Oklahoma AG Takes Over Prosecution Of Stalking Case From Rogers County DA

A News On 6 report prompted the Oklahoma State Attorney General to do something he's never done before -- to take over prosecution of a local case.

Monday, September 29th 2014, 5:58 pm

By: News On 6

Oklahoma AG Takes Over Prosecution Of Stalking Case From Rogers County DA

A News On 6 report prompted the Oklahoma State Attorney General to do something he's never done before -- to take over prosecution of a local case.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said he took the case away from the Rogers County District Attorney's Office because it was so concerned about the victim's safety.

When we interviewed Kathy Higgins in June, she was afraid she was going to die.

She said her ex-husband stalked, harassed and tried to kill her. She says nothing stopped him -- not the protective order or deputies arresting him over and over. When she found out the Rogers County DA's office offered him a plea deal for counseling through veteran's court and no jail time, she said she was at her limit.

"It was getting worse and worse,” Higgins said. “He was tracking me, following me, telling me everything I'm doing."

6/26/2014 Related Story: Inola Woman Says Ex-Husband Torments Her, Deserves Prison

The Rogers County Sheriff's Office had 12 contacts with Kathy's ex-husband, George Thomas. They arrested him three times and counted nine protective order violations.

They, too, were frustrated and afraid for her safety.

"[Thomas] has a feeling of invincibility and he's above the law in this case, and he's not,” RSCO Deputy Daniel Welch said.

After our story, the attorney general reviewed the case. On Friday, the AG took it over and filed 11 misdemeanors and four felonies against Thomas and had deputies arrest him on a $655,000 bond.

The felony charges allege Thomas rammed his truck into Higgins' car with her inside it three times.

The misdemeanor charges accuse him of stalking Higgins and her children with dozens of text messages.

Kathy says it was 18 months of hell.

Pruitt says, "…we provide support and resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. This is an extraordinary and rare step … to ensure the safety of an Oklahoman in danger. We were deeply concerned about the victim in is particular case.

The AG plans to ask a judge on Tuesday to hold Thomas without bond.

Thomas' attorney said he doesn't understand why the AG took over the case because Thomas has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, has been on medication, and says counseling through veteran's court would've been best.

The Rogers County DA's office had no comment since the case is pending.