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Bank robbery to pornography: Federal Grand Jury announces criminal indictments

Monday, 13 July 2009
Thomas Scott Woodward, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, recently announced criminal indictments from the July 2009 Federal Grand Jury.

As Woodward’s office states, “The return of an indictment is a method of informing the defendant of alleged violations which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome the defendant’s presumption of innocence.”

The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury.

Warren Winkler. Possession and Attempted Possession of Child Pornography. The defendant, 41, of Wyandotte, Oklahoma, is accused of having approximately 212 images of child pornography on his home computer on September 19, 2007, which he had allegedly downloaded from the internet.

Ruby Robles. Alien in the United States After Deportation. The defendant, also known as Crystal Abarca, an undocumented alien from Mexico, was allegedly found in Tulsa in March 2009, after having been previously removed and deported from the U.S. in March 2006.

Jorge Arturo Orosco-Zapata. Alien in United States after Deportation. This individual, age 40, an undocumented alien from Mexico, was allegedly found in Tulsa on April 21, 2009, after having been previously removed and deported from the U.S. in September 2006.

Corry K. Thomas and Latonya E. Thomas. Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. The defendants, ages 33 and 28 respectively, are from St. Ecorse, Michigan, and while traveling through northeastern Oklahoma on June 22, 2009, were allegedly found by law enforcement officers to be in possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

Jerrel Montel King. Possess Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possess Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime. King, 22, of Tulsa, was allegedly found by Tulsa police officers on May 27, 2009, in possession of a substantial amount of marijuana and three firearms.

Ronnie Allen Nichols. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. Nichols, 46, of Claremore, was allegedly in possession of a .357 handgun on May 15, 2009. He has four previous felony convictions. Two of the convictions are from Rogers County District Court for stolen property (1987) and cultivation of marijuana (1991). The other two convictions were received in federal court in the Northern District of Oklahoma in 2007 for firearms offenses.

Mohammad Hamid Qureshi. Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, Felon in Possession of Firearm. The defendant, 64, of Broken Arrow, faces two counts of having firearms in his possession on March 7, and May 8, 2009. The firearms listed in the indictments are one handgun, ammunition and a .12 gauge shotgun. He has two previous felony convictions: a 1999 conviction in Wagoner County for possessing drugs near a school zone and another from Tulsa County in 1999 for possessing a stolen vehicle.

Brandon Charles Tyler Hendricks. Assault with Deadly Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. Hendricks, 19, an Indian male from Locust Grove, is charged with assaulting an Indian female and an Indian male with a .22 caliber rifle on May 30, 2009, in Locust Grove.

Martin David Gonzalez-Medina. Illegal Alien in Possession of Firearm. The defendant, age and address unavailable at the time of this release, is charged with possessing a .22 caliber rifle on May 30, 2009, while being an alien illegally in the U.S.

Sealed and Superseding Indictments
There were two indictments returned by the Grand Jury that remain sealed. There was one superseding indictment in the case of John Lawrence Stanley, 65, of Dallas, charging him with the armed robbery of the BOK branch at 320 S. Boston in Tulsa on March 2004. The original indictment was returned by the Grand Jury in March 2009.

Last Updated ( Monday, 13 July 2009 )

Owen Park sets sight on 100 years

Monday, 13 July 2009
Owen Park, and the entire City of Tulsa Parks Department, will be celebrating their 100 year anniversary on Sat., Aug. 8 from 8am to 6pm at Owen Park, 560 North Maybelle Ave. To make it even more special – Tulsa Parks needs your help!

The highlight of the celebration will be the construction of a new children’s playground.  The Kaboom Playground program utilizes volunteers to construct an entire facility in one day – all with volunteers.

Anyone over 18 years old can volunteer to work any part of August 8th to make this playground a reality.  Volunteers can contact the Owen Park Community Center, 596-1485, to sign up.  Civic groups are also encouraged to get involved. Old photos and memories of the Owen Park neighborhood are also needed.

A scrapbook is being constructed with the help of many Owen neighborhood residents – as well as Crosbie Heights and Brady Heights neighborhoods.

These long-established communities have already shared some vintage stories and photographs, but more are needed.  The staff at the Owen Community Center it taking any and all memory contributions.

The public is invited for the Owen Centennial Celebration!  The festivities will start Saturday, August 8th at 8am with the kickoff of the playground construction. On the outdoor stage throughout the day will be various performers and music.

Other tentative activities include a classic car show, tours of the park, a free climbing wall, and a fishing tournament.

At 5pm that same day, Mayor Kathy Taylor will be present for the unveiling of the finished Kaboom Playground.

For more information, contact the Owen Community Center at 596-1485.
Last Updated ( Monday, 13 July 2009 )

Mayor recognizes Tulsa Blue employees

Monday, 13 July 2009
Mayor Kathy Taylor announced today that five City of Tulsa employees have been recognized for providing exceptional service to their fellow colleagues and citizens through its Tulsa Blue employee recognition program.

“Every day I am impressed by the dedicated and extremely talented City of Tulsa employees who serve our citizens.  Donna Richey, Ken Neal, Shawn Flaherty, Kathryn Bell and Joey Phillips are all shining examples of public service.  Their dedication in going above and beyond the call of duty to help their coworkers and to make life better for the citizens of Tulsa is a true testament to what it means to be a public servant,” Mayor Taylor said.
In a special recognition ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Taylor presented Tulsa Blue awards to the following City of Tulsa employees:

Donna Richey, Finance/ Revenue Collections & Enforcement Administrator was selected for this program because of the excellent way she has handled calls from property owners in regards to the ballpark construction on top of numerous duties added to her position.

Her coworkers agree she has handled everything with great eloquence and grace, while displaying a positive attitude.

Stephanie Roudabush, a fellow employee said, “Donna is always smiling and making everyone’s day better with her positive attitude and encouragement. She stays late to make sure that her projects are finished on time and are of the highest quality.”

Ken Neal, Information Technology/Voice Services Section Head played a vital role in moving Utilities Services to the new City Hall at One Technology Center.  He is widely known for his professionalism in helping all of the sections he serves, spending many hours resolving issues.

Ken is a valued source of information regarding his adopted systems at One Technology Center and according to coworker, Edward Lydens, “Mr. Neal should be recognized for what he does and the value he brings to the City of Tulsa that can’t always be measured by stats.”

Shawn Flaherty, Information Technology/Computer Support LAN Associate Consultant is well-known for providing excellent customer service to City employees. The Legal Department offered high praise for Shawn’s dedication, especially during a past holiday weekend where he worked from the afternoon until nearly 11 p.m. to resolve a problem.

Deirdre Dexter, Legal Department director, said, “It’s not just legal ‘management’ that receives Shawn’s professional, friendly and high-quality service and attention. Every member of the legal department who has needed assistance has remarked on how great Shawn is.”

Kathryn Bell, Tulsa Police Department/ Forensic Nursing Administrator will mark 15 years at TPD this coming December.  She currently serves as the department’s S.A.N.E. (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) coordinator and has made vast improvements to the S.A.N.E. program and to facilities used at Hillcrest Hospital, as well as implementing a program for pediatric S.A.N.E. exams, extending the value of the S.A.N.E. program to children in the Tulsa area.

Kathy has also been instrumental in initiating and implementing a program to medically assist and examine children victimized in Methamphetamine Labs, as well as helping victims of Domestic Violence receive medical and evidentiary follow up at the Family Safety Center.

Kathy has proven multi-tasking skills and has amazed her coworkers and the citizens of Tulsa with her dedicated efforts at improving the lives of crime victims.

Sgt. Mark Mears said, “Kathy does an amazing job and while she toils away, she makes us all look good.  If you know her, you find that no matter what daunting task is given her, no matter what difficulty befalls her, she is always ready to help and she does so with a smile; a positive attitude and a drive that makes us proud to know her.”

Joey Phillips, 911 Public Safety/PSC Telecommunicator (Police and Fire Dispatcher) is the guiding force behind the 911 Public Service Communications booth at Hallowzooeen.

For the past four years, Joey has organized, choreographed, recorded music, built sets and props, designed costumes, and selected the theme, bringing 911 employees, Tulsa Zoo employees and Zoo Friends, and many others together – all for the sake of the Zoo’s annual fundraiser.

Joey’s tremendous investment of personal time (including the use of a week of his vacation time), imagination, his own money, and infectious zeal has raised the bar for Hallowzooeen entertainment at this well-attended and family oriented event.

“Without Joey Phillips’ indefatigable leadership and enthusiasm,” said coworker Kathleen Bradford, “this would be just another boring booth with people handing out candy. Instead, he has turned it into a place where kids stand open-mouthed with wonder at the dancing and lip-synching entertainers.”

Seven employees, nominated by their fellow colleagues, have been recognized to date with certificates of recognition, as well as thank-you plaques, and a Tulsa Blue polo shirt bearing the City of Tulsa logo, which signifies their induction into this elite group.

Eddy Tijerina in Human Resources and Tulsa Police Sergeant Skipper Bain were the first two recipients inducted into the Tulsa Blue program. Blue is the dominant color in the City of Tulsa logo and symbolizes the “New Kind of Energy” our employees are experiencing and the citizens we serve.

Last Updated ( Monday, 13 July 2009 )

A friend and a movie

Another Tulsa Today Exclusive

It’s summer. A great time for movies, swimming, concerts, and good ole’ American baseball. Although there’s a great many All-Star games one could attend, I’m catching a ball for the movie buffs, and with good reason, too.

Last year, I received an email from a friend of mine, a Chicago editor, who was cast in the new release Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, Channing Tatum, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard. I’ve always been a Depp fan. The fact that a friend of mine was working in a Michael Mann film with Depp made it all even better.

Public Enemies offers a bit of a romanticized illustration of John Dillinger, a famous bank robber from the 1930s. Depp is cast as Dillinger and Christian Bale stars as Melvin Purvis – the FBI agent that brought Dillinger down. While overall reviews have been a mixed bag so far, there’s some outright outstanding notations on Depp’s work.
Something that is not so well known are the casting details that went on before filming.
As my friend, Donald Asher, was telling me and as it was officially reported back then, the Joan Philo Casting Co., which managed the casting for Public Enemies, announced that they were looking for “real newspapermen and real news reporters” to serve as extras in the film’s press scenes. Although a long line up of newspaper reporters auditioned for the film, my friend and fellow newspaperman Asher was one of the lucky folks selected to be in it.

In the wave of mixed reviews, I’m wondering how many of the reporters, who auditioned for the role and did not get it, came back and gave reviews? Or, how many reporters knew the reporters that did? In stating these questions, I’m reminded of the Robert Deniro film, "Guilty By Suspicion."

It’s just something to consider before letting a review impact a decision on whether or not you check this film out at the theaters. If you do, it’s interesting to note that all of the newspaper people in the film, are actual reporters.  For that, I applaud the producer, despite any controversary it may have caused.

My friend Asher and I were talking via telephone and email this past week. “The movie opens today,” he wrote to me. “I’m going with a group of friends tonight, although we’ve already seen the movie at the Chicago premiere. Depp, Bale and all were there. The after party was great!”

At some point in the communication that we sent back and forth, I asked what it was like to be working alongside Depp. Asher sent me a piece that he wrote about it.

Being cast as Crown Point Reporter Number 1 in Public Enemies ranks near the top in exciting opportunities I’ve had in my 40-plus years as a newspaper journalist.

My first scene was shot in the old Lake County Jail. Dillinger (Johnny Depp) was brought into a press conference surrounded by police officers, FBI agents, the Lake County Sheriff (Lili Taylor), and the infamous Robert Estill (Alan Wilder), Lake County prosecutor.

This was the scene where Dillinger puts his arm on Estill’s shoulder, and Estill returns the favor. The actual scene was captured on film in 1934 and has become one of the most well-known photos of Dillinger.

It took two days to shoot that scene. Two digital film cameras moved about the room crowded with “reporters and photographers” asking Dillinger questions. As director Michael Mann moved people into place, my heart raced as I got ready to deliver the first question from the reporters: “Johnny, are you glad to see Indiana again?” (You’ll have to see the movie to hear his response.)

I was also lucky enough to have the last question, too. It was that line that got me in both trailers for the movie, released in March and April and then in May, in the commercial for the film.

In the first trailer, it’s just my voice. The second actually has me asking the final question of the press conference. In the commercial, I have the first word!

My second scene took place three months later in Chicago, where I interviewed one of the hostages Dillinger had taken in his Lake County jail break.”

I tell Asher that overall reviews released on Public Enemies have been fairly good, who offers a quick congrats on my work here at Tulsa Today and says that he has now moved to a bigger office at his Chicago newspaper.

We talk about a few other things.  In closing, I tell him that I’ve got watching his movie on my list of things to do.  And, that’s true. It’s a great day for catching a quick flick and Public Enemies is one that I plan to see.  So far, the movie has cleared more than 40 million in sales and popularity seems to be building for this 1930s gangster film masterpiece. Hats off to what I know is a great film, that offers an interesting twist for the media.

A little postscript. I did get a chance to see this movie today and I’ve got just a few words…It rocks! Depp and Cotillard are fantastic. The newspaper folks did a great job, too. Look for a review highlighting the best parts later this week as well as some exclusive photos from the premiere!!!

Tulsa Million Miles initiative gets boost

Sunday, 12 July 2009
Tulsa Million Miles, an initiative of Mayor Kathy Taylor’s Fitness Challenge, received a huge boost today when Tulsa Tough’s Ride and Race event coordinator logged participants’ miles from their May event on the Web site.

A total of 63,323.1 miles were added to TulsaMillionMiles.com, increasing the mileage to 396,209 and edging the health and fitness initiative closer to the halfway mark of one million miles.

“Tulsa Tough’s premier biking event offered Tulsa’s unique opportunities to see amazing athletes compete in a three-day event,” said Mayor Kathy Taylor, “as well as participate in family friendly events like the Tulsa Townie Ride. The outcome of this exciting event not only boosted the odometer miles on TulsaMillionMiles.com but has re-ignited our efforts toward attaining one million miles by the end of the year and becoming a healthy and fit community. I encourage all event coordinators to notify us on our Web site of your event miles so that we can keep the momentum going.”

“To develop better habits for health and fitness and have some fun at the same time, it just takes hopping on a bike,” said Mike Dodson, ED, TSC. “As you can see by the strong participation from Tulsa Tough, the Tulsa region has made a statement about what is important to them.”

TulsaMillionMiles.com is a health and fitness Web site that allows users to log and keep track of their exercise miles, check out 2009 fitness events, find a Tulsa park or trail near their home, and much more! Web site users can guess the date and time our city will reach its goal of a million miles. Users must be 14 years or older to enter the drawing.

Eligible entries (only one per person) must be submitted before we reach 800,000 total miles. The grand prize winner will receive the following:

Weekend Stay at the Tulsa Marriot

Three-Month Personal Vitamin Supply

Tulsa Drillers Rookie Package

Annual Family Membership from the Oklahoma Aquarium

Tulsa Million Miles T-Shirts for the Family

Also, if you are a current Web site user who has seen a marked improvement in your health and fitness, please share your success story by e-mailing: info@tulsamillionmiles.com

By joining together in getting fit and healthy for life, we can all do our part to help Tulsa shape up, one mile at a time.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 July 2009 )