count of rape by instrumentation for one incident involving the younger student.
All four teens have since been released on bond. Although the District Attorney's Office requested bond in the amount of $50,000 for the 18-year-old, who faces adult charges, and $10,000 to $20,000 for the teens charged as youthful offenders, Garvin County District Judge Trisha Miska set the bond for all three teens at $5,000--an act which stunned many Oklahomans.
A CNN report says that the charges stem from the alleged sexual assaults of two wrestlers as the team from Norman North returned from a tournament in Pauls Valley. Investigators say that Shipman and other students physically restrained the 16-year-old student while two of the wrestlers digitally penetrated the victim's anus over his clothing, and forced the teen to touch Shipman's crotch.
The allegations state that they then attempted to lure the 12-year-old middle school wrestler to the back of the bus, and when that failed, the older wrestlers dragged him to the back of the bus and performed the same type of assault against him.
The teens are accused of assaulting the 12-year-old again when they arrived back at Norman North. Investigators say they forced the younger boy into a secluded corner and assaulted him. The boy allegedly tried to escape, but the older wrestlers caught up to him and forced him between two cars to continue the assault. The alleged assault ended when the boy's parent happened upon the scene.
First degree rape by instrumentation is a felony sex crime punishable by 5 years to life in prison. Those charged as youthful offenders will likely face lighter sentencing.
The defendants are due back in court in April.
A former Delaware County Sheriff's deputy was arrested yesterday after surrendering to authorities on a complaint of making a lewd or indecent proposal to a minor.
Garrick Walker, 25, of Jay, was a deputy with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office from 2014 until he was fired from the agency earlier this month. Now, the state has filed charges against him after he was accused of propositioning a 14-year-old girl. Walker surrendered yesterday and was arrested and booked into the Delaware County Jail. He has since been released on $20,000 bond.
Walker was fired two days after allegedly asking the girl repeatedly if she would like to "experiment" with him, and telling her that no one would have to know. According to a probable cause affidavit, Walker admitted to discussing sex with the teen and telling her that she "needed experience."
Although, the defendant has thus far only been charged with lewd proposals to a minor, the affidavit alleges that he may have also had physical sexual contact with the teen and her little sister, who is a fifth grader. Investigators say that Walker said that if he had inappropriate contact with the teen, it occurred "accidentally" while he was tickling her.
If investigation reveals sufficient evidence of inappropriate physical contact, the defendant could face additional charges.
Lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child under 16 (21 O.S. § 1123) is a broad statute that covers a number of actions considered to have lewd or sexual intent. Not only does the law prohibit physical sexual contact with a minor under the age of 16, but also making sexual suggestions--whether verbal, written, or electronic--and even "looking upon" a minor in a "lewd or lascivious manner."
Lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child under 16 is a felony sex crime even if no physical contact occurs. It is punishable by three to 20 years in prison, unless the child involved is under the age of 12. Cases involving lewd acts or indecent proposals to a child aged 11 or younger are punishable by a minimum of 25 years in prison. In all cases, conviction mandates lifetime sex offender registration.
A Sand Springs man remains in the Tulsa County Jail after allegedly holding his girlfriend hostage, raping her, and beating her over the course of four days.
On Sunday, a woman called police to report that she had been held captive and repeatedly assaulted by her boyfriend for the past several days. She told police that the incident began when David Draper, 44, began verbally abusing her the prior Thursday after accusing her of sleeping around.
She reported that she tried to leave, but Draper began hitting her in the head until she fell down. Once she was down, she says, he continued to strike her in the head and ribs.
After physically abusing her, she reported, Draper then put a lock on the door to lock her inside, and he kept the key on his person at all times so she couldn't leave. She told police that the man told her she could leave only if he let her leave, throwing her cell phone in a toilet so that she had no way to summon help or communicate with anyone.
Over the next few days, she says, he repeatedly abused her and sexually assaulted her, forcing her to perform sex acts, sexually assaulting her with a wooden club, throwing objects at her--including a remote control and an e-cigarette, choking her, and striking her several times with a hatchet.
The woman says she was able to get free from Draper by convincing him that she needed to go to a friend's house to get some things. Although he accompanied her to the friend's house, he left while she was there. The woman and her friend quickly contacted police, who noticed injuries and defensive wounds consistent with her testimony.
Police arrested Draper on complaints of kidnapping, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon, rape by instrumentation, and forcible oral sodomy. He is held on $160,000 bond.
The complaints on which the suspect is held are serious felonies, conviction of which are punishable by lengthy prison terms and sex offender registration:
Both rape and forcible sodomy are sex offenses mandating lifetime sex offender registration for anyone convicted in Oklahoma.
A volunteer Bible class teacher at a Del City church has been charged with dozens of sex crimes after a 16-year-old girl told a Del City High School teacher that she felt like the man "brainwashed" her into having a sexual relationship.
The girl told police she was only 14 years old when she began a sexual relationship with Donnie Ray Schultz, 45, a man she befriended while attending his Bible class at Calvary Christian Church in Del City. She said the sexual relationship began in July 2014 and continued until November 2015.
The girl reported numerous places where she and the suspect allegedly had sex, including the church, his home, her home, homes where he did repair work as a self-employed handyman, and even a storage unit in Oklahoma City. She told police that the suspect took pictures and video of some of their encounters.
FBI agents serving a search warrant allegedly found illicit images of the girl and suspect on his home computer and cell phone.
Schultz was arrested on multiple felony sex crime complaints, including 19 counts of second degree rape, 31 counts of forcible oral sodomy, and one count each of manufacturing child pornography, possession of child pornography, and engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses in two or more counties. In addition to the state charges he faces, he may also face additional federal child pornography charges.
An official with the church said they were stunned by the allegations against Schultz. The church says he is a volunteer, not a paid staff member, and that the class he teaches is intended for adults.
Church officials said that Schultz has been a member of the congregation for nearly 20 years, and he came to them at the recommendation of his previous church. It is important to understand that the church had to give him permission to attend, because at the time he came to the Del City church, he was a registered sex offender.
Schultz was convicted of second degree rape in Cleveland County in 1995, and under the state's sex offender registration requirements at the time, he was required to register as a sex offender until 2013.
When the federal government passed the Adam Walsh Act of 2006, states were required to assign one of three risk levels to everyone convicted of sex crimes. Level 1 sex offenders have to register for 15 years, Level 2 offenders for 25 years, and Level 3 offenders for life. Shortly thereafter, second degree rape (statutory rape) became a Level 3 sex offense in Oklahoma, requiring lifetime sex offender registration.
Investigators believe there may be more minors involved in the case against Schultz, and say he could face additional state and federal charges as the investigation progresses.
The OSBI announced yesterday that a process server in Moore was arrested after several women complained that he had sexually assaulted them during visits to his office.
According to an OSBI facebook release, the agency interviewed "nearly a dozen" women who claimed that Robert Vincent Wonsch, 24, attempted to waive or reduce fees for serving divorce papers in exchange for sexual favors. Three of the women say that Wonsch propositioned them when their children were present. At least four of the women interviewed say that the man sexually assaulted them fondling them, hugging them, kissing them, or pinning them up against the wall.
Some of his accusers claim that the man showed them a badge and a gun, claiming to be a police officer. One says that he refused to let her leave the office, and another says he forced a sex act. In that case, the woman said she had insufficient money to pay for his services, and he offered to do the work for free. Instead, she says, he came to her work and forced her to perform oral sex.
OSBI agents arrested Wonsch at his home yesterday and booked him into the Cleveland County Jail on multiple criminal complaints, including four counts of sexual battery, three counts of engaging in or soliciting prostitution, one count of kidnapping, one count of forcible sodomy, and one count of impersonating an officer.
Sexual battery is a felony sex crime punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Forcible sodomy, likewise a felony offense, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Conviction of either crime mandates lifetime sex offender registration in Oklahoma.
The complaints against the process server date back to January 2015, when he was employed by Express Documents and Mediations. The company says it severed ties with the man immediately upon learning of the allegations, and says it is cooperating with the investigation. Wonsch has been a licensed process server in Oklahoma since 2012, and investigators are concerned that their may be more accusers to come forward.
One local media outlet reports that the man was fired from another job--Kaizen Investigations--in 2013 for unethical conduct, including failure to turn money over to the company and “soliciting hookers to come to his room” on business trips.
The OSBI is asking anyone who may have information related to the case to contact the agency at 1-800-522-8017.
In Oklahoma, there are a number of crimes that fall under the umbrella of “sex offenses.” These crimes range from violent crimes, such as forcible rape, to less egregious offenses, including some which require no physical contact at all.
Crimes against children and first degree rape are among the most serious sex crimes, but not every sex offense involves intercourse or vaginal or anal penetration. Forcible sodomy, for example, typically refers to oral sex, and despite its name, the act is not always “forcible.” In fact, forcible sodomy is the crime with which a person would be charged if he or she engaged in oral sex with a willing partner who was legally unable to consent to sex due to age or custodial status.
One of these non-penetration sex crimes is sexual battery. Sexual battery is a sex offense involving nonconsensual physical sexual contact that falls short of rape, rape by instrumentation, or forcible sodomy. Sexual battery occurs against a person aged 16 or older; if the incident involves a minor under the age of 16, it is typically charged as lewd acts with a minor. Lewd molestation, or child sexual abuse, typically involves sexual abuse of a minor under 18 by someone responsible for the well-being of that child.
Sexual battery is also charged if sexual contact occurs between two people when one of them is unable to provide legal consent for reasons other than age. Sexual contact is forbidden in the following relationships:
What acts would constitute sexual battery? Non-consensual groping, fondling, or other physical contact for the sexual gratification of the person making contact. An unwanted pinch, slap, or pat could be considered sexual battery.
Even though the person performing the act might think that the contact was minor or playful, the consequences of a sexual battery conviction can be severe. Sexual battery is a felony sex crime, and the maximum sentence is 10 years in prison. However, for many people convicted of sexual battery, the most difficult part of the sentence is sex offender registration. Sexual battery is a Level 3 sex crime—the highest risk level under state and federal law. In Oklahoma, anyone who is convicted of a Level 3 sex offense must register as a sex offender for life.
In August, a 10-year-old student at Epperly Heights Elementary School in Del City told police that a teacher had forcibly raped her in a bathroom stall three months earlier.
The girl said that a fifth grade teacher forced his way into a handicapped stall with her last May, where he threatened her with a silver box knife and raped her while she screamed and kicked at him. She said the teacher told her that he would kill her if she told anyone.
After the girl reported the allegations to police, they arrested Raymond Keith Crawford, 44, on a complaint of first degree rape. He was released in early September after his bond was lowered from $500,000 to $50,000; however, he was ordered to wear a GPS monitor, and he was prohibited from working as a teacher or working with children in any way.
Crawford now resides in Florida.
This week, two days before Christmas, Crawford was formally charged in the case. He denies the allegations against him. It is important to remember that all defendants are to be considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
In Oklahoma, first degree rape is defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse occurring under one or more of the following conditions (21 O.S. § 1114):
The allegations against the former teacher include both rape of a child under 14 and rape accomplished through force, violence, or the threat of force or violence.
Oklahoma law, by statute, ascribes the maximum penalty for first degree rape as death; however, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional for all crimes except aggravated murder. Instead, first degree rape in Oklahoma is punishable by 5 years to life in prison. It is a Level 3 sex offense requiring lifetime sex offender registration.
A Texas man has been charged with felony assault crimes after making good on a threat to drive his truck into the lobby of an Oklahoma hotel.
According to employees of the Comfort Inn and Suites in Alva, a man became irate after the hotel attempted to charge his credit card, but it was declined. The man became so belligerent that the two female employees called police to the scene.
Surveillance video shows the man, identified as 62-year-old John Edward Parsley of Gonzales, Texas, leaving the hotel and getting into his 2006 Sierra GMC, which was parked facing the hotel entrance. In the video, an officer approaches to speak with Parsley, who quickly accelerates, smashing through the entrance of the lobby and continuing through the desk. The two hotel clerks dive out of the way, narrowly avoiding being run over by the pickup truck.
The man then backs up and accelerates forward again. He appears to say something to the women he nearly struck with his vehicle before getting out of the truck and walking with his hands raised to the officer he left outside.
When the officer asked him why he crashed his truck into the lobby, Parsley allegedly replied that the women thought he was "bluffing" when he threatened to crash his truck into the hotel, and he wanted to prove that he wasn't.
Now, the man faces a high price indeed for proving a point.
Parsley is held in the Woods County Jail, charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of malicious injury to property over $1,000. State's attorneys have requested that bond be denied to Parsley, calling him both a flight risk and a danger to others. Bond will be determined at a Brill hearing on December 16, and the defendant's next court date is scheduled for January 12.
If the allegations in this case are true, it seems to be an egregious case of overreaction. Certainly, it is frustrating if a credit card is declined, but that is an issue to take up with the issuer of the credit card, not the employees tasked with telling you the card has been declined. And it can also be frustrating to make an empty threat, only to have the threatened individual call your bluff. But handling it through an act of violence can only lead to much more serious problems.
If the defendant thought it was frustrating to have a credit card declined, how much more difficult has he made his life by committing a crime? If he was in financial difficulty before, that can only be compounded by an inability to work while in jail, court costs and fees, and hiring an attorney. And with bond denied, he will be spending the holidays in jail.
Finally, the felony charges he faces are serious indeed. Each count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Malicious injury to property is a misdemeanor if the value is under $1,000, but a felony if the value is $1,000 or greater. A person convicted faces not only prison time, but also must pay restitution of three times the damages, which may be collected through civil action.
Three weeks ago, Courtney Hansche brought her unresponsive 4-year-old daughter to St. John's Hospital in Owasso. She told authorities that she had arrived home to find her 4 daughter Jaydenn unconscious in their Ramona home in rural Washington County. Medical personnel notified the Washington County Sheriff's Department about the unresponsive child, and a short time later, the girl was pronounced dead. Deputies began investigating the girl's death as a homicide.
Now, nearly a month later, authorities have made two arrests in connection with Jaydenn's death: the girl's mother and her mother's boyfriend.
Courtney Hansche, 26, is held on complaints of first degree murder, first degree rape by instrumentation, child abuse, and child neglect. Her boyfriend,Michael Andrew Nordbye, 27, is held on charges of first degree murder, first degree rape by instrumentation, and child abuse.
Hansche also has a pending felony embezzlement case filed in August 2014 related to allegations that she embezzled $8,200 from Mo's Corner, a convenience store in Collinsville, Oklahoma.
Nordbye's criminal record includes deferred sentences for public intoxication and misdemeanor drug possession in 2011. Last year, he was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and malicious injury to property. The assault charge was dismissed at the request of the state, and he was given a deferred sentence for malicious injury to property. He is currently on probation for that offense.
Neither embezzlement nor destruction of property seem to predicate the brutal allegations against Hansche and Nordbye. While neither has been formally charged as of this writing, the crimes on which they are held are each punishable by life in prison.
Currently, Hansche and Nordbye are held on the same criminal complaints, with the exception of a child neglect complaint the mother faces that her boyfriend does not. It will be interesting to note whether formal charges deviate from the arrest charges. Under Oklahoma law, both child abuse and enabling child abuse carry the same penalties. Enabling child abuse is a "failure to protect" law that holds a parent responsible if he or she leaves the child in the care of someone known to be abusive, or someone he or she should have reasonably known was abusive.
This means that a parent--often a mother--who leaves the child with an abusive caregiver--often the mother's boyfriend or spouse--faces life in prison for enabling child abuse, even if he or she never used violence or physical force against the child. There is much controversy about "failure to protect" laws and how they often unfairly prosecute victims of domestic violence who feel unable to leave an abusive relationship. Read more about women who receive harsher penalties than their abusers here.
Emergency medical personnel responding to a call of a child with difficulty breathing discovered a horrific case of neglect--a 5-year-old girl weighing only 19 pounds. For comparison, the average 5-year-old girl weighs 40 pounds; the average 9-month-old girl weighs 19 pounds.
The girl was transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Tulsa for treatment; her mother was arrested and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Doctors at St. Francis determined that the girl was extremely malnourished and dehydrated, and they found that she suffered a number of medical conditions and complications likely related to malnutrition and chronic neglect.
DHS workers say this is not the first time they have investigated the girl's mother for abuse. They say that Christina Calhoun, 25, is involved in pending child abuse investigations, and at least one claim of child neglect involving failure to provide nutrition and medical attention was substantiated earlier this year. Authorities claim that Calhoun refused offered services and attempted to hinder DHS investigations by covering the girl with a blanket so that child welfare workers could not see the degree of malnutrition.
Calhoun was booked into the Tulsa County Jail on a complaint of child abuse, and she is held on $100,000 bond.
Child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and sexual abuse are prohibited and penalized under 21 O.S. § 843.5. Under Oklahoma law, child abuse or neglect and enabling child abuse or neglect are punished equally. Anyone convicted of abusing or neglecting a child, or allowing the abuse or neglect of a child, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Authorities have indicated that in the case described above, there may be other individuals who had seen the child's condition and failed to report the chronic neglect. They say further arrests may be forthcoming.
Oklahoma law defines child neglect in 10A O.S. § 1-1-105 as a failure to provide for the basic needs of the child, including "nurturance and affection, food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, or appropriate education; medical, dental, or behavioral health care; supervision or appropriate caretakers; or special care made necessary by the physical or mental condition of the child." It also includes failure to protect a child from exposure to illegal drugs or sexual activity or materials that are not age-appropriate. Abandonment, except in the case of a newborn surrendered according to the Oklahoma's Baby Safe Haven law, is also grounds for a child neglect charge.
State law defines "heinous and shocking neglect" as follows:
