Sheriff Michael Burgess
Former Oklahoma Sheriff Michael Burgess was charged with 35 felonies in April of 2008. Burgess faces charges that include second-degree rape, forcible oral sodomy and bribery.1
On August 12, 2008, the preliminary hearing for the 35 charges against Burgess began. Jennifer Tyler, a sheriff deputy who once worked in his office, testified that Burgess groped her during a uniform fitting. A female prison inmate also testified that she was forced to perform sexual acts on Burgess in exchange for better treatment.2
Fast Facts
- Resigned on April 16, 2008, just before federal prosecutors filed charges against him1
- Charges include: forcible oral sodomy, kidnapping, rape and perjury
- Before resigning, Burgess had been a sheriff since 1994
- Facing 467 years in prison if convicted on all counts1
Investigation and Prosecution
Burgess is accused of using his position as sheriff to get sexual favors from female employees, inmates and members of his county's drug court program.1
The decision to prosecute came after a year-long investigation by the Texas County district attorney. In 2007, a woman alleged that Burgess threatened her with prison if she didn't have sex with him. The crimes allegedly occurred between October 2005 and April 2007.1
Sheriff Burgess Career Profile
According to Burgess's profile entry on the Custer County Sheriff website, which has been removed, Burgess began his law enforcement career in 1972 when he worked as a patrolman with the Edmond Police Department. He worked as an oil worker between 1979 and 1984.
He returned to law enforcement in 1985. He became the sheriff of Custer County in 1994, replacing a colleague who died. He ran for election and won in 1995 and was re-elected in 2000 and 2004.
His profile page states: "Sheriff Burgess always has time to talk with his constituents and would like to invite them to 'come set a spell' and drink a cup of coffee with him."
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