Miami News-Record
Thursday, May 16, 1996
Walker indicted by federal grand jury
Sheriff surrenders in Tulsa after 12-count indictment
By Ron Holmes
Miami News-Record
Seated in his small cramped office Wednesday afternoon, Ottawa County Sheriff Ed Walker was visibly shaken as he read the 12-count federal indictment charging him with extortion, aiding and abetting the operation of illegal gambling businesses, and obstruction of justice. Walker, 48, surrendered this morning in Tulsa. He was scheduled to plea before a magistrate judge later today.
The indictment was not unexpected. For months, almost since the gambling raids by federal agents last fall, rumors had circulated around the courthouse that the sheriff might be named by the federal grand jury which had been meeting in Tulsa. Each round of indictments from the U.S. Attorney’s Office brought additional speculation, and certainly Walker had long known that the jury was investigating his involvement.
But the matter was brought to the public’s attention early this week after a letter, which the sheriff wrote to his staff, was leaked to a Joplin television station. In it, he told his staff he expected to be indicted and placed the blame on unnamed, politically motivated persons.
Then, shortly after noon Wednesday in a five-page news release, U.S. Attorney Steve Lewis announced the indictments.
There are five counts of extortion claiming that Walker obtained payments of money from Hubert East, owner of Merchant’s Music Co. in Commerce; George Roberts, owner of Ozark Amusement Co. in Neosho, Mo.; Edwin Mercer, owner of Tubby’s Amusements, Monkey Island; Lawrence Brumback, owner of Tri-State Music in Ketchum; and Charles Newkirk of Oronogo, Mo.
The release reads, “In effect, Sheriff Walker is accused of illegally using his official position to obtain monies from the gambling device businesses by threatening economic harm, if the payments were not made to him.”
There are also four counts of aiding and abetting the operation of illegal gambling businesses in Ottawa County, and three counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Early Wednesday, before the indictments were official, Walker expressed his anger over the matter. “I’ve served this county for 24 years as a law enforcement officer,” he said.
“I’ve done the best job I could. If anybody has any doubts, they’re welcome to check my financial status. I live pay check to pay check.
Certainly Walker has had his share of troubles this year. He’s suffered two heart attacks which left him working at times, on a part-time basis. “It’s kind of ironic,” he said. “They recently garnisheed my check over unpaid medical bills.”
The sheriff adamantly maintains the indictments are politically motivated. “When I reopened the (Guy) Krisher homicide case, I stepped on a lot of toes,” he said. “I feel we need a federal investigation of that; there’s too many unanswered questions.
“It was all here when I took office,” he said speaking of the gambling machines. “I think this is a political move to get someone else in this office. Why would someone give up a job which pays $38,000 a year for one which paid $27,000?” Walker asked, in an oblique reference to district attorney chief investigator Jim Green who recently announced he was running for sheriff.
When the matter surfaced earlier in the week, District Attorney Ben Loring said that if no law provided for automatic removal, he would discuss with the federal authorities what evidence they might be willing to share. “If there is sufficient evidence then I’ll talk with the county commissioners about a possible ouster proceeding” he said. But Wednesday Loring said he will meet with the commissioners on Monday.
Walker said he will not resign. “I was voted in by the people,” said Walker, “and I’m sure there will be lawsuits before this is over.”
Walker spent Tuesday in Tulsa, meeting with his attorney and presumably federal officials. He said he had made an agreement with them that if indicted, he would give himself up.
Regardless of his guilt or innocence, the indictments could spell the end of Walker’s political career. It also means he may never see, at least as a law enforcement officer, the insides of the new jail which he was instrumental in building.
“But what ever it takes,” Walker said, “I’m going to clear my name.”
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