Fired Oklahoma Trooper Linked to Criminal Case? Had He Faced Previous Disciplinary Actions?” The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) has announced the termination of a trooper who was arrested during a traffic stop in Craig County and charged with sexual violence and forcible oral sodomy.
Two felony charges, including sexual battery and forcible oral sodomy, were filed against Jackie Lee Rhinehart on Tuesday by the office of Craig County District Attorney Matt Ballard, according to OHP.
Charges were filed when a supervisor from OHP checked the dashcam footage as part of their routine inspection, according to OHP.
The footage, according to OHP, focused on Rhinehart’s “unusual interactions with the truck driver” after he conducted a traffic check on March 13 while on duty.
The affidavit states that at around 12:48 a.m. on March 7th, while traveling on I-44 in Craig County, Rhinehart pulled over a semi-truck.
The 58-year-old Spanish-speaking motorist said that when Rhinehart approached her during the traffic stop, he made her feel uncomfortable and as if he wanted to have a sexual encounter. His nonverbal cues, according to the complaint, led her to believe that he wanted them to enter the semi’s sleeper.
Rhinehart returned to his patrol vehicle with the driver’s license in order to fill out a warning notice, while the driver took up residence in the semi’s passenger seat. Because she thought Rhinehart would try to get in the cab when he came back, she said she did it so she could get out of it.
According to the affidavit, the motorist was worried about becoming a victim herself and contemplated making a 911 call or filming the exchange while Rhinehart was back in his patrol car, but she ultimately decided against it out of fear of what Rhinehart may do.
Upon his return to the semi, Rhinehart informed the driver that he had just warned her for speeding. According to the affidavit, the driver felt confined since Rhinehart instructed her to remain there until making a second trip to his patrol car.
Read More:- New Oklahoma Law May Shorten Sentences for Abused Victims? Discover Details
After that, Rhinehart moved his police car such that it was squarely behind the semi’s trailer, blocking the view of the camera from the cab.
The third time Rhinehart went back to the semi, when the alleged attack happened, is when the affidavit states it did.
According to the driver, Rhinehart returned to his patrol car following the confrontation without exchanging any further words. The woman re-boarded the lorry and sped off.
Following that, the authorities started talking to the suspected victim as part of their investigation. On May 22nd, OHP fired Rhinehart.
According to fox23, A statement from the OHP stated that Rhinehart was fired “following an investigation by the agency’s Criminal Investigations Unit and its Office of Professional Standards.”
The deputy commissioner of public safety, Tim Tipton, stated that Rhinehart’s behavior does not align with the fundamental principles held by OHP, which include honesty, loyalty, integrity, respect, self-control, and professionalism.
We moved quickly as an agency once we became aware of possible illegal or unethical activity. There is just no room for Rhinehart’s appalling behavior in our company. Law enforcement officers work tirelessly to earn the public’s trust because they know how much it means to them. In this post, we have explore “Fired Oklahoma Trooper Linked to Criminal Case? Had He Faced Previous Disciplinary Actions?””
Natalie Clydesdale is a journalist at oklahomansdecide.org, where she covers crucial local and state news with a focus on accuracy and depth. Her extensive experience in investigative reporting ensures readers receive clear and reliable information. Follow her latest updates on Instagram.
