First Degree Rape Charge Filed Against Former ME Investigator

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK – A former investigator with the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's office is facing a new charge over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Kevin Rowland was charged with four counts of sexual battery last August after a multi-county grand jury investigation into the ME's office.

8/3/2009 Related story: Former ME Investigator Kevin Rowland Pleads Not Guilty

Rowland was supposed to be in a Tulsa County District Court Tuesday for his preliminary hearing on the charges when his attorney learned one charge of sexual battery had been amended to first degree rape.

Because of the new information, his preliminary hearing has been delayed until April 20.

Kevin Rowland and his attorney say they were blind sided by this new accusation and they claim another person, who was also forced out of the ME's office, will help prove Rowland's innocence.

Kevin Rowland and his attorney came to the Tulsa County courthouse in good spirits.

"I really thought there was a good chance they were going to dismiss," said Scott Adams, Rowland's Attorney.

But instead of removing charges, the Oklahoma Attorney General added one.

"Absolutely no clue until 9:35 (Tuesday) morning, it was a shock," said Scott Adams.

Kevin Rowland's 20-year career with the state medical examiner's office ended last summer, when he was charged with five counts of sexual battery in two different counties. Rowland is accused in both Tulsa County District Court and Oklahoma County District Court.

Rowland resigned from the Medical Examiner's office in March 2009. In his letter of resignation, he cited job stress.

He's accused of saying sexually explicit things and fondling several co-workers. Now, those accusations have escalated from inappropriate touching to rape. 

Read the amended charge court document. [Warning: graphic description] 

Adams says the victim never mentioned any of this to the grand jury.

"It's sickening that they're doing this. They're playing games. They're playing games with Kevin Rowland's life. I don't like it. But he will be vindicated. He will be vindicated loud and clear," said Scott Adams.

Scott Adams says the key to that vindication may be another former ME's office employee -- recently ousted chief examiner Doctor Collie Trant. 

The same day Rowland appeared in court, Trant sued the state to get his job back.

Read Collie Trant's Petition filed Tuesday afternoon.

In that lawsuit, Trant claims he has "documentation that the sexual harassment claims from the Tulsa employees were faked and that the claimants had committed far worse offenses themselves."

2/16/2010  Related Story: Whistle-Blower Lawsuit Filed by Former State Medical Examiner's Attorney

"He's the one who uncovered all of these salacious e-mails regarding Jill Kinney, the coaching of grand jury witnesses, the tampering of evidence with the grand jury. He simply turned it over to the board and he was terminated," said Scott Adams.

Adams is also waging Trant's legal battle while defending Rowland.

"The whole case against Kevin Rowland is a house of cards. And we're crushing them every day. They hate it. Now they're playing dirty. They want to play dirty. We'll get dirty too," said Scott Adams.

Kevin Rowland will be in court in Oklahoma County for a hearing on his sexual battery charge there. 

In addition to slamming the state medicolegal board, Doctor Trant also goes after the attorney general's office. He says he was told to keep his mouth shut, when he expressed concerns about the grand jury investigation.

Spokesperson from the Attorney General's office released the following statement:

The victim came to us last week accusing Mr. Rowland of rape. This allegation is reflected in the charge filed today. The state stands ready to present evidence on the rape and sexual battery charges at preliminary hearing in April. We will not be commenting beyond the information contained in today's filing.

Charlie Price