Published: October 13, 2006 01:53 pm         

Four more charged in gambling investigation

CHICKASHA — Four more suspects were charged in the investigation into illegal gambling at the Chickasha Elks Lodge.

Grady County Deputy Bill Swanson was only charged with willful neglect of duty.

Deputies Jim Peek, and Delmer Barthelme and former Chickasha Police officer Greg Parks were all charged with being a peace officer engaging in illegal gambling and willful neglect of duty.

The gambling charge is a felony. Upon conviction, this charge is punishable with one-to-10 years in the state penitentiary and a fine of $500 - $10,000.

It also includes immediate removal from office and disqualification from holding any office of profit or trust in the State of Oklahoma.

The willful neglect of duty charge is a misdemeanor.

Upon conviction, the count would be punishable with imprisonment in the county jail for 30 days to one year and a fine of $250-$1,000. A conviction also carries with it removal from office and ineligibility to again hold public office for two years from the date of conviction.

All four suspects were set for arraignment this morning in Grady County District Court before Judge Ken Harris.

Friday’s action brings the total number of people charged in relation to the year-long investigation into illegal gambling charges at the Chickasha Elks Lodge to eight.

Previously, Grady County Sheriff Kieran McMullen, his wife Helen - a Chickasha Police Sergeant, Jerry Tyler - a recently retired Chickasha Police Lieutenant, and Robert Cacy - a Grady County Deputy were all indicted by the state’s multi-county grand jury on five counts each.