TPD officers, ATF agent sentenced Tuesday on corruption convictions

Henderson, Gray, Wells, McFadden sentenced

Jeff Henderson, John K. "J.J." Gray, Harold Wells and Brandon McFadden were sentenced Tuesday for their convictions that resulted from a corruption probe into the Tulsa Police Department.
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Ofc. Jeff Henderson_20110831105915_JPG

Jeff Henderson
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

John K. Gray (JJ Gray)

John K. Gray
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Harold Wells_20110824073923_JPG

Harold Wells
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Brandon McFadden

Brandon McFadden
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Posted: 12/06/2011

TULSA - The final chapter in the police corruption trials in Tulsa is over. Four law enforcement officers have been sentenced-- and face anywhere from four months to 10 years behind bars. At least one defendant plans to appeal.

Former officer John K. Gray's attorney called this a "dark episode" for Tulsa.

"I'm sorry any police officers, Mr. Gray and others, involved themselves in this kind of behavior," said Robert Durbin.

Durbin says Gray pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors for more reasons than meet the eye.

"The reason he did it was not to avoid consequences. He knew there would be consequences. Just that he wanted to get his life back on track. And of he was tired of surviving in the underbelly of the police department," Durbin said.

Former ATF agent Brandon McFadden's lawyer hoped for a lesser sentence for his client, but says he doesn't think the sentence of 21 months in prison is unfair. He says his McFadden's friends and family wrote more than 150 letter of support and character testimony to the judge.

"He wanted to look his sons in the eye, and his sons not be ashamed of him anymore," said Neal Kirkpatrick. "And he took what I consider to be the hard path. He could've pleaded not guilty and gotten off. But he didn't want to do that."

Here's a timeline of Tuesday's sentencing, with more details below.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.:  Former ATF Agent Brandon McFadden was given a 21-month sentence to be served in prison, where, if available, he will undergo substance abuse treatment.  McFadden pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy after a corruption probe into the Tulsa Police Department.  Upon release from prison, McFadden will spend five years under supervision.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.:  Judge Black sentenced retired TPD Cpl. Harold Wells to 120 months in prison, or 10 years.  Wells will then serve five years on supervised release.

UPDATE 11:10 a.m.:  2NEWS Reporter Sara Goldenberg says Judge Black sentenced former officer John K. "J.J." Gray to four months in prison.  Gray pleaded guilty to stealing money in a drug sting.  He cooperated with prosecutors during the corruption probe and subsequent trials.  Upon his release, Gray will spend four additional years on supervised release.

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TULSA -- At least one Tulsa police officer will spend time behind bars after a corruption probe.

Jeff Henderson was the first of four law enforcement officers to be sentenced Tuesday after being convicted on charges of corruption.

Henderson was convicted on eight of the 58 charges he faced, including perjury and civil rights violations.  He was sentenced to 42 months or three and a half years in prison.  Henderson will then serve another three years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Bruce Black oversaw the trial and passed the sentence.

In the courtroom Tuesday, Black said to Henderson, "You've had an exemplary career.  Unfortunately, the constitution does not allow cutting corners."

Henderson's attorneys are requesting his prison time be served in protective custody in Yankton, S.D.

The courtroom was crowded with family, friends and other supporters, many of whom burst into tears as the sentence was read.

Three others will hear their sentences Tuesday, including retired police Cpl. Harold Wells, former Officer John K. "J.J." Gray and former ATF Agent Brandon McFadden.

Wells was convicted on 10 counts of civil rights violations, Gray pleaded guilty to stealing money in a drug sting and McFadden pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy.

McFadden and Gray cooperated with prosecutors and could receive lesser sentences.

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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