Former cop accused in gun, 'valor' crimes

By BOB GIBBINS
Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS November 13, 2008 12:37 pm

— MUSKOGEE – A former Muskogee police officer facing theft and stolen property charges in Cherokee, Muskogee and Wagoner counties was charged Wednesday in federal court with possession of a stolen firearm and a misdemeanor count of “stolen valor.”
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said Kris Ledford, 30, was charged after an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Muskogee police and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Ledford was a Muskogee police officer at the time of the theft.
The single firearms count alleges he possessed, concealed, stored, bartered, sold and disposed of nine stolen firearms between June 4, 2007, and May 29, 2008.
The second count alleges that on July 23, he falsely represented himself verbally and in writing to have been awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, Sperling said.
Ledford’s arraignment will be set by the court. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on the first count and up to a year in prison and $100,000 in fines on the stolen valor charge.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Horn represents the government.
A document in the Cherokee County case states it has been reset for January because there is a possibility the case will move to federal court. Most recent court dates in Muskogee have been reset to Dec. 2, and the Wagoner case has been reset to Dec. 16.
Donn Baker represents Ledford in all of the cases.