Consequence-Free Zone: No Transparency or Accountability in Sight for Carter County!
OSBI Public Record Laws Shield Law Enforcement Misconduct
Year Long “Investigation” Yields Nothing
OSBI disappoints the public [yet again] with their inability to give details surrounding what is potentially the largest, and most far reaching, civil rights violation to occur in Carter County. After more than a year of OSBI “investigating”, the public still has no answers as to whether 20+ years worth of attorney/client confidentiality was [or was not] breeched after the discovery of a recording device in the room designated for defendants to meet with their attorneys at the Carter County Jail.
Media Leaves Questions Unanswered
On a cold overcast Friday, KTEN Editor [and Ardmore native] Lisanne Anderson, published a short article, delicately worded to offer little information about the Carter County jail device as possible, while attempting to discredit whistleblower defense attorney, Jason May.
This is evident by the journalistic efforts Ms. Anderson declined to employ, such as “ask[ing] the tough questions and get the answers Texoma wants.” as she claims to do on her KTEN page. The “answers Texoma wants” are quite simple, and the public wants [and deserves] to know:
If the device was indeed lawful, then why has the warrant/court order for the device’s placement STILL not been made available to the public?
A warrant/order must be signed by a judge and filed with the court to be lawful.
Was the device operable when discovered in 2022? If not, what tests were preformed to make such determinations?
How does District Attorney, Melissa Handke, plan to comply with her constitutional obligations under the brady doctrine to notify ALL defendants of the potential impeachment evidence now known to be in OSBI’s custody?
This is required regardless of Erik Johnson’s review of the OSBI investigation. There is no discretion.
How does OSBI’s investigation account for how the device failed to be discovered throughout 20+ years of light bulb changes and maintenance?
Although District Attorney Erik Johnson [Pontotoc County] reportedly told Ms. Anderson “the device was installed in 2002 for a separate investigation.” there is nothing in the article to show any further journalistic inquiry about the device or investigation. The seasoned journalist, instead, published DA Johnson’s statement equivocating to “nothing to see here” and concludes the article with one sentence about the retaliatory prosecution of Jason May, providing no context as to how the two cases relate. The public needs journalists who are willing to push for answers, especially when it comes to our elected “advocates”.
“No Criminal Conduct Found”
It has taken just over a year for OSBI and a “special prosecutor” to “investigate” and deliver nothing to the public, except more questions.
"No criminal conduct had occurred in this matter. I have declined to proceed any further, and consider this matter closed." - DA Erik Johnson
Why, if this matter was so cut & dry, did it take over a year to close? Why would the public statement by Johnson omit any details of the “separate investigation”? Again… Where is the 2002 warrant? If one exists.
What the Public May or May Not Know…
Confidential sources have reported that the recording device was initially discovered in late spring/early summer of 2022 by a Sheriff’s Office employee who was afraid to go public out of fear of retaliation. Shortly afterwards, Gus Handke, Undersheriff [and husband to current DA, Melissa Handke] left his position as Undersheriff to become Chief of Police for Healdton, OK, taking a substantial pay cut. News broke of the device only after Defense Attorney, Jason May, interviewed with local mainstream media in November of 2022. As a nearly final act in office, Craig Ladd, with Melissa Handke, utilized secret grand jury proceedings in an effort to secure an indictment against May. Many believe this was done in retaliation.
Melissa Handke’s husband, Gus Handke, had the means, motive, and opportunity to utilize the recording device to his wife’s benefit. He was the Under Sheriff, with access [means] to the location [and opportunity]. His wife’s position as assistant district attorney would stand to benefit from inside information obtained from attorney/client conversations [motive]. The District Attorney’s office stood to gain the most from the device being [left or planted] in the room.
Back in 2004, Gus Handke, worked with, Neal Locke [who he trained under] while in Minco, OK. In 2022 Neal Locke, was arrested on charges stemming from allegedly placing a hidden recording device in a county building to secretly record employees.
Ironic coincidence? You decide.
For more details read: “Chauvinism in Blue: Handke's Behavior Highlights Moral Turpitude Concerns”
OSBI, a Shield for Corruption?
The number one tool to fight corruption is public transparency. OSBI has no such accountability mechanism. Although the OSBI is meant to be Oklahoma’s leading and highest police authority, the organization is set up in such a manner that makes misuse and corruption ripe to occur. Some of the laws and rules governing the agency make it appear more like a secret police force, than a proper investigative agency. The idea that OSBI is the closest version to internal affairs that Oklahoma currently has is disturbing to say the least.
The Public Cannot Request Investigations
In nearly every other state, if a common Joe [you] obtains evidence of criminal conduct or corruption by law enforcement, you can pick up your phone and contact your state police. Not in Oklahoma! Joe would need to go to his local law enforcement [likely responsible for the corruption] and make a report. The list circled in the screenshot above is literally a list of gatekeepers who decide what the OSBI will or will not investigate. They are also individuals with large amounts of political power who are able to influence the outcomes of these investigations, as often the “reports” are turned over to them or their co-workers when it comes time for accountability decisions.
OSBI Exempt from Transparency
The public is left to rely on District Attorneys, like Erik Johnson, to let us know what is actually going on with these so-called investigations, because OSBI is not subject to the same laws as other law enforcement entities. The agency becomes a perfect shield to corrupt police and District Attorneys, as Oklahoma law exempts all OSBI records from public records requests, and essentially threatens government employees with misdemeanor charges if records are leaked.
This structure creates a gestapo like force where tax payers have no oversight and law enforcement has no accountability. The same individuals whom are to be investigated hold control over the agency doing the investigation. It’s as if we’re asking Al Capone to go and investigate “Lucky” Luciano, and expecting to get real justice out of the deal. It simply won’t happen.
Hypocrisy is Just the Surface
How are we supposed to believe Erik Johnson? He simply tells the public there is nothing to see, when he is aware that corruption is widespread within District 20. After all, he is the same District Attorney who was made aware of Johnston County’s Sheriff refusing to protect a domestic violence victim. Listen to the voicemail below, where his employee explains that Sheriff Dodd’s office lied to the Pontotoc District Attorney’s office. It should also be noted that the dispatcher mentioned in the voicemail [Amanda Smith] is the Undersheriff’s wife, AND sister to the subject of the arrest warrant to be apprehended.
Read Also: “Justified in The Way you Make Me Bruise - An Oklahoma Sheriff Refuses to Protect the Victims”
Meanwhile, Melissa Handke is publicly calling for maximum enforcement of our state’s domestic violence laws while sitting idly by and ignoring the neglect of duty by a Sheriff in her own district.
She’s even gone as far to post billboards endorsing herself as an ally to domestic violence victims… That is, unless, you’re abuser is the brother-in-law to the Johnston County Undersheriff. Guess that is to be expected, when the Sheriff himself, boasts about keeping a notebook of “People to Kill”. Seems she’s unable to get law enforcement in her own district to support her agenda, nor does she do anything to address the corruption.
It is clear the people of Carter, Love, Johnston, Marshall, and Murray Counties will not receive the justice they deserve. The outside agencies that are to be entrusted to clean house simply sweep the details out of sight.