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June 18, 2013
5-day Forecast Tulsa World  
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World analysis shows wide disparity in driver's testing results in Oklahoma

The odds of passing a driver's test for a Class D license might depend in part on where the test is taken and who gives the exam, a Tulsa World analysis of exam data shows.

 
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Source: Wes Lunt to transfer to Illinois

Lunt will have to sit out this season but will have three years of eligibility remaining. Lunt’s family lives in Rochester, Ill., about an hour and a half from the Illinois campus.

 
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Tulsa housing market making real recovery

Ask several Tulsa real estate professionals how business was a few years ago, and you'll get similar answers.

 
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Swon Brothers one step closer to winning 'The Voice'

The winner of the NBC competition will be announced during its Tuesday night live show. The Muskogee duo sang an Eagles song during Monday's performance.

 
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Grand jury investigation of TPD


Prosecutor Jane Duke speaks to the media after the verdicts were handed down in the Tulsa police corruption trial of Jeff Henderson and Bill Yelton on Aug. 24, 2011. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World

The scandal involving corruption within the Tulsa Police Department had its roots in an investigation five years ago and continues to impact the city with lawsuits and defendants freed from prison.

The federal investigation resulted in charges against six former Tulsa police officers and a former federal agent, as well as accusations of criminal behavior against five unindicted officers.

Three officers and an agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms went to prison. Three officers were fired and one retired.

At least 48 people have had their sentence modified or vacated because of civil rights violations or potential problems with their cases that were uncovered because of the corruption probe. Plaintiffs filed at least 16 state and federal lawsuits against the city or individual officers as a result.

Meanwhile, the Tulsa Police Department announced new policies involving lying on police reports, handling of seized cash and documenting use of informants.

Here is a summary of the trials and officers involved:

First police trial: May 31 to June 10, 2011
Defendants: Tulsa police officers Nick DeBruin, Bruce Bonham and retired Cpl. Harold R. Wells. DeBruin and Bonham are assigned to patrol; Wells was also a patrol corporal.
Indictments: Unsealed July 20, 2010, alleging the officers stole money during an FBI sting May 18, 2009 and planted drugs on individuals to gain convictions. Wells indicted on 10 counts, DeBruin on six and Bonham on five.
Prosecutor: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke, Eastern District of Arkansas
Judge: U.S. District Judge Bruce Black, of New Mexico
Outcome: Wells convicted of five counts. Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to 10 years in federal prison and five years probation. He is serving his time in Duluth, Minn.; DeBruin and Bonham acquitted on all counts.

Second police trial: Aug. 1 to Aug. 24, 2011
Defendants: Tulsa police officers Jeff Henderson and Bill Yelton, assigned to the Special Investigations Division.
Indictments: Unsealed July 20, 2010. Henderson is charged with 53 counts related to perjury, civil rights violations, drugs, witness tampering and one firearms count. Yelton is charged with eight counts: four related to civil rights violations, two related to witness tampering, one related to suborning perjury and one count of attempted retaliation against a witness, which was added in September 2010.
Prosecutor: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke, Eastern District of Arkansas
Judge: U.S. District Judge Bruce Black, of New Mexico
Outcome: Henderson found guilty on eight counts; Yelton acquitted. Henderson found not guilty on 45 other counts. Jurors deliberated for 23 hours over four days. Henderson found guilty on count 39, which relates to a charge of deprivation of civil rights stemming from the search of Carah Bartel and William Kinnard. His other guilty counts relate to perjury in testimony during a suppression hearing in the federal case of Ronald Crawford. Henderson sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to 42 months prison time and three years probation. Because of credit for time served and with good behavior, Henderson is expected to serve about 20 months in federal prison. He is serving his time in Yankton, S.D.

Live Chats
The Tulsa World conducted live chats during the verdicts and sentencings in this case. Here are transcripts of each:
Verdicts / McFadden sentencing / Wells sentencing / Gray sentencing / Henderson sentencing

Officers indicted or named in grand jury probe

Tulsa Police Officer Jeff Henderson
hendersonmugcc
- Hired June 5, 1995. Placed on paid leave in March; suspended without pay July 23.
- Assignment: Special Investigations Division.
- Indicted July 20, 2010 on 58 counts: 22 counts related to perjury, 20 related to civil rights violations, 12 related to drugs, two witness tampering counts, one firearms count and one attempted bribery count.
- Henderson was convicted Aug. 24, 2011 on two counts of civil rights violations and six counts of perjury. He was acquitted on 45 counts of perjury, civil rights violations, drug conspiracy and witness tampering.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to 42 months in prison time and three years probation. Because of credit for time served and with good behavior, Henderson is expected to serve about 20 months in federal prison. Serving his time in Yankton, S.D.
- Returned to Tulsa Jail 2012 to face perjury allegation.

Former ATF Agent Brandon McFadden
mcfaddenmugccc
- Hired by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on July 15, 2002.
- Resigned from ATF on Sept. 25, 2009.
- Pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy May 6, 2010 in federal court.
- Cooperated with prosecutors and released to home in Lubbock, Texas, pending trial.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to 21 months in federal prison. Serving his time in Seagoville federal facility, near Dallas.


Former Tulsa Police Officer Harold R. Wells
haroldwellsgjp
- Hired Oct. 1, 1975.
- Retired in May 2010.
- Assignment before retiring: Gilcrease Division.
- Indicted July 20, 2010 on 10 counts: three related to civil rights violations, three related to drugs, two related to theft of U.S. funds, one firearms count and one count of using a telephone to commit a felony. Released on bond.
- Convicted June 10, 2011 of five counts: knowingly carrying and possessing a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crime, conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substance (methamphetamine), Conspiracy to steal U.S. funds, stealing U.S. funds and use of a telephone to commit a felony.
- On Aug. 22, U.S. District Judge Bruce Black acquitted Wells of a single count of carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. While Black threw out the gun charge, he rejected a motion by Wells' attorneys to dismiss all the counts against him. Wells remained convicted on four counts.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to 10 years in federal prison and five years probation. Serving time in Duluth, Minn.

Tulsa Police Officer Nick DeBruin
debruingjpg
- Hired July 6, 1999.
- Assigned to Special Investigations Division, 2002-05, later assigned to patrol.
- Placed on paid leave July 21, 2010; suspended without pay July 23, 2010.
- Indicted July 20, 2010 on six counts: two counts related to theft of U.S. funds, two related to civil rights violations, one drug count and one firearm count. Released on bond.
- Acquitted of all counts June 10, 2011 and pay reinstated.
- Fired Jan. 20, 2012, by TPD after an internal affairs review of the case.

Tulsa Police Officer Bruce Bonham
bonhamgjpg
- Hired Aug. 13, 1990.
- Placed on paid leave July 21, 2010; suspended without pay July 23, 2010.
- Indicted July 20, 2010 on five counts: two counts related to theft of U.S. funds, one count related to civil rights violations, one drug count and one firearm count. Released on bond.
- Acquitted of all counts June 10, 2011 and pay reinstated.
- Fired Jan. 20, 2012, by TPD after internal affairs review of the case.


Tulsa Police Officer Bill Yelton
billyletongjpg
- Hired April 16, 1985.
- Assignment before retirement: Special Investigations Division.
- Placed on administrative duty June 18, 2010 and paid leave July 21, 2010. Suspended without pay July 23, 2010.
- Indicted July 20, 2010 on seven counts: four related to civil rights violations, two related to witness tampering and one related to perjury.
- Ordered held without bail.
- Acquitted on all counts Aug. 24, 2011. Released from jail the same day.
- Suspended with pay pending an Internal Affairs investigation and retired in May.

Former Tulsa Police Officer John K. Gray
hendersonmugcc
- Hired March 1, 1990.
- Retired in May 2010.
- Assignment before retiring: Mingo Valley Division.
- Pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing money during an FBI sting.
- Cooperated with prosecutors and released on bond before sentencing.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to four months in prison plus and four years probation. Served his time in prison in Pollock, La.
- Released in May 2012.

Tulsa Police Officer Eric Hill
hendersonmugcc
- Hired July 5, 2005.
- Former assignment: Gilcrease Division.
- Placed on paid leave June 22.
- Court records say he admitted stealing drug money during a bust.
- Arrested July 19 on unrelated complaint of domestic assault and battery.
- Fired Aug. 18, 2010 for admitting that he planted drugs during drug arrests.
- On Sept. 14, 2010, Hill was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. The case was dismissed Jan. 28, 2011.

Former Tulsa Police Officer Callison Kaiser
CallsionKaisermug
- Hired Oct. 8, 2004.
- Resigned August 2008 to work for U.S. Secret Service.
- Resigned from Secret Service in early June.
- Assignment before resigning from TPD: Gilcrease Division.
- Court records say he admitted stealing drug money during a bust.
- Cooperated with federal prosecutors.


Unindicted co-conspirators

Officer Sean Larkin: Hired: Jan. 6, 1997; Previous assignment -- UDE; Transferred to Special Investigations Division -- April 8, 2007.

Officer Frank Khalil: Hired: Jan. 3, 2000; Previous assignment -- detective; Transferred to Special Investigations Division -- Aug. 29, 2004.

Officer Shawn Hickey: Hired: March 20, 1989; Previous assignment -- UDN; Transferred to Special Investigations Division -- Aug. 26, 2001.
HEADLINES
Tulsa Police say new policies will restore trust in the department

Tulsa Police say new policies will restore trust in the department   6/16/2013

Two years after a federal police corruption probe put Tulsa police officers in court, officials say they've worked to restore public trust and prove that the problems were isolated to 'a few bad apples.'
Glenpool man to get his day in court after 4 years in jail

Glenpool man to get his day in court after 4 years in jail   6/5/2013

Haley, 58, filed his lawsuit in Tulsa federal court in June 2010 after being released from prison, where he had served four years of a 22-year sentence..
Woman sues city of Tulsa over drug case, claims police mismanagement

Woman sues city of Tulsa over drug case, claims police mismanagement   5/17/2013

A woman whose drug conviction was vacated in 2011 filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Tulsa on Thursday alleging that 'an atmosphere of lawlessness' existed within the Tulsa Police Department.
Former TPD officer appeals perjury conviction, says testimony was honest mistake

Former TPD officer appeals perjury conviction, says testimony was honest mistake   5/17/2013

A former Tulsa police officer who is appealing his 2011 police corruption convictions has a new appeal of his more recent conviction for criminal contempt.
Man seeks relief on meth conviction in TPD corruption-linked case

Man seeks relief on meth conviction in TPD corruption-linked case   3/17/2013

A man convicted in 1997 of manufacturing large quantities of meth - in part through multiple search warrants executed by convicted Tulsa police officers - asked a federal judge this week to expedite a ruling on his motion for post-conviction relief.
Tulsa dodges lawsuit tidal wave after police corruption investigation

Tulsa dodges lawsuit tidal wave after police corruption investigation   3/10/2013

Attorneys representing Tulsa against civil lawsuits related to police corruption said the city is emerging better than expected from what was predicted to be a tidal wave of lawsuits.
Judges skeptical of both sides in former Tulsa police officer appeal

Judges skeptical of both sides in former Tulsa police officer appeal   3/8/2013

Appeals court judges were skeptical of arguments made Thursday by both sides in the case of a veteran Tulsa police officer now in prison for crimes stemming from an investigation of police corruption.
Tulsa city councilors reject requests to pay for ex-cop's legal fees

Tulsa city councilors reject requests to pay for ex-cop's legal fees   3/8/2013

City councilors on Thursday rejected two requests by former Tulsa Police Officer Jeff Henderson for legal representation in two federal civil lawsuits.
Convicted cop held in contempt for perjury

Convicted cop held in contempt for perjury   2/28/2013

A federal judge held former Tulsa police officer Jeff Henderson in contempt of court Wednesday for his false testimony last year.
Jane W. Duke who headed Tulsa police scandal probe to enter private practice

Jane W. Duke who headed Tulsa police scandal probe to enter private practice   1/11/2013

Jane W. Duke, the first assistant U.S. attorney for Arkansas' Eastern District who has been assigned since 2009 to head a federal grand jury probe into law enforcement corruption in Tulsa, said she will resign Saturday from the federal prosecutor's office to enter private practice.
Jeff Henderson perjury case in hands of federal judge

Jeff Henderson perjury case in hands of federal judge   12/19/2012

Closing arguments are in, and now the case involving new accusations of perjury against a former Tulsa police officer is in a federal judge's hands.
Former Tulsa police officer's testimony focus of perjury case

Former Tulsa police officer's testimony focus of perjury case   11/27/2012

A federal judge told former Tulsa Police Officer Jeff Henderson on Monday that he was emphatic, bold and strong when he gave what is alleged to be perjurious testimony in court in June.
Suit against Tulsa reinstated

Suit against Tulsa reinstated   11/7/2012

One federal judge has reopened the lawsuit of a Glenpool man who was freed from prison as a result of a police corruption investigation, and another has dismissed a similar suit filed by another former inmate.
Prosecutors ask for hearing to advance on ex-Tulsa police officer's alleged perjury

Prosecutors ask for hearing to advance on ex-Tulsa police officer's alleged perjury   10/7/2012

Prosecutors are asking a federal judge to go forward with a hearing on alleged perjury by convicted former Tulsa Police officer Jeff Henderson during a case that later freed a man from his drug conviction, records filed Friday evening show.
Witness in Tulsa police-corruption trial arrested on drug counts

Witness in Tulsa police-corruption trial arrested on drug counts   10/6/2012

A former police informant and key witness in the Tulsa police corruption trials was arrested on drug complaints Thursday, jail records show.
Ex-inmate asks to see filing in perjury matter

Ex-inmate asks to see filing in perjury matter   10/6/2012

The attorney for a man who was freed from prison in July because of police corruption in his 2005 case has asked a judge to make public a convicted officer's explanation for the officer's alleged perjury.
Former police informant, corruption trial witness arrested on drug complaints

Former police informant, corruption trial witness arrested on drug complaints   10/5/2012

A key witness in the Tulsa police corruption trials and former policeinformant was arrested Thursday on drug complaints, jail records show.
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KEY DOCUMENTS
Read the lawsuit from Thomas Ranes, who pleaded no contest in 2010 to unlawful possession of a controlled drug. A judge vacated his sentence in September 2011.

Read the federal court filing regarding an attorney's accusations of prosecutorial misconduct.

Read the ruling by U.S. District Judge Bruce Black of New Mexico issued acquitting Cpl. Harold R. Wells of a single count of carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

Read the memorandum opinion in the Wells case.

View the Government's Witness List.

View Henderson and Yelton Witness List.

View the Government's Exhibit List.

Read about Henderson and Yelton allegedly using pepper spray on a suspect.

Read about Henderson's alleged gambling habit.

Read Lodgson's excerpts on Police
Investigation, Barneses, and FBI.

Read prosecutor Jane Duke's request to conduct interviews of jurors in the trial against Harold Wells, Bruce Bonham and Nick DeBruin.

Read the motion filed by attorney William Lunn on behalf of Bruce Bonham opposing Jane Duke's request to interview jurors.

Read the motion filed by attorney Shannon McMurray on behalf of Nick DeBruin opposing Jane Duke's request to interview jurors.

Read Judge Black's ruling on dismissing police indictments and sanctions.

Read the order throwing out Harris' life sentence

Read the defense's motion to compel government agents to testify.

Read the motion for a hearing on the government's alleged conflict of interest.

Read Officer Jeff Henderson's response to motion for sanctions.

Read the defense's response to motion for sanctions.

Read the personnel order from Police Chief Chuck Jordan about officer Eric Hill.

Read the supplement to Seymour conflict of interest.

Read the motion to determine defense attorney's conflict of interest.

Read the district attorney's informant policy.

Read the motion to consider sanctions for defense attorney.

Read a motion by attorneys for officers Jeff Henderson and Bill Yelton alleging prosecutorial misconduct.

Read Interim Police Chief Chuck Jordan’s order regarding the grand jury investigation.

Read the police department’s revised policy on lying.

Read the indictment against Henderson and Yelton.

Read the indictment against Wells, DeBruin and Bonham.

Read a statement from the Tulsa Police Department in response to the indictments.

Read McFadden detailing how he and Tulsa police stole drugs and money, falsified investigative reports and committed perjury.

Officer Eric Hill and other officers accused of lying about the facts of a drug search.

Read the Supplemental Disclosure.

Read how four Tulsa Police Officers allegedly divided up $10,000 in stolen drug money.

Read about the FBI sting that reportedly shows four Tulsa police officers pocketing drug money.

Read the letter that identifies police officers John K. Gray, 43, and Harold Wells, 59, as having their phones wire-tapped.

Read the results of a polygraph test given to Jeff Henderson that was arranged by his defense team.

View the disciplinary action against Officer Jeff Henderson for a July 2001 incident and allegations that he used pepper spray improperly in an October 2000 incident.

Read the civil suit filed against Palmer, Henderson and McFadden.

Read the affidavit which alleges that Tulsa police solicited false testimony from an informant.

Federal judge's order to release Bobby Wayne Haley Sr. from prison.

Read the federal court document that accuses Jeff Henderson and Brandon McFadden of fabricating a drug buy.

Read the indictment against Brandon J. McFadden.
EXHIBITS USED IN FIRST POLICE TRIAL


May 15, 2009: Debra Clayton calling Gray
Audio
Transcript

May 18, 2009: Motel room audio captured by clock radio camera
Audio unavailable
Transcript

July 10, 2009: Call between Harold Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

July 10, 2009: Gray calling Wells
Audio
Transcript

July 13, 2009: Gray calls Wells
Audio unavailable
Transcript

July 25, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

July 27, 2009: Gray calling Wells
Audio
Transcript

July 28, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

July 29, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

July 29, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

July 29, 2009: Meeting between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

July 29, 2009: Wells calling Gray
Audio
Transcript

July 29, 2009: Wells calling Gray
Audio
Transcript unavailable

Aug. 12, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript unavailable

Aug. 13, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI
Audio
Transcript

Aug. 16, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

Aug. 18, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

Aug. 18, 2009: Meeting between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript

Aug. 18, 2009: Wells calling Gray
Audio
Transcript

Aug. 21, 2009: Call between Wells and an undercover FBI agent
Audio
Transcript
CONTACT THE TULSA WORLD
Contact the reporter:
JARREL WADE, 918-581-8367 or jarrel.wade@tulsaworld.com

Contact the editor:
ZIVA BRANSTETTER, 918-581-8306 or ziva.branstetter@tulsaworld.com
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