PRESS RELEASES

May 1, 2007

Sex offender guilty under new law

— A Sequoyah County man pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge of failing to register as a sex offender.
During his plea hearing, Shawn Lloyd Hinckley, 27, admitted he failed to register as a sex offender pursuant to the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The act is one provision found in the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which was passed by Congress on July 27, 2006.
Officials said Hinckley is the first person to be charged in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Oklahoma under provisions of the law, which is named after the slain son of “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh.
The law expands the federal sex offender registry, strengthens federal penalties for crimes against children, makes it harder for sexual predators to contact children on the Internet, and creates a national child abuse registry.
U.S. Deputy Marshal Dan David said Hinckley moved to Oklahoma in 2005 from Washington, where he pleaded guilty to third-degree assault with sexual motivation. Hinckley was arrested March 15 in Sequoyah County for failing to register as a sex offender after relocating to Oklahoma in accordance with the new federal law.
David said Hinckley’s arrest was the culmination of an investigation by a deputy marshal assigned solely to investigate alleged violations of the Adam Walsh law that occur in the U.S. District of Eastern Oklahoma. The law, David said, directs the U.S. Marshals Service to work with state and local authorities in locating, apprehending and prosecuting those who fail to comply with the law.
“This deputy marshal works within the U.S. Marshals Violent Offenders Task Force, where offenders — mainly those with violent criminal histories to include sex offenders — are identified and then tracked down and arrested,” said U.S. Marshal John Loyd. “The task force is comprised of local police officers, agents and (Oklahoma) Highway Patrol troopers working under the direction of the U.S. Marshals Service.”
Court records show Hinckley’s original arrest in Washington was on a charge of the third-degree rape, stemming from Hinckley having nonconsensual sex with a live-in girlfriend. His conviction for the less serious crime was the result of a plea agreement struck with prosecutors.
Hinckley later pleaded guilty in Washington for failing to register as a sex offender. Court documents indicate Hinckley notified Washington state officials of his move to Oklahoma, but failed to register with authorities here.
Hinckley’s lawyer alleged in motion to dismiss that local authorities learned of Hinckley’s failure to register after he became a crime victim himself.
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said Hinckley faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentence hearing will be scheduled upon the completion of a presentence investigation.

---Courtesy of Muskogee Phoenix, D. E. Smoot, Staff Writer---

March 8, 2007

Thank You to Choctaw Nation for the generous $5,000 donation made to our department. Look for four new police vehicles on the county roadways made possible by donations such as this, in addition to other funds generated by your sheriff's department. Thanks to people like the Choctaw Nation, we can purchase these vehicles without asking for more budget money. This means you the taxpayer wins! Thank you, thank you, thank you Choctaw Nation!

March 6, 2007

As a result of an investigation conducted by Sequoyah County Sheriff's Investigators, two Sequoyah County residents were arrested on various theft and drug related charges late last week. Sequoyah County Sheriff's Investigators reported that as a result of an investigation into stolen property, they obtained a search warrant Friday afternoon, March 2, 2007 on a residence located near Vian.

During the search process, sheriff's investigators at the scene reported recovering numerous items of stolen property from several burglary cases in Sequoyah County. Sheriff's Investigators working the case reported that the recovered property included two utility trailers, a boat trailer, welders, numerous hand tools, various household items and jewelry. Sheriff's investigators at the scene also reported finding substances appearing to be methamphetamine along with items of paraphernalia associated with the use of controlled dangerous substances.

Arrested as a result of the investigation were Nicholas Alan Scoggins of Sallisaw and Richard Allen Horn of Vian. Scoggins, 23, was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of first degree burglary and grand theft. He was released on a $16,000 bond. Horn, 44 was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of second degree burglary, knowingly concealing stolen property, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a drug without a valid prescription, two counts of grand larceny, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jail records indicate Horn is being held in lieu of a $120,000 bond.

Sheriff's investigators report all recovered items have been identified. Assisting the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department with the execution of the search warrant were members of the District 27 District Attorney's Drug Task Force.

March 6, 2007

As a result of an investigation into the illegal distribution of methamphetamine within Sequoyah County, two Muldrow area residents were arrested on various drug and firearm related charges Friday, March 2, 2007.  Sequoyah County Sheriff 's Investigators and Deputies, assisted by agents of the District 27 District Attorney's Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant on a residence located between Sallisaw and Muldrow.

During the search process, sheriff's investigators at the scene reported finding substances appearing to be methamphetamine, along with items of paraphernalia associated with the distribution and use of controlled dangerous substances. Sheriff's investigators at the scene also reported finding numerous firearms during the search of the residence.

Arrested as a result of the investigation were Bobby Junior Burge and Alice Marie Burge, both of Muldrow. Bob Burge, 62, was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $20,500 bond. Alice Burge, 60,  was also booked into the Sequoyah County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was also released on a $20,500 bond.   

March 3, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS SHERIFF'S TEAM!

Your sheriff's department took first place honors for both best chili and best side dish in the 3rd Annual Don Mentzer Chili Cook-off held in Sallisaw, OK. Our theme was Code 3 Chili. We had lights and siren and police gear decorating our booth. A good time was reported by all who attended.    

February 1, 2007

Federal search warrants served in multi-state drug crackdown

As a result of a multi-state investigation in the trafficking of crystal methamphetamine, known as ice, over the past year, four federal search warrants were executed in Sequoyah County Feb. 1.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot reported that this investigation was initiated by investigators with the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department, and, due to its complex nature and the number of suspects involved, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) was contacted for assistance in handling the investigation.

The four federal search warrants served within Sequoyah County were executed simultaneously, with two search warrants served in the Oklahoma City area and one search warrant executed in Arkansas. As a result of the search warrants, several suspects were arrested on state charges, and an undisclosed amount of crystal methamphetamine was seized, along with an undisclosed amount of cash and firearms.

During the execution of a search warrant at a Moffett home, officers at the scene reported finding chemicals and equipment commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

"In addition, during the operation, Moffett Police Officers were contacted and they assisted Sequoyah County Sheriff's investigators in conducting a consent to search on a residence located in Moffett," according to Philpot's press release. "This consent to search resulted in the arrest of two additional persons on drug and firearm-related charges," Philpot said.

Philpot reported that, due to the fact that the investigation is still ongoing and because it so complex and widespread, information is limited at this time.

Philpot credits the ATF agents for their "impressive job" in handling the complexities of this particular case. Philpot reported that, upon its completion, this investigation will have a major impact on the illegal distribution of crystal methamphetamine within Sequoyah County and the surrounding area in both Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Philpot reported that this type of investigation would have not been possible had it not been for the interagency cooperation among numerous law enforcement agencies both in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Participating in the investigation and the execution of the search warrants in Sequoyah County were officers with the sheriff's department, the ATF, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and District 27 District Attorney's Drug Task Force.

January 30, 2007

A great big Thank You goes out to Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Sallisaw for the $1,000 donation they made to our department. We will be using this money to help equip the new police vehicles we have ordered for the agency. We are so thankful to our department supporters that make it possible to provide better services to our county. Thank you again... Super Wal-Mart! 

October 27, 2006

According to recent statistics compiled by the State of Oklahoma, the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office recovered more methamphetamine labs than any other agency in the State of Oklahoma for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. Your sheriff's department managed to do this with only a handful of deputies in comparison to the many officers employed by larger agencies.

 Our agency actively participates in Project Childsafe. For your free gunlock please stop by our office. We are open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. If you are an agency who does not participate in Project Childsafe, please visit their website at www.projectchildsafe.org to find out how.