FILE - In this undated photo provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, Tulsa police officer Jeff Henderson is pictured in an undated booking photo, after being charged as a result of a federal grand jury investigation into police corruption in Tulsa, Okla. Henderson faces sentencing today. (AP Photo/Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, File)
FILE - In this undated photo provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, Tulsa police officer Jeff Henderson is pictured in an undated booking photo, after being charged as a result of a federal grand jury investigation into police corruption in Tulsa, Okla. Henderson faces sentencing today. (AP Photo/Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, File)
FILE - In this photo provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, former ATF Agent Brandon McFadden is pictured in an undated booking photo after being charged as a result of a federal grand jury investigation into police corruption in Tulsa, Okla. McFadden faces sentencing today. (AP Photo/Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, File)
TULSA, Okla. (AP) ? Two former Tulsa police officers were sentenced to prison Tuesday for their roles in a corruption scandal that left the city's police department blemished with allegations of illegal searches, lying to federal officials and the theft of money and drugs.
Jeff Henderson was sentenced to 42 months behind bars, minus time served. John K. Gray, who cooperated with federal investigators, drew a sentence of four months in prison, followed by four years of supervised probation.
Two other former law officers were to be sentenced later Tuesday.
Henderson and Gray are among 11 officers to be charged or named as unindicted co-conspirators in the scandal since a federal investigation into corruption allegations began in 2009. More than 40 people have had their convictions overturned or won their release from prison as a result.
U.S. District Judge Bruce Black noted that Gray's cooperation was so important that the investigation couldn't have been brought to a successful conclusion without him, but he imposed a prison sentence anyway.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers had told Black, of New Mexico, that Gray should receive only probation.
Gray was convicted in June of stealing more than $1,000 in U.S. government funds. The FBI set up a sting at a Tulsa motel in which Gray and several other officers thought they were raiding a drug dealer from Texas. Of the $13,000 they seized, the officers turned in $8,000 and divided $5,000.
Prosecutors say the room contained hidden video cameras that showed Gray placing money in his pocket. The officers later became suspicious and tried to turn the money in to the Tulsa Police Department.
On Tuesday, the judge told Gray he appreciated the 20-year police veteran's "willingness to stand up and take responsibility" for his actions.
Gray apologized to his family and the police department for the shame and embarrassment of what he had done.
Henderson was convicted in August on eight counts, including perjury and violating the civil rights of citizens during an illegal search. A jury acquitted him on 45 other charges.
Among the accusations against Henderson was that he and other officers entered the home of Jose Angel Gonzalez without a warrant in September 2007, discovered a shotgun in his closet, and moved the gun to an air vent.
The officers later returned with a search warrant and arrested Gonzalez on possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
Henderson, who testified in his own defense, denied the initial search happened.
He showed no emotion as U.S. District Judge Bruce Black of New Mexico pronounced the sentence.
Black told Henderson that he had an exemplary career and that the sentencing made it a "sad day."
Black was named to hear the cases after all local judges recused because of the potential for a conflict of interest. The officers were prosecuted by members of the U.S. Attorney's office in Little Rock, Ark.
Henderson will receive credit for time he's already served, putting him behind bars for about 20 more months. He will likely serve his time at a federal prison in South Dakota. Henderson asked to be held in protective custody pending his transfer.
Seven civil lawsuits have been filed against the city by former defendants since the corruption investigation began, and Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris has said more cases could be thrown out as his office reviews evidence produced by Henderson and the other officers who were indicted.
Also to be sentenced Tuesday were former police Cpl. Harold Wells, who was convicted on 5 counts, including civil rights violations, but one of those convictions was subsequently overturned; and former ATF agent Brandon McFadden, who pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy.
McFadden also cooperated with prosecutors.
Bill Arnold, the grandfather of Henderson's wife, attended his sentencing. He said Henderson was wrongly convicted and that he had a strong record as an officer.
"They railroaded Jeff," Arnold said, complaining that Henderson had been taken away from his family and home. "Do you know what he got for Thanksgiving dinner a year ago? A hot dog."
Associated Pressjeffrey eugenides volcker rule matthew stafford brady quinn brady quinn nick fairley barry sanders
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