Knights Law to strengthen sex offender sentences

Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, secured passage Monday of a bill to establish stricter laws for convicted sex offenders following a tragedy in Henryetta last May.

House Bill 3992 would require individuals convicted of rape in the first degree, child sexual abuse, lewd or indecent proposals to a child, child pornography or aggravated child pornography, child prostitution or human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex to serve 100% of any sentence imposed.

Under the measure, a person convicted of human trafficking of a person under the age of 18 for commercial sex, child sexual abuse, procuring a minor for child pornography or possession of child pornography, child prostitution or rape in the first be punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“House Bill 3992 ensures that those convicted of these despicable acts face the full weight of the law, leaving no room for compromise on public safety,” Fetgatter said. “With this mea- sure, we are sending a resounding message: there is no tolerance for the exploitation and harm of our children and citizens.”

HB3992 would create a rebuttable presumption that no condition of release would assure the communities’ safety if the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the person, at the time of the offense, was a registered sex offender and was arrested for a sex crime. Earned credits would not be applied to inmates serving sentences for rape in the first degree, child sexual abuse, child pornography or aggravated child pornography, child prostitution or human trafficking.

After the discovery last May of seven bodies in Henryetta believed to be those of a convicted rapist, his wife, stepchildren and two unrelated teenage girls, Fetgatter said it’s time to pursue a stronger law.

He named HB3992 “Knight’s Law” after the Henryetta High School’s mascot.

“In the wake of the devastating tragedy in Henryetta, we need to establish stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Fetgatter said. “These events have caused immense pain and sorrow, leaving our community in a state of shock and grief. No other Oklahoman should suffer a tragedy as brutal and devastating as this.”

Last May, convicted rapist and registered sex offender Jesse McFadden, 39, was found dead in Henryetta, which is located within Fetgatter’s House district. McFadden was facing additional sex crime charges for allegedly soliciting sexual conduct/ communication with a minor by use of technology while he was still in prison. He was scheduled to be in court on these charges on May 1, 2023. When he failed to appear, authorities issued a bench warrant and went looking for him, instead finding him and six others dead.

Among the deceased were Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15, both of Henryetta. The four other victims were Holley McFadden, who was married to Jesse McFadden, and Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.

HB3992 passed the House 84-8 and is now available for consideration in the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville.