Tulsa World: Ex-B'ville officer avoids jail term in theft of drugs

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Ex-B'ville officer avoids jail term in theft of drugs

SENTENCED
Kyle Willaford: A judge sentenced the former police officer to community service and substance-abuse treatment. A six-month jail term had been recommended by the prosecution but was not imposed by the judge. Willaford was charged after an OSBI investigation found that he stole drugs from the police evidence room.

By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent
Published: 10/27/2009 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 10/27/2009 4:18 AM

BARTLESVILLE — A retired police officer who pleaded guilty to stealing drugs from the department's evidence room was sentenced Monday to 80 hours of community service and mandatory substance-abuse support meetings.

Osage County District Judge John Kane, who agreed to oversee the case after Washington County judges recused themselves, handed Kyle Willaford, 48, a 10-year suspended sentence and fined him $50 on each of 14 counts of drug larceny that were filed against him in 2007.

Following recommendations from the District Attorney's Office, Kane ordered Willaford to serve 80 hours of community service in a substance-abuse program; have his medications monitored; and attend two support meetings a week through a substance-abuse recovery program.

Kane did not impose a six-month jail sentence, which had been recommended by the prosecution.

"I think the judge was as fair as he could be given the circumstances," Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser said.

"It was a case that needed to be put to rest. It has been put off several times."

Willaford was charged in July 2007 after an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation review in which it was determined that he stole more than 400 pills from the police evidence room between August 2001 and November 2006.

Willaford pleaded guilty this summer to 14 counts. The state dropped four other counts.

During Monday's hearing, Willaford apologized for his actions.

Willaford has been out of

jail on a medical recognizance bond and has undergone treatment for cancer. By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent

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	Report Comment Carlos, Tulsa (10/27/2009 11:16:04 AM) Elusive, Here's part of your answer: "I think the judge was as fair as he could be given the circumstances," Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser said. "It was a case that needed to be put to rest. It has been put off several times." The defense delayed the case to the point that the prosecution settled just to get it over with. It's no surprise to me thast he didn't serve jail time. It's just another example of good old boy justice. Cops always get off easier than the rest of us. Cancer or no cancer, stealing from the evidence room is just as bad as a doctor stealing part of his/her patient's medicine and using it on himself/herself. It is abuse of power and privileges and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 12:16:53 AM) You got it right man. The first thing a convicted person would do is file a writ of heabeous. Any person convict by his testimony will be filing papers next week.
	Report Comment AmericanMan, Tulsa (10/28/2009 12:12:13 AM) officers always get a pass. when was the last time u herd of a cop getting any time? heres why. you convict this officer then you have to consider his reports and testimonies are now questionable. then criminals in jail start filing appeals get out of prison and hire other criminals called lawyers and sue the city for millions.
	Report Comment dustyoutlaw, Tulsa (10/31/2009 8:34:07 PM) I'd like to see YOU or ME plead guilty to stealing from a police evidence room and FOURTEEN counts of illegal drug possession, countem FOURTEEN counts and still get probation. Not on this planet.
	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (10/27/2009 2:52:44 AM) The story leaves many unanswered issues. Why did it 2 years to bring it to court? Does he have terminal cancer? If not, why no probation? Sounds a little light too me.

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