Fairview, Oklahoma
Jury deliberations began this afternoon in the trial of former Custer County Sheriff Mike Burgess, who is accused of using his power over inmates and drug court defendants to force them to have sex with him.
Deliberations began about 4:30 p.m. In closing arguments, a prosecutor said Burgess' position as a member of a team controlling a drug court put him in position to sexually coerce defendants.
A defense attorney says the accusers are either lying for financial gain in civil litigation, or the sex was consensual.
Burgess has pleaded not guilty to 36 charges of rape, rape by instrumentation, kidnapping, sexual battery and oral sodomy
Showing posts with label oral sodomy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oral sodomy. Show all posts
Friday, January 16, 2009
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Veteran Sex-Crimes Prosecutor Arrested for Rape
A veteran Contra Costa County sex-crimes prosecutor was arrested Thursday on suspicion of rape, Martinez police said.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Gressett, 51, of Martinez is suspected of raping another deputy district attorney, according to two sources close to the investigation. A statement issued by Martinez police did not refer to the alleged victim.
Gressett was booked on suspicion of committing rape, oral copulation, sodomy and penetration with a foreign object, all felonies, Cmdr. Eric Ghisletta said in the police statement. The alleged attack occurred "several months ago," police said, but they did not give a date.
Gressett's attorney, Michael Cardoza, said his client is innocent and will "fight these allegations very vigorously."
"Everybody that knows him is exceedingly shocked by these allegations," Cardoza said. "The problem with allegations like this is that when he walks away innocent, there will always be people who will wonder. The allegations alone have a devastating effect."
Gressett was being held Thursday night in the county jail in Martinez in lieu of $1 million bail, a sheriff's deputy said.
Ghisletta said investigators were first told of the alleged attack Sept. 26. Officers later served a search warrant and "discovered evidence which was consistent with the victim's statements," Ghisletta said.
Police did not say where the warrant had been served.
"It's a sad day for our office for anything like this to occur," District Attorney Robert Kochly said late Thursday. "Anything of this nature is devastating to the office. It's antithetical to what we're about."
Kochly said Martinez police planned to turn over their evidence to the office of state Attorney General Jerry Brown to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Brown's office will decide on possible charges.
Gressett was arrested near the district attorney's office in Martinez. He was then placed on paid administrative leave, Kochly said.
Gressett has worked as a prosecutor for more than 20 years, and worked in the sex-crimes unit for the past 2 1/2 years, Kochly said. He ran unsuccessfully three times for Contra Costa district attorney, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
During his most recent campaign, Gressett pledged to initiate a "real" no plea-bargaining policy, mandating maximum prosecution of violent felonies, including rape.
During his 1998 campaign, Gressett proposed a program that would list the disposition of every criminal case on the Internet.
"It's my belief that sunshine is the best disinfectant," Gressett said then. "This would hold the district attorney accountable. The one institution we need pure is the district attorney's office."
Gressett grew up in New Mexico and earned his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1986.
This article appeared on page B - 12 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Deputy District Attorney Michael Gressett, 51, of Martinez is suspected of raping another deputy district attorney, according to two sources close to the investigation. A statement issued by Martinez police did not refer to the alleged victim.
Gressett was booked on suspicion of committing rape, oral copulation, sodomy and penetration with a foreign object, all felonies, Cmdr. Eric Ghisletta said in the police statement. The alleged attack occurred "several months ago," police said, but they did not give a date.
Gressett's attorney, Michael Cardoza, said his client is innocent and will "fight these allegations very vigorously."
"Everybody that knows him is exceedingly shocked by these allegations," Cardoza said. "The problem with allegations like this is that when he walks away innocent, there will always be people who will wonder. The allegations alone have a devastating effect."
Gressett was being held Thursday night in the county jail in Martinez in lieu of $1 million bail, a sheriff's deputy said.
Ghisletta said investigators were first told of the alleged attack Sept. 26. Officers later served a search warrant and "discovered evidence which was consistent with the victim's statements," Ghisletta said.
Police did not say where the warrant had been served.
"It's a sad day for our office for anything like this to occur," District Attorney Robert Kochly said late Thursday. "Anything of this nature is devastating to the office. It's antithetical to what we're about."
Kochly said Martinez police planned to turn over their evidence to the office of state Attorney General Jerry Brown to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Brown's office will decide on possible charges.
Gressett was arrested near the district attorney's office in Martinez. He was then placed on paid administrative leave, Kochly said.
Gressett has worked as a prosecutor for more than 20 years, and worked in the sex-crimes unit for the past 2 1/2 years, Kochly said. He ran unsuccessfully three times for Contra Costa district attorney, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
During his most recent campaign, Gressett pledged to initiate a "real" no plea-bargaining policy, mandating maximum prosecution of violent felonies, including rape.
During his 1998 campaign, Gressett proposed a program that would list the disposition of every criminal case on the Internet.
"It's my belief that sunshine is the best disinfectant," Gressett said then. "This would hold the district attorney accountable. The one institution we need pure is the district attorney's office."
Gressett grew up in New Mexico and earned his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1986.
This article appeared on page B - 12 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Deputy D.A. Arrested for Suspicion of Rape
A veteran Contra Costa County sex-crimes prosecutor was arrested Thursday on suspicion of rape, Martinez police said.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Gressett, 51, of Martinez is suspected of raping another deputy district attorney, according to two sources close to the investigation. A statement issued by Martinez police did not refer to the alleged victim.
Gressett was booked on suspicion of committing rape, oral copulation, sodomy and penetration with a foreign object, all felonies, Cmdr. Eric Ghisletta said in the police statement. The alleged attack occurred "several months ago," police said, but they did not give a date.
Gressett's attorney, Michael Cardoza, said his client is innocent and will "fight these allegations very vigorously."
"Everybody that knows him is exceedingly shocked by these allegations," Cardoza said. "The problem with allegations like this is that when he walks away innocent, there will always be people who will wonder. The allegations alone have a devastating effect."
Gressett was being held Thursday night in the county jail in Martinez in lieu of $1 million bail, a sheriff's deputy said.
Ghisletta said investigators were first told of the alleged attack Sept. 26. Officers later served a search warrant and "discovered evidence which was consistent with the victim's statements," Ghisletta said.
Police did not say where the warrant had been served.
"It's a sad day for our office for anything like this to occur," District Attorney Robert Kochly said late Thursday. "Anything of this nature is devastating to the office. It's antithetical to what we're about."
Kochly said Martinez police planned to turn over their evidence to the office of state Attorney General Jerry Brown to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Brown's office will decide on possible charges.
Gressett was arrested near the district attorney's office in Martinez. He was then placed on paid administrative leave, Kochly said.
Gressett has worked as a prosecutor for more than 20 years, and worked in the sex-crimes unit for the past 2 1/2 years, Kochly said. He ran unsuccessfully three times for Contra Costa district attorney, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
During his most recent campaign, Gressett pledged to initiate a "real" no plea-bargaining policy, mandating maximum prosecution of violent felonies, including rape.
During his 1998 campaign, Gressett proposed a program that would list the disposition of every criminal case on the Internet.
"It's my belief that sunshine is the best disinfectant," Gressett said then. "This would hold the district attorney accountable. The one institution we need pure is the district attorney's office."
Gressett grew up in New Mexico and earned his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1986.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Gressett, 51, of Martinez is suspected of raping another deputy district attorney, according to two sources close to the investigation. A statement issued by Martinez police did not refer to the alleged victim.
Gressett was booked on suspicion of committing rape, oral copulation, sodomy and penetration with a foreign object, all felonies, Cmdr. Eric Ghisletta said in the police statement. The alleged attack occurred "several months ago," police said, but they did not give a date.
Gressett's attorney, Michael Cardoza, said his client is innocent and will "fight these allegations very vigorously."
"Everybody that knows him is exceedingly shocked by these allegations," Cardoza said. "The problem with allegations like this is that when he walks away innocent, there will always be people who will wonder. The allegations alone have a devastating effect."
Gressett was being held Thursday night in the county jail in Martinez in lieu of $1 million bail, a sheriff's deputy said.
Ghisletta said investigators were first told of the alleged attack Sept. 26. Officers later served a search warrant and "discovered evidence which was consistent with the victim's statements," Ghisletta said.
Police did not say where the warrant had been served.
"It's a sad day for our office for anything like this to occur," District Attorney Robert Kochly said late Thursday. "Anything of this nature is devastating to the office. It's antithetical to what we're about."
Kochly said Martinez police planned to turn over their evidence to the office of state Attorney General Jerry Brown to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Brown's office will decide on possible charges.
Gressett was arrested near the district attorney's office in Martinez. He was then placed on paid administrative leave, Kochly said.
Gressett has worked as a prosecutor for more than 20 years, and worked in the sex-crimes unit for the past 2 1/2 years, Kochly said. He ran unsuccessfully three times for Contra Costa district attorney, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
During his most recent campaign, Gressett pledged to initiate a "real" no plea-bargaining policy, mandating maximum prosecution of violent felonies, including rape.
During his 1998 campaign, Gressett proposed a program that would list the disposition of every criminal case on the Internet.
"It's my belief that sunshine is the best disinfectant," Gressett said then. "This would hold the district attorney accountable. The one institution we need pure is the district attorney's office."
Gressett grew up in New Mexico and earned his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in 1986.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
UPDATE: Former Sheriff Mike Burgess Pleads Not Guilty
Former Custer County Sheriff Mike Burgess has pleaded not guilty to 36 charges of forcing female inmates to provide sexual favors.
Burgess entered the plea during arraignment Tuesday in Major County District Court where the hearing was held to accommodate the judge.
Burgess faces charges of rape, rape by instrumentation, kidnapping, sexual battery and oral sodomy of female drug court participants.
Several women testified during a preliminary hearing they were afraid they'd be sent to prison if they didn't give in to Burgess' sex demands.
Trial is set for Dec. 1 in Custer County but defense attorney Steve Huddleston says he'll decide within two weeks whether to ask for a change of venue.
Burgess entered the plea during arraignment Tuesday in Major County District Court where the hearing was held to accommodate the judge.
Burgess faces charges of rape, rape by instrumentation, kidnapping, sexual battery and oral sodomy of female drug court participants.
Several women testified during a preliminary hearing they were afraid they'd be sent to prison if they didn't give in to Burgess' sex demands.
Trial is set for Dec. 1 in Custer County but defense attorney Steve Huddleston says he'll decide within two weeks whether to ask for a change of venue.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Oklahoma Sheriff Michael Burgess Ran Sex Slave operation From Jail
An Apapaho, Oklahoma Sherriff resigned after an investigation revealed he was running a sex-slave operation from the jail he where he was suppose to be helping individuals straighten out their lives.
Sherriff Burgess resigned after posting a bond Wednesday night. He has been charged with 35 felony counts, including accusations of forcible oral sodomy, kidnapping, rape, perjury, bribery of a public official, indecent exposure, 14 counts of rape in the second degree and rape by instrumentation. Investigators said at one time, Sherriff Burgess oversaw wet T-shirt contests at the Custer County Jail.
(Why does this shit surprise people. It happens all the time, but people are ignorant believing that it doesn’t go on. It does happen people, and it needs to be stopped!)
The Texas County district attorney started looking into Burgess in May 2007 when a participant in the Washita-Custer County drug court program told investigators that Burgess made her have sex with him on a threat of sending her to prison. Because of a conflict of interest, Custer County prosecutors handed the case to Texas County authorities.
According to an affidavit signed by District Attorney James Boring, Burgess compelled a Weatherford woman to travel to Oklahoma City and meet him at the Biltmore Hotel for sex in April 2006. The same woman had sex with Burgess under duress at a Clinton truck stop parking lot and at her home.
Once the investigation of Burgess got going, the former sheriff is accused of having another woman go to the alleged victim's home in Weatherford to remove incriminating evidence against him in exchange for securing her brother's release from prison.
Other accusations outlined in the affidavit include testimony from a former sheriff's deputy, who said Burgess groped her between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2005. Burgess also allegedly forced a drug-court probation violator to perform oral sex on him in his county vehicle.
Perjury charges stem from an incident in which Burgess allegedly helped a Custer County woman falsify and secure a protective order against another man. The affidavit states that Burgess directed and coached the woman "as to facts she was to present and which she in fact testified to under oath" with regard to the protective order.
Burgess had been sheriff in Custer County since 1994, and these accusations have the entire region talking. Residents said that if the accusations turn out to be true, it sends a bad message.
"That you can't really trust anybody no matter if they're in power because people in power abuse their power," said Kim Whiteshirt.
If convicted on all counts, Burgess could face a sentence of up to 467 years in prison.
(And I hope the bitch gets raped everyday!!)
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