Sexual Abuse Suspect Arrested

Wednesday, March 7th 2007, 8:57 pm

By: News On 6

Wagoner County Sheriffâ€™s deputies make an arrest in a sexual assault investigation and a Wagoner County jury hands down a conviction in another case. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports the sheriff's office was responding to a domestic call when deputies learned of several sexual abuse allegations.

The suspect, Eugene Putnam was brought in for questioning. Putnam has not been charged, but according to an arrest report by the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office, Putnam admitted to sexually abusing four family members. "It happened about six years ago, approximately over about a year to two year period," says Wagoner County Sheriffâ€™s Office investigator Bob Haley. The sheriff's office says the girls were between 8 and 12 at the time.

Putnam is being held in the Wagoner County jail on a $250,000 bond.

While that investigation is in its beginning stages in Wagoner County, a similar case is wrapping up and it could result in lengthy prison time.

Investigator Bob Haley says a Wagoner County jury found James Wilhite guilty on one count of first-degree rape, two counts lewd acts to a minor and indecent exposure. â€œThese crimes are very serious to us here in Wagoner County. We will investigate it best we can and do everything that we have to do to get these convictions."

The jury recommended Wilhite be sentenced to 100 years in prison. A judge has set formal sentencing for early next month.