Ex-cop accused of sex with arrestee

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS May 16, 2008 11:03 am

— A misdemeanor offense of neglecting his duty as a public official has been filed against a former Hulbert police officer.
Johnathan Baldree, 22, is wanted on the charge. A $5,000 bond was set by Special District Judge Holli Pursley on an arrest warrant.
Prosecutors allege Baldree was involved in an “inappropriate encounter” with a woman while on duty as a Hulbert officer on Dec. 31, 2007.
An affidavit states Hulbert Police Chief Jim Morgan on Jan. 1 requested Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigative assistance into allegations of official misconduct.
The affidavit states Morgan told investigators he received a complaint that Baldree had improper sexual contact with a 25-year-old woman. On Jan. 7, Baldree admitted he had been on duty with HPD Jan. 1 when he saw a vehicle parked at a convenience store and stopped to check it out. The woman was behind the wheel of the vehicle, and after talking with her, she and Baldree went to the HPD breakroom, where they had sexual intercourse.
Agents interviewed the woman, who told them she had attended a New Year’s Eve party. When she realized she was too drunk to drive home, she pulled into the convenience store parking lot, where Baldree made contact with her.
She told investigators she didn’t resist Baldree, but was too drunk to say yes or no to Baldree’s proposition. She also said she would never have allowed Baldree to have sex with her, if she had been sober.
During the course of the investigation, Morgan requested the scope be expanded to include two other women, ages 21 and 38, with whom Baldree allegedly had improper sexual contact while employed at HPD.
Baldree will be formally arraigned after his arrest.
Public official neglecting his duty is punishable by imprisonment for up to a year and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Assistant District Attorney David Pierce is prosecuting the case.