First police trial: May 31 to June 10
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; DeBruin and Bonham acquitted on all counts. DeBruin and Bonham are on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.

Second police trial: Aug. 1 to Aug. 24
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: Officer Jeff Henderson was found guilty on eight counts; officer Bill Yelton was acquitted. Henderson was found not guilty on 45 other counts. Jurors deliberated for 23 hours over four days. Henderson was 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 Henderson gave during a suppression hearing in the federal case of Ronald Crawford. Henderson was sentenced Dec. 6, 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. He has asked to serve 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
hendersonmugcc
Tulsa Police Officer Jeff Henderson
- Hired June 5, 1995. Placed on paid leave in March; suspended without pay July 23.
- Current assignment: Special Investigations Division.
- Indicted July 20 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. Ordered held without bail July 23.
- Henderson was convicted Aug. 24 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. He could be sentenced to one year for each civil rights violations and five years for each perjury count.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 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. He has asked to serve his time in Yankton, S.D.


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Former ATF Agent Brandon McFadden
- 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
- Cooperating with prosecutors and released to home in Lubbock, Texas, pending trial.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011. to 21 months in federal prison. He has asked to serve his time in Seagoville near Dallas.



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Former Tulsa Police Officer Harold R. Wells
- Hired Oct. 1, 1975.
- Retired in May
- 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.
- Being held in the Tulsa Jail pending sentencing, which has not been set. Faces 15 years in prison.
- 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 remains convicted on four counts.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, 2011 to 10 years in federal prison and five years probation.


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Tulsa Police Officer Nick DeBruin
- Hired July 6, 1999.
- Assigned to Special Investigations Division, 2002-05, later assigned to patrol.
- Placed on paid leave July 21; suspended without pay July 23.
- 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
- Pay was reinstated on June 13


bonhamgjpg
Tulsa Police Officer Bruce Bonham
- Hired Aug. 13, 1990.
- Placed on paid leave July 21; suspended without pay July 23.
- 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
- Pay was reinstated on June 13



billyletongjpg
Tulsa Police Officer Bill Yelton
- Hired April 16, 1985.
- Current assignment: Special Investigations Division.
- Placed on administrative duty June 18 and paid leave July 21; suspended without pay July 23.
- Indicted July 20 on seven counts: four related to civil rights violations, two related to witness tampering and one related to perjury.
- Ordered held without bail July 23.

- Acquitted on all counts Aug. 24. Released from jail the same day. He is suspended with pay pending an Internal Affairs investigation.

hendersonmugcc
Former Tulsa Police Officer John K. Gray
- Hired March 1, 1990.
- Retired in May.
- Assignment before retiring: Mingo Valley Division.
- Pleaded guilty June 14 in federal court to stealing money during an FBI sting.
- Cooperating with prosecutors and released on bond.
- Sentenced Dec. 6, to four months in prison plus and four years probation. He is expected to serve his time in El Reno.



hendersonmugcc
Tulsa Police Officer Eric Hill
- 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.


CallsionKaisermug
Former Tulsa Police Officer Callison Kaiser
- 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.
- Cooperating with federal prosecutors.



Unindicted co-conspirators

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






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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
Witness in Tulsa police corruption case is jailed on drug complaint Witness in Tulsa police corruption case is jailed on drug complaint   2/10/2012

A man who testified against a Tulsa police officer in a police corruption trial last year has been arrested on drug complaints, records show.

Judge tosses life sentence of inmate questioned in Tulsa police scandal Judge tosses life sentence of inmate questioned in Tulsa police scandal   2/8/2012

A judge has thrown out a life sentence for an inmate once questioned by FBI agents looking into corruption of the Tulsa Police Department.

Life sentence tossed in police corruption case Life sentence tossed in police corruption case   2/7/2012

A judge has thrown out a life sentence for an inmate once questioned by FBI agents looking into corruption of the Tulsa Police Department.

Case linked to Tulsa police probe dismissed, inmate freed Case linked to Tulsa police probe dismissed, inmate freed   2/2/2012

A judge ordered on Wednesday that a man who had pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge be released immediately as the fallout of the Tulsa police corruption investigation continues to be felt in local courthouses.

Fired police officers get thousands in pensions, benefits Fired police officers get thousands in pensions, benefits   1/27/2012

Two Tulsa police officers fired after their involvement in a police corruption probe will receive thousands of dollars in retirement and benefits as part of their termination from the Tulsa Police Department.

Officers acquitted in corruption probe fired from TPD Officers acquitted in corruption probe fired from TPD   1/21/2012

Two Tulsa police officers who were acquitted at a police corruption trial in June have been fired.

Ex-ATF agent Brandon McFadden sentenced in police corruption case reports to prison Ex-ATF agent Brandon McFadden sentenced in police corruption case reports to prison   1/20/2012

The last of four law enforcement officers sentenced to prison in a police corruption case has reported to federal prison in Texas.

Two Tulsa police officers acquitted in corruption case fired Two Tulsa police officers acquitted in corruption case fired   1/20/2012

The Tulsa Police Department announced that Bruce Bonham and Nick DeBruin were terminated Friday. The department cites “duty to know, enforce and obey laws” and “conduct unbecoming of an officer” in its news release.

ATF agent sentenced in police corruption trial reports to prison ATF agent sentenced in police corruption trial reports to prison   1/19/2012

The last of four law enforcement officers sentenced to prison in December for police corruption has reported to federal prison in Texas, records show.

Ex-officer begins four-month prison sentence Ex-officer begins four-month prison sentence   1/6/2012

A former Tulsa police officer who admitted stealing money during an FBI sting has reported to prison and begun serving time in a federal facility in Louisiana, records show.

Key Documents

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:
OMER GILLHAM, 918-581-8301 or omer.gillham@tulsaworld.com

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




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