Mike Burgess

Former Oklahoma Sheriff Michael Burgess is facing 35 criminal charges of rape, forcible sodomy and perjury. He is accused of using his position in law enforcement to earn sexual favors from female employees, court staffers and prisoners.

Burgess resigned as sheriff shortly before the charges were filed in April of 2008.¹

Burgess' pre-trial hearing began on August 12, 2008. A female sheriff deputy, Jennifer Tyler, testified that Burgess had inappropriate conduct with women in the county's court program and claimed she was inappropriately touched by Burgess.²

Fast Facts

1. Married to Brenda Burgess
2. Resigned from his position as sheriff before he was formally charged, in April 2008
3. Charges: Second-degree rape, forcible oral sodomy, kidnapping and perjury
4. Allegedly oversaw wet T-shirt contests¹
5. If found guilty on all charges he could be sentenced to 467 years in prison²

Arrest and Investigation

Burgess was arrested in April of 2008. The arrest concluded a year-long investigation into Burgess' conduct, beginning in 2007 when an unnamed woman alleged Burgess had threatened her with jail time if she did not have sex with him. Former prisoners have since made further allegations, including stories about Burgess asking them to remove their clothes or forcing them to engage in wet T-shirt contests.¹

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