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November 20, 2008

Former cop pleads guilty to firearms, valor crimes

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — MUSKOGEE – A former Muskogee police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of stolen firearms and stolen valor in a federal plea deal that will also close state court cases in Cherokee, Wagoner, Muskogee and Tulsa counties.

Ledford was charged in federal court Nov. 12 with possessing and selling nine stolen firearms between June 4, 2007, and May 29. He also allegedly represented himself July 23 verbally and in writing to have been awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. The stolen valor count is a misdemeanor.

U.S. Magistrate Kimberly West accepted Ledford’s plea and ordered completion of a pre-sentence investigation. Ledford was released on a $10,000 bond pending a sentencing hearing.

The firearms count carries a possible 10-year prison sentence and $250,000 in fines, while the stolen valor count has a possible penalty of a year in prison and $100,000 in fines. U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said preliminary sentencing guidelines project a sentencing range of 46 to 57 months in prison.

A document filed in the case indicates prosecutors in counties where Ledford is charged in state court have agreed to run their sentences, as well as the federal sentence, concurrently.

Sperling said the charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Muskogee police and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Ledford took the firearms from the Muskogee PD property room while working as a detective at the department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Horn prosecuted the case and Donn Baker represented Ledford in federal and state court.

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