Oklahoma
Sex offender searches in Oklahoma prove more complicated than one would think
![Sex offender searches in Oklahoma prove more complicated than one would think](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e13b708/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x672%200%2024/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https://x-default-stgec.uplynk.com/ausw/slices/017/7fed36643eb2467f9bc52626aec24432/01795161a6fa4907950cfe73eed70c2e/poster_d1054f02250a4b93907b068141682de3.jpg)
TULSA, Okla. — The case involving registered sex offender Jesse McFadden has rocked the Henryetta community.
Investigators have already taken in mounds of electronic evidence from inside the home that has victims’ families concerned about possible sex ring ties.
The case has prompted a lot of you to dig into your own communities and the sex offender registry.
One woman alerted 2 News that a simple web search isn’t as easy as it sounds and there could be some serious flaws.
“This started by the McFadden case and wondering who’s in my area,” said Tulsa mom Michelle Bales.
When Michelle went searching for a sex offender registry, she thought it would be a simple Google search.
“There’s a bunch of different sites, nothing concrete,” she said.
There are multiple sites to find a sex offender database in your area — the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and local law enforcement sites. Tulsa police and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office each have their own list. Then there is the national sex offender site run by the Department of Justice, citydata.com and familywatchdog.us.
And guess what? None of them are consistent.
“For me, I have the time, and I sit down and started doing research; a lot of people don’t have that,” Michelle said.
2 News checked for ourselves and verified her claims. Multiple names that show up on the Tulsa County website don’t show up on the DOC website. Family Watch Dog’s website pulls up dozen of sex offenders registered at one Tulsa hotel. The DOJ’s website pulls up one offender for the same address.
Bales was concerned sex offenders could use hotels for an address.
She also noticed several businesses.
Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputy David Williams says that could be because they don’t have a permanent address. Tulsa police were unavailable for comment.
Williams says his office conducts quarterly compliance checks but was surprised to learn the sites weren’t unified.
If that can’t be addressed , he suggests taking the time to research.
“It’s your neighborhood, it’s your kids, it’s your family, it’s your friends,” he said. “Be as thorough as you possibly can. That’s the best recommendation or advice I can give.”
Williams says the offenders are required to check in with law enforcement every three months or a year — depending on the severity of the crime.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma Attorney General responds to federal immigration lawsuit
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Edmond Man Faces Sentencing For Bringing Ammunition Into Turks And Caicos
![Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Edmond Man Faces Sentencing For Bringing Ammunition Into Turks And Caicos](https://fueltools-prod01-public.fuelmedia.io/59e240fa-1ef9-4713-94e5-5289dca38660/20240620/e3cc792e-8a44-4740-be58-83114eabee3f/thumbnail_20240620102646356.gif)
An Edmond man facing charges in Turks and Caicos after ammunition was found in his luggage will arrive for his sentencing on Friday.
Click here to watch News 9 Now.
Ryan Watson was arrested in April after authorities found ammunition left over from a hunting trip in his carry-on. Now, two months after being taken into custody, Watson will face his sentencing.
The punishment for bringing ammunition onto the island nation, according to Turks and Caicos law, is 12 years in prison.
Watson’s family spoke with News 9 about the trial, and applauded the efforts of the attorney defending Watson.
The family said when the prosecutor brought in the bullets to the courtroom to use in the case against Watson, it provided Watson’s attorney the opportunity to show no weapon on the island is capable of firing them.
Last week, Turks and Caicos Gov. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam filed an amendment to country’s firearms ordinance, stating “the court may impose a term of imprisonment of less than the mandatory minimum term or a fine or both.”
Watson is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Watson is not the only American tourist to face ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos, as four others have been arrested after bullets were found by airport security.
US Senators Markwayne Mullin and Rep. Josh Breechen, both of whom are lawmakers representing Oklahoma in Washington D.C., have visited the island in May to discuss the arrests.
While that delegation was unable to negotiate the release of the detained Americans, two have returned home after being given fines and shortened sentences.
Turks and Caicos Gov. Daniel-Selvaratnam defended the country’s laws, and said no American has received the full sentence.
This case led to changes at Will Rogers World Airport, from Which Watson and his family departed from on their trip toTurks and Caicos, and brought action from U.S. lawmakers.
U.S. Sen James Lankford sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration, asking how it managed to allow citizens to go to Turks and Caicos with ammo in their bags.
The TSA said officers will receive additional training on how to catch those items, with failure to do leaving the possibility of them being placed on administrative leave, or being terminated from their position.
Oklahoma
OU Basketball: Former Oklahoma Guard and 4-star Recruit Kaden Cooper Finds New Home
![OU Basketball: Former Oklahoma Guard and 4-star Recruit Kaden Cooper Finds New Home](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4620,h_2598,x_0,y_95/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_sooners/01j1363vdwnwzhcvezrc.jpg)
On Sunday afternoon, former Oklahoma guard Kaden Cooper announced his commitment to Louisiana Tech.
Cooper was a member of the Sooners’ 2023 recruiting class, spending one year in Norman before announcing his entry into the transfer portal. As a true freshman, the Ada, OK, product played in just 15 games, logging 4.5 minutes per contest.
In his limited time on the floor, Cooper averaged 1.5 points and 0.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46.7% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. The former 4-star prospect made seven of his 15 field goal attempts and three of his six attempts from beyond the arc.
Cooper tallied 22 points and 13 rebounds in his 67 minutes of action as a true freshman. Many OU basketball observers often wondered why Cooper didn’t recieve more playing time, especially later in the season when Porter Moser and company were dealing with multiple injuries in the backcourt and on the wing.
Coming out of The Skill Factory, a development program in Atlanta, GA, Cooper was a 4-star recruit, rated the No. 58 overall prospect and No. 11 small forward in the 2023 recruiting class. Despite being a coveted recruit, the athletic wing still was unable to crack the Sooners’ rotation in 2023-24.
Now heading to Louisiana Tech, Cooper should be able to find a role as a solid contributor. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, the former OU wing has good size and should give the Bulldogs a chance to make the NCAA Tournament in 2025 after a 22-10 season in 2023-24.
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