IN BRIEF: Edmond father accused of providing drugs to young girls

Published: November 7, 2008

EDMOND

Father accused of providing drugs

Phillip Neill Seibel, 39, of Edmond was arrested Tuesday after four 12-year-old girls said he gave them cocaine and wine coolers at a slumber party at his home in the 5900 block of Woodridge Circle, Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputies said. Seibel was in the Oklahoma County jail Thursday on $56,000 bail. He faces four complaints of child abuse and seven complaints of drug possession in the presence of a child under 12. Girls gave officers a statement about the Oct. 8 slumber party at Seibel’s home, the crime report states. Deputies searched the home and found drugs and a gun. Three children at the home, ages 4, 7 and 9, were taken into protective custody.

OKLAHOMA CITY

Jury urges prison in sexual assault

Alfred Ray Burke Jr. of Oklahoma City was convicted Thursday on two of three felony counts filed against him after a 2007 abduction and sexual assault. Burke faces more than 500 years in prison, based on the Oklahoma County jury’s verdict. Burke, 46, was found guilty of kidnapping and forcible oral sodomy, but acquitted of a first-degree rape charge. He and his son, Alfred Ray Burke III, were accused of forcing a woman into their car near SW 25 and May Avenue and sexually assaulting her Oct. 3, 2007. An eight-man, four-woman panel decided Burke should be sentenced to 273 years on each count. Formal sentencing is set for Nov. 19.

CLAREMORE

Guilty plea in death spurs life sentence

David J. Leaverton, 51, of Talala pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Thursday and was sentenced to life in prison without parole, District Attorney Gene Haynes said. Leaverton also entered guilty pleas to shooting with intent to kill, burglary and possession of firearms after conviction or during probation. Leaverton was convicted of fatally shooting Christopher Puckett, 57, of Sequoyah, the husband of his former girlfriend.

ALTUS

No charges filed in gaming hall raid

Jackson County District Attorney John Wampler said Thursday he hasn’t determined whether to charge the Vietnam Veterans Association Bingo Hall in Altus with operating illegal gaming machines. Officers confiscated eight gaming computers and more than $9,000 from the hall Tuesday. Agents went undercover to play the games.

MUSKOGEE

Pair admit guilt in murder-for-hire

Tonia Mullins, 32, and Regina Hercules, 43, of Ada, who are charged with trying to hire someone to kill a U.S. Army soldier’s wife, pleaded guilty in federal court in Muskogee. Officials said Thursday that Mullins and Hercules pleaded guilty to conspiracy and murder-for-hire. They face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

LAWTON

Arrest puts wraps on trouble with tab

Arnold Loren, 28, of Lawton attempted to pay for his bar tab with gum wrappers and was arrested after a scuffle with police. Lawton police said Loren was arrested Tuesday night on a complaint of disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer. A bartender told police Loren first tried to pay his $32 tab with a credit card, which was declined. Police said he shoved an officer.

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS