The Tulsa World by Omer Gillham - January 5, 2012
A former Tulsa police officer who admitted stealing money during an FBI sting has reported to prison and begun serving time in a federal facility in Louisiana, records show. John K. “J.J.” Gray, 45, was charged in June 2010 with stealing more than $1,000 during an FBI sting in May 2009 at a local motel. Gray, a former burglary detective, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tulsa and cooperated with special prosecutors investigating police corruption within the Tulsa Police Department. Gray was sentenced to four months in prison Dec. 6 by U.S. District Judge Bruce Black of New Mexico. Gray retired from the police department shortly before he was charged. He is one of three former Tulsa police officers to be sentenced Dec. 6. The officers are Jeff Henderson, retired Cpl. Harold R. Wells and Gray. Henderson served in the Tulsa Police Department’s Special Investigations Division. Additionally former Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Brandon McFadden was sentenced Dec. 6 for his part in the scheme. McFadden and Henderson weren’t involved in the FBI sting. In Gray’s case, three other Tulsa police officers were charged with stealing money during the sting. Two of the officers — Nick DeBruin and Bruce Bonham — were acquitted in June of all charges against them. Wells was convicted of drug conspiracy, stealing money during the sting and other crimes and sentenced to 10 years in prisons. Wells and Henderson were previously transferred to federal prison to begin their sentences. Henderson received a 42-month prison sentence for perjury and civil rights violations. Gray was ordered to report to prison within 90 days. Federal prison records show that he is being held in federal prison in Pollock, La. McFadden received 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to drug conspiracy. Black ordered McFadden to report to federal prison by Jan. 18. McFadden has requested Seagoville, a federal facility 11 miles southeast of Dallas. Federal prison officials interviewed by the Tulsa World said police officers or other similarly identified inmates are monitored for safety and are not placed in harm’s way with inmates who might be hostile to an officer. Although officers generally are kept in the open population for access to prison programs, they can request protective custody if they feel threatened, the World has reported. In total, 11 police officers were named in a two-year corruption probe that involved allegations of falsified search warrants, nonexistent informants, perjury and stolen drugs and money, a World investigation showed. Omer Gillham 918-581-8301 - omer.gillham@tulsaworld.com
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