Tulsa World: Officer must face trial on drug count

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Officer must face trial on drug count
The cocaine-possession charge is upgraded to a count of possession with an intent to distribute.

Suspended Tulsa Police Officer Travis Ludwig walks toward a courtroom at the Tulsa County Courthouse on Friday for his preliminary hearing on a felony drug possession charge. The charge was upgraded to drug possession with an intent to distribute. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer
Published: 11/21/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/21/2009 3:55 AM

A Tulsa police officer was bound over for trial Friday on an upgraded charge of possessing cocaine with an intent to distribute it.

Tulsa County Special Judge Kirsten Pace determined at a preliminary hearing that there was probable cause to proceed with the prosecution of Officer Travis Ludwig, 37, and to upgrade the charge from felony drug possession.

The charge was amended at the request of Assistant District Attorney Tony Evans.

Evans presented evidence showing that cocaine, scales and about $4,000 in cash were discovered in Ludwig's police car and Collinsville home when they were searched Sept. 22.

Ludwig was suspended with pay after his arrest that same day.

Ludwig maintains his innocence and said he doesn't know where the drugs came from. He said it is not uncommon for a drug suspect to leave drugs in a police car while being transported to jail.

"I am not a bad person, and I am certainly not a drug dealer," he said. "Does anyone think that a cop would be selling drugs on the street without everyone knowing about it? It's ridiculous. I have never sold drugs to anyone. It never happened."

If convicted, Ludwig could be sentenced to five years to life in prison, Evans said.

"I respect the judge's decision," defense attorney Paul Brunton said, "but to think that there was enough evidence to support intent to distribute flies in the face of all logic, both legally and otherwise.

"Being a paranoid defense attorney, I am inclined to think that there are forces in play here that concern me. Taken in context to what is happening with the federal grand jury, I have concerns for the system and what's being done here."

As first reported by the Tulsa World on Nov. 8, federal officials are circulating a photographic lineup, which includes several Tulsa police officers who are believed to be the focus of a grand jury investigation into possible police corruption, stolen money and perjury.

Brunton said Ludwig is not involved in that investigation.

The grand jury is meeting in a secret location and is expected to produce indictments next month, a World investigation shows.

Prosecutors appear to be focusing on several officers assigned to the Tulsa Police Department's Special Investigations Division.

Additionally, an agent either currently or formerly employed with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a target of the probe.

Ludwig also said he is not the focus of the federal grand jury.

"I have talked to no one, and I have not been approached," he told the Tulsa World on Friday.

During Friday's hearing it was revealed that investigators had placed a global positioning device on Ludwig's squad car in May and August, defense attorney Scott Wood said.

Brunton said that "if there was anything to it, don't you think it would have been brought up with details? The state has not produced one person who says they bought drugs from Travis or knows of him selling drugs or being involved in such activity."

Ludwig also is charged with possessing drug paraphernalia — "scales used by abusers of drugs" — a misdemeanor. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on bond.

Omer Gillham 581-8301
omer.gillham@tulsaworld.com By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Judge rules Tulsa police officer bound over for trial," which was published on 11/20/2009.

	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (11/20/2009 1:41:01 PM) Crooked officer. Not getting off as easy as you thought huh.
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (11/20/2009 1:45:18 PM) If he's guilty...fire and prosecute. His salary could be used to hire back on the officers laid off. He should not be on the payroll if suspended.
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (11/20/2009 1:45:40 PM) oops! "one of the officers"
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (11/20/2009 1:46:24 PM) FS: Made no sense.
	Report Comment believe, (11/20/2009 1:46:52 PM) Somebody PLANTED those Drugs in his car. And he just keep Drug Paraphernalia in his home because the person that planted the drugs in his car might stop by and have a PLANTED Fix.
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (11/20/2009 1:48:02 PM) Did I miss something? Where does it say anything was found in his home?
	Report Comment Carlos, Tulsa (11/20/2009 1:50:29 PM) This weasel should get burned for the simple fact that he set his wife's ex-husband up on drug charges while they were still married to get him out of the way. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would come forward saying Ludwig sold to them but why would a drug user turn in his dealer?
	Report Comment livinintheburbs, (11/20/2009 1:51:28 PM) He should be on Unpaid administrative leave...
	Report Comment Whocanutrust?, (11/20/2009 1:51:40 PM) It does not fill like justice when you are on the other side.
	Report Comment BWR, (11/20/2009 2:04:58 PM) If he's really guilty then send him to the joint. If he's not then he's being set up. Truth eventually rises to the top. Unfortunately, the scum also rises.
	Report Comment believe, (11/20/2009 2:08:14 PM) Calloy, Good Point Open Position Please Fill. What the ?-Go back and read the prior full story Drug Paraphernalia and Drug Scales were found in his home But they were Planted There....
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (11/20/2009 2:19:00 PM) Excellent point calloy!!!
	Report Comment Libertista, BA (11/20/2009 2:49:53 PM) What? A policeman that wasn't "cleared of wrong doing" by his own department? I can't believe it.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:09:06 PM) TW no mug shot available. Would like to see what this guy really looks like.
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:36:26 PM) It was found in his car...not home.
	Report Comment okkevin, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:46:31 PM) Setup! Free Ludwig!
	Report Comment Kilgore.Trout, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:47:28 PM) Brunton was the criminal defense attorney who represented Jerry Webber's son in his trial where he was sentenced to ten years. The plea bargain was for much much less.
	Report Comment believe, (11/20/2009 4:05:31 PM) What the ?~IT WAS PLANTED NOT FOUND REMEMBER THAT SO THIS WILL NOT BE USED AGAINST HIM.
	Report Comment What the ?, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:15:49 PM) Is that what the defense attorney's are saying? Just asking...I swear I read it was just "planted" in his squad car. Shoot, one media says so many different things, I can't remember them all.
	Report Comment DavidM F, Somewhere (11/20/2009 4:58:31 PM) Someone could left the drugs in my car while taking someone to jail.HA HA. I thought the police search people before taking them to jail. He must of missed the cocaine & scales in that search. Good thing it wasn't a gun the crimnal left in your car...
	Report Comment blindshoe, (11/20/2009 4:59:51 PM) DID HE DRIVE THE CITY OWNED CAR HOME
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/20/2009 5:02:14 PM) On to the final step towards justice. Now what's going on with that grand jury that will wipe out Tulsa's entire police force?
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (11/20/2009 6:04:18 PM) Yes he will remain on paid administrative leave. Why TPD didn't politely ask this guy for an immediate urin analysis is beyond me. Most employers have that provision implemented in the work agreement. His wife is a stripper. Whaddaya think? Would strippers use drugs as a numbing effect to detach thsemselvs from their job. Imagine what it feels like having some sleezy scum sticking his hand in your bikini bottom with little more protection than a dollar bill. My bet still rests with her direct involvement in this situation. I heard a quote in TW comments from a veteran police officer, he said. " your badge may let you get any woman you want. All it takes though is one woman to take that badge away from you." looks like that's what's happening here. Don't let women lead you with their sex. Follow your heart not your nose.
	Report Comment sirwinston, (11/20/2009 6:16:56 PM) Did they drug test him? I'm sad, Oprah is going off the air. :(
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (11/20/2009 6:26:52 PM) No blindshoe previous news story said his car was jerked out from under him. Something about all he could remove was a duffel bag probably no way to get the drugs and etc out without being transparent. Bet he wished he had never sunk his teeth into this one. He probably had all the clients he could handle selling to strippers. You think any of them will come forward. HAHAHAHA

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