Trafficker re-arrested after bogus release in Lawton
CrimePrison officials say judgment, sentence report were forgeries
Published: November 7, 2009
MIAMI, OK. — A drug trafficker with multiple convictions and a sentence of life in prison was re-arrested early Friday after using a fake court document to walk away from the Lawton Correctional Facility.
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‘It’s a shame’
Dopp’s father, Jerry Dopp, 67, of Commerce, said he had not seen his son in a couple of days, and did not know he had been taken back to prison.
"It’s a shame,” he said upon learning of his son’s arrest Friday night.
"He shouldn’t have gotten a life sentence anyway. People murder people and get out in 10 years. Rick has already served 10 years,” Jerry Dopp said.
"He never hurt nobody, wasn’t carrying a gun, never stole anything and there he gets a life sentence for selling a little bit of pot,” he said.
"It’s a crooked deal. They just wanted to get rid of him,” Jerry Dopp said.
Jerry Massie, Corrections Department spokesman, said it is possible to get a conviction of life without parole when a defendant has multiple prior convictions.
Wyant said he knew something was up when the Corrections Department officials sent out a notice listing Dopp as being released from prison.
Wyant learned the sham legal document had the forged signature of Associate District Judge Bruce David Gambill.
The first thing Gambill said after learning of the fraudulent court document was, "I want to report a crime,” Wyant said, referring to the forged signature on the document.
Ottawa County officials said the seal on the back of the document was bogus, Wyant said.
The Corrections Department did not have a certified copy of the bogus document and they were having a hard time finding his file, he said.
The Corrections Department has turned over the situation to internal affairs, Wyant said.
"The document looked legitimate,” Massie said, adding he doesn’t know whether Dopp had help from the outside.
Massie said Corrections Department officials have no present plans to look at past inmates who were released or to implement a moratorium on releases until the investigation is completed.
Lawsuits filed
Through the years Dopp has filed numerous lawsuits against the district attorney’s office and other court officials, Wyant said.
"I tried the case when I was an assistant district attorney,” Wyant said.
"He has been begging for release.”
Dopp’s drug problems date back to 1982 when he was sentenced to two years for manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance and preventing a witness from attending court, records show.
In 1986 he was sentenced to seven years for distribution and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, manufacturing and illegal possession.
Contributing: Staff Writer Matt Dinger
Related Topics:
Criminal Sentencing and Punishment, Judiciary
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