Oklahoma
Oklahoma City FBI Warns of Sextortion Increase, Lawmakers Advance A Solution
Sextortion cases among young teens have increased by more than 50 percent in two years, according to the Oklahoma City Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Agents attribute a rise in cases to ever-expanding digital applications, which can reach children on a variety of devices at virtually any age.
“We’ve done our best to try to get the word out to educate the public, and most importantly educate the kids who are the victims in these cases of criminal violations,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward Gray.
Of the thousands of cases investigated each year, the FBI said there are more teenage boy victims than any other demographic. More than 20 youth suicides have been connected to financial sextortion.
In cases of sextortion, criminals contact children through online platforms and solicit explicit photos. Often, those criminals pose as someone who they are not. Criminals will then demand money or additional photos, typically with a threat to post the photo elsewhere or share it with people who are family or friends.
“The offenders and the perpetrators in these cases are very innovative and very patient,” Gray said. “They’ll use different platforms, they’ll use all forms of social media, they’ll use gaming apps, they’ll come after the kids on phones, on iPads, on desktop computers.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat authored SB 1479, which harshens penalties for sextortion predators.
“Kids don’t know where to turn when they fall victim to sextortion,” Treat said.
Senate Bill 1479 passed the Senate unanimously in March and was passed out of a House committee on Thursday.
“Too often these go unpunished because, a lot of times, it’s people in New York or overseas that are perpetrating this,” Treat said. “They’re just trying to get money out of the deal.”
The FBI recommends parents have conversations with their children about the dangers of sextortion and the importance of not talking to strangers online. But, if parents learn their child became a victim, the FBI recommends not shaming or guilting them but instead supporting them through the trauma of being manipulated.
“The children are not the subject of the investigations, they are the victims,” Gray said. “We will not only help them with pursuing the investigation with rigor but also provide resources to them and their family with victim specialists.”
Anyone can report financial sextortion by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting tips.fbi.gov.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.
K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.
Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.
During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.
“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.
Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.
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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.
It’s Boomer Sooner time in Omaha.
Oklahoma has won the 2026 Men’s College World Series, steamrolling through North Carolina in the winner-take-all Game 3, 13-2, capturing its first national title in over 30 years and third overall. The Sooners are the seventh straight SEC team to win the national championship.
A dogpile with cheers that made its way through the infiled, it closed out the Sooners’ one-for-the-ages NCAA tournament run.
for the third time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners are national champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xEvjGxhqgM
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 23, 2026
It was an all-around masterclass for OU, jumping out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the third and never looking back. They put at least one run across the plate in four of the final six innings, including three in the fourth and four in the eighth.
The fourth was where Oklahoma’s upper hand became clear. Walker McDuffie’s three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases, and UNC turned to star freshman Caden Glauber. The Tar Heels were previously 29-0 with whenever he pitched, but he was pulled after a walk and Jaxon Willits’ two-RBI single.
LJ Mercurius was outstanding on the mound, entering for starter Nick Wesloski in the third and tossing 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. It was his longest outing since April 17.
Outside of Mercurius, shortstop Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch starred for the Sooners. The former went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and was named Most Outstanding Player, while Branch also went 3-for-4 with a homer and six RBIs, a career-high. He’s the third player all-time to record six or more RBIs in a national championship game.
The victory caps off OU’s gauntlet-like journey to the top. After finishing 11th in SEC regular season play, they knocked off five national seeds — three in the top five and two on the road — leaning on a trio of freshman arms and a historic power surge at the plate.
Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team:
- Catcher: Deiten LaChance, Oklahoma
- First base: Erik Paulsen, North Carolina
- Second base: Gavin Gallaher, North Carolina
- Third base: Tyrus Hall, West Virginia
- Shortstop: Jaxon Willits, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Jason Walk, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Owen Hull, North Carolina
- Outfield: Dasan Harris, Oklahoma
- Designated Hitter: Adrian Rodriguez, Texas
- Pitcher: Joey Volchko, Georgia
- Pitcher: Caden Glauber, North Carolina
THE 2026 #MCWS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wlaQxxYFL3
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 23, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma National Guard announced the loss of a specialist who passed away last week.
On Monday, the Oklahoma National Guard announced the passing of Spc. Blake C. Akin, who passed away on June 17.
“We are saddened by the loss of Spc. Blake Akin,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.”
Akin, 24, enlisted as an infantryman in November of 2021. He was a member of Charlie Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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A memorial service for Akin will be held at 2 p.m. at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home Chapel, located at 14624 N. May Ave. in Oklahoma City.
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