Two Tulsa Police Department employees arrested

The feds arrest a Tulsa Police officer Tuesday afternoon. The investigation began last summer and included the arrest of a Tulsa Police Department records clerk. <br/><br/>News on 6 crime reporter Lori

Tuesday, February 28th 2006, 5:22 pm

By: News On 6

The feds arrest a Tulsa Police officer Tuesday afternoon. The investigation began last summer and included the arrest of a Tulsa Police Department records clerk.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says the police officer and the records clerk are accused of sharing secret police information with criminals.

First, Officer Rico Yarbrough, he's been an officer since 1995 and has most recently been assigned the gangs unit. [pictured here in a previous News on 6 interview]

He faces two counts of obstruction of justice, for interfering with an FBI investigation. Records show the FBI told Yarbrough in December they were investigating a suspect for selling drugs and laundering money.

In January, the FBI tapped Yarbrough's cell phone. An affidavit says on February 8th, Yarbrough told the drug dealer everything the FBI had told him about the investigation and even gave the dealer tips on how to avoid wiretaps and grand jury investigations. On February 9th, it says the FBI told Yarbrough they were going to serve a search warrant on the drug dealer's house the next day, just to see if he would warn the guy. They say he did exactly that, by calling a go-between and asking him to call the drug dealer and warn him, saying "Those Oklahoma City boys (FBI) are getting ready to knock on your door."

His attorney says Yarbrough was shocked by the charges. Attorney Michael McGuire: "He's got a very good record; he's been a Tulsa police officer for 11 years. He's not only a good police officer; he's a decorated police officer."

The other arrest involves DeShon Stanley, a civilian employee who is the office administrator for Tulsa Police records. Officers served a search warrant at her west Tulsa home Tuesday.

An affidavit says two people admitted Stanley gave them confidential information from police records. It also says a prisoner from Davis Correctional Center got two addresses from Stanley through some go-betweens.

An affidavit says a prisoner had been convicted in 1999 for burglary and robbery because an eyewitness identified him in court. It says that person wanted that eyewitness' address and received it from Stanley.

Both Stanley and Officer Yarbrough are out on bond, both must wear monitoring bracelets and both have been suspended from their jobs.

The US Attorneyâ€™s office recognized the Tulsa Police Department for its support and cooperation in both of these investigations.