McIntosh Co. Sheriffs Accused Of Embezzlement

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

EUFAULA, OK -- McIntosh County's sheriff and undersheriff find themselves on the wrong side of the law.  Sheriff Terry Jones and Undersheriff Mykol Brookshire were both detained by federal officials on Friday.  Both were released from custody.

It's the kind of news no one in McIntosh County wants to hear.  And, the U.S. attorney didn't want to deliver it.

"This is a sad deal. Nobody is jumping up and down and spiking the football in my office," said U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling.

The McIntosh County Sheriff's Office was empty on Friday afternoon.

The federal prosecutor says Sheriff Terry Jones and Undersheriff Mykol Brookshire are accused of abusing their power.  He says the charge stems from a traffic stop.

"They arrived.  They confiscated a large amount of cash.  They kept a significant portion of the cash, according to the charge that has been filed today," said U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling.

Sperling says the money was recovered at the sheriff and undersheriff's homes.  Some of it was even hidden in a vent at the undersheriff's home.  He says the two were detained and released.  And, they will be charged with a federal misdemeanor.

Sperling says in his experience, this kind of case is pretty unusual.

"Fortunately, what is alleged here is the exception rather than the rule. It's been our really good fortune to work with 26 county sheriffs through the years and for the most part they've been honorable and dedicated public servants," said U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling.

Sheriff Jones was re-elected to a second term last July.  He's currently on the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association Board.  And so far, no one has resigned over the incident.