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A year to the date after being violently arrested while attempting to turn himself in, investigative journalist filed a federal lawsuit against Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies. But that wasn't the biggest victory of the day. By evening, corrupt officer Joey Oliver had resigned from the Boynton Police Department as termination proceedings closed in.
The timing wasn't coincidental. Oliver's resignation came just hours before what sources say would have been his firing, allowing him to escape with a clean record and the ability to move to another police department.
The Gypsy Cop Problem Exposed
Oliver's resignation follows a disturbing pattern investigators have documented across eastern Oklahoma. Officers facing serious misconduct charges are quietly allowed to resign rather than be terminated, then simply move to the next department over.
"Every one of them has a history of jumping from department to department," the journalist explained during a live update. Oliver previously worked in Sallisaw before moving to Boynton, carrying his alleged misconduct with him.
Carl Stout, Shaloha Edwards, and Blake Griffey all followed similar paths, investigators found. When termination seemed likely, they resigned and moved on, leaving victims behind and finding new ones elsewhere.
Victims Demand More Than Resignation
Even as the investigation celebrated Oliver's departure, victims weren't satisfied. One texted the journalists directly, asking why Oliver was allowed to resign instead of being fired.
The victim felt Oliver "should have been fired so it would stick to his record and he would have a problem getting the job elsewhere." She thanked the investigators for being "the guys that are going to follow him for the rest of his life."
The mayor of Boynton, who investigators met earlier that day, confirmed Oliver's resignation. Sources suggest the decision came after mounting pressure from the investigation and community outcry.
A Federal Lawsuit One Year Later
The day began with filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies on the one year anniversary of a violent arrest. The journalist was attempting to turn himself in for a press conference when deputies allegedly put him in a wrist lock, spun him around, caused him to fall, then piled on top of him during a medical emergency.
He was then charged with resisting arrest despite being there voluntarily. The lawsuit alleges malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and libel after one officer falsely claimed in reports that racist statements were made.
The Pattern Continues Across Oklahoma
The investigation has documented similar issues in multiple departments across the region. Blake Griffey, who allegedly shot someone, moved to work as a school resource officer. Shaloha Edwards disappeared after facing scrutiny but investigators spent hours tracking her movements to ensure she wasn't hired elsewhere.
The pattern extends beyond individual officers to the departments that enable them. "The cities that are letting them go under these circumstances are just as culpable," investigators noted, suggesting attorneys should pursue departments that allow problematic officers to escape accountability.
What Happens Next Remains Unknown
While Oliver's resignation removes him from Boynton, questions remain about where he might surface next and whether other officers will face similar scrutiny. The investigation promises to continue tracking these officers wherever they go, but the system that allows them to escape consequences remains largely intact.
The full livestream reveals additional details about confrontations with officials and plans to track down other officers who have disappeared into the system.
