Ralph Shortey suspended from Senate activities, police report released of motel incident with teenage boy
MOORE, Okla. - Moore police released a redacted report Wednesday containing the details of the incident at a motel that has Senator Ralph Shortey facing criminal charges.
When police went to check on a juvenile at the Super 8 in Moore last Thursday, officers said they smelled a "strong odor of raw marijuana" coming from Room 120.
A redacted Moore police report shows officers found a juvenile and an adult man inside.
The district attorney has confirmed the adult is Senator Ralph Shortey.
The 35-year-old republican is involved with teens on a regular basis through the YMCA Youth in government program and as a senior staffer at Boys State.
When asked why he was in that motel room, he said "he was just there to hang out with his friend."
That friend is a teenage boy whose parents told police "has a history of soliciting himself on Craigslist for sexual conduct."
Inside a backpack, police say they found an "open box of condoms."
Some of the details in the report are unclear because of the redacted information, but it appears the teen told his girlfriend earlier that "he was going to get paid tonight."
She says she watched the teen and the adult known to be Shortey enter the hotel room together.
A Kindle tablet revealed the teen had told the adult that he needed money for spring break, to which the adult, believed to be Shortey, responded, "would you be interested in sexual stuff?"
DA Greg Mashburn did not file charges against Shortey Wednesday, but the Oklahoma Senate sent a strong message.
The Senate passed a resolution to suspend Shortey from all committees and strip his name from all legislation.
He can no longer occupy his office or parking spot and must return all state property in his possession.
Shortey's seat was empty as the vote passed unanimously.
NewsChannel 4 has gone to Shortey’s home and called him repeatedly but only got his voicemail.
Senate leader Mike Schulz canceled his meeting with reporters Wednesday and instead sent a statement.
All other senators declined to comment on the resolution.
“This is not a presumption of guilt or innocence. The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion. This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light. It would be inappropriate to comment any further due to the pending investigation,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus.
DA Mashburn says charges could be filed Thursday.
Moore police release details of incident at motel involving teen, adult male
The Moore Police Department on Wednesday announced that it has recommended three prostitution-related charges against State Sen. Ralph Shortey.
The recommended charges include: soliciting prostitution of a minor, prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church and transporting for the purpose of prostitution.
Police say the investigation started after a man was found in a motel room with an underage boy. Employees at the Super 8 Motel in Moore say a person by the name of Ralph Allen Shortey checked in shortly after midnight March 9, and police arrived about 30 minutes later.
Oklahoma state senator found with teen boy in motel could face charges, authorities say
Charges could be filed Thursday against an Oklahoma state senator who police say was found with a teenage boy in a motel room in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, according to a local prosecutor.
Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said Wednesday that he could not say what charges might be filed against Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey of Oklahoma City, but told The Associated Press that police have presented a report to his office.
KOCO reported that Moore Police announced that it recommended three prostitution-related charges against the state senator, including soliciting prostitution of a minor and prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church.
"She (the first assistant district attorney) could send it back for more work or file it as is," Mashburn said.
Police in Moore have said they're still investigating the circumstances surrounding a March 9 incident involving Shortey and a teenager. Police did not immediately return a phone call for further comment.
Police released a heavily redacted report that said a juvenile boy was found in a motel room with an adult male on March 9. The names of those in the room and the boy's age are redacted in the report.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Senate imposed sanctions Wednesday on Shortey, voting 43-0 for a resolution that accuses him of "disorderly behavior." Among other things, it removes Shortey from membership and leadership of various Senate committees, bars him from occupying his office and reserved parking spot at the Capitol, blocks his expense allowances and authorship of bills, and revokes his right to have an executive assistant.
Senate officials said Shortey will still receive his $38,400 annual salary as a senator and will be allowed to vote.
Shortey, who was not present in the Senate chamber when the resolution was adopted without opposition, was also not in his Capitol office Wednesday and has not responded to requests for comment.
The resolution by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, a Republican from Altus, was co-sponsored by 44 of the Senate's 48 senators. In a statement following its passage, Schulz said it was not intended to be "a presumption of guilt or innocence."
"The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion," Schulz said. "This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light."
The chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, Pam Pollard, released a statement Wednesday condemning Shortey and alleging he is being investigated for a sex crime.
"No person, particularly a child, should be subjected to sex crimes," Pollard's statement said. "While we believe in the right to a fair trial and that all people deserve their day in court, the accusations against Ralph Shortey are in no way in line with the principles of the Oklahoma Republican Party."
The Moore Police Department on Wednesday announced that it has recommended three prostitution-related charges against State Sen. Ralph Shortey.
The recommended charges include: soliciting prostitution of a minor, prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church and transporting for the purpose of prostitution.
Police say the investigation started after a man was found in a motel room with an underage boy. Employees at the Super 8 Motel in Moore say a person by the name of Ralph Allen Shortey checked in shortly after midnight March 9, and police arrived about 30 minutes later.
Charges could be filed Thursday against an Oklahoma state senator who police say was found with a teenage boy in a motel room in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, according to a local prosecutor.
Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said Wednesday that he could not say what charges might be filed against Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey of Oklahoma City, but told The Associated Press that police have presented a report to his office.
KOCO reported that Moore Police announced that it recommended three prostitution-related charges against the state senator, including soliciting prostitution of a minor and prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church.
"She (the first assistant district attorney) could send it back for more work or file it as is," Mashburn said.
Police in Moore have said they're still investigating the circumstances surrounding a March 9 incident involving Shortey and a teenager. Police did not immediately return a phone call for further comment.
Police released a heavily redacted report that said a juvenile boy was found in a motel room with an adult male on March 9. The names of those in the room and the boy's age are redacted in the report.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Senate imposed sanctions Wednesday on Shortey, voting 43-0 for a resolution that accuses him of "disorderly behavior." Among other things, it removes Shortey from membership and leadership of various Senate committees, bars him from occupying his office and reserved parking spot at the Capitol, blocks his expense allowances and authorship of bills, and revokes his right to have an executive assistant.
Senate officials said Shortey will still receive his $38,400 annual salary as a senator and will be allowed to vote.
Shortey, who was not present in the Senate chamber when the resolution was adopted without opposition, was also not in his Capitol office Wednesday and has not responded to requests for comment.
The resolution by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, a Republican from Altus, was co-sponsored by 44 of the Senate's 48 senators. In a statement following its passage, Schulz said it was not intended to be "a presumption of guilt or innocence."
"The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion," Schulz said. "This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light."
The chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, Pam Pollard, released a statement Wednesday condemning Shortey and alleging he is being investigated for a sex crime.
"No person, particularly a child, should be subjected to sex crimes," Pollard's statement said. "While we believe in the right to a fair trial and that all people deserve their day in court, the accusations against Ralph Shortey are in no way in line with the principles of the Oklahoma Republican Party."
When police went to check on a juvenile at the Super 8 in Moore last Thursday, officers said they smelled a "strong odor of raw marijuana" coming from Room 120.
A redacted Moore police report shows officers found a juvenile and an adult man inside.
The district attorney has confirmed the adult is Senator Ralph Shortey.
The 35-year-old republican is involved with teens on a regular basis through the YMCA Youth in government program and as a senior staffer at Boys State.
When asked why he was in that motel room, he said "he was just there to hang out with his friend."
That friend is a teenage boy whose parents told police "has a history of soliciting himself on Craigslist for sexual conduct."
Inside a backpack, police say they found an "open box of condoms."
Some of the details in the report are unclear because of the redacted information, but it appears the teen told his girlfriend earlier that "he was going to get paid tonight."
She says she watched the teen and the adult known to be Shortey enter the hotel room together.
A Kindle tablet revealed the teen had told the adult that he needed money for spring break, to which the adult, believed to be Shortey, responded, "would you be interested in sexual stuff?"
DA Greg Mashburn did not file charges against Shortey Wednesday, but the Oklahoma Senate sent a strong message.
The Senate passed a resolution to suspend Shortey from all committees and strip his name from all legislation.
He can no longer occupy his office or parking spot and must return all state property in his possession.
Shortey's seat was empty as the vote passed unanimously.
NewsChannel 4 has gone to Shortey’s home and called him repeatedly but only got his voicemail.
Senate leader Mike Schulz canceled his meeting with reporters Wednesday and instead sent a statement.
All other senators declined to comment on the resolution.
“This is not a presumption of guilt or innocence. The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion. This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light. It would be inappropriate to comment any further due to the pending investigation,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus.
DA Mashburn says charges could be filed Thursday.
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| FILE 2017: Feb. 22, 2017 file photo, Oklahoma state Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, speaks during a Senate committee meeting. (AP) |
Moore police release details of incident at motel involving teen, adult male
The Moore Police Department on Wednesday announced that it has recommended three prostitution-related charges against State Sen. Ralph Shortey.
The recommended charges include: soliciting prostitution of a minor, prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church and transporting for the purpose of prostitution.
Police say the investigation started after a man was found in a motel room with an underage boy. Employees at the Super 8 Motel in Moore say a person by the name of Ralph Allen Shortey checked in shortly after midnight March 9, and police arrived about 30 minutes later.
Oklahoma state senator found with teen boy in motel could face charges, authorities say
Charges could be filed Thursday against an Oklahoma state senator who police say was found with a teenage boy in a motel room in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, according to a local prosecutor.
Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said Wednesday that he could not say what charges might be filed against Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey of Oklahoma City, but told The Associated Press that police have presented a report to his office.
KOCO reported that Moore Police announced that it recommended three prostitution-related charges against the state senator, including soliciting prostitution of a minor and prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church.
"She (the first assistant district attorney) could send it back for more work or file it as is," Mashburn said.
Police in Moore have said they're still investigating the circumstances surrounding a March 9 incident involving Shortey and a teenager. Police did not immediately return a phone call for further comment.
Police released a heavily redacted report that said a juvenile boy was found in a motel room with an adult male on March 9. The names of those in the room and the boy's age are redacted in the report.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Senate imposed sanctions Wednesday on Shortey, voting 43-0 for a resolution that accuses him of "disorderly behavior." Among other things, it removes Shortey from membership and leadership of various Senate committees, bars him from occupying his office and reserved parking spot at the Capitol, blocks his expense allowances and authorship of bills, and revokes his right to have an executive assistant.
Senate officials said Shortey will still receive his $38,400 annual salary as a senator and will be allowed to vote.
Shortey, who was not present in the Senate chamber when the resolution was adopted without opposition, was also not in his Capitol office Wednesday and has not responded to requests for comment.
The resolution by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, a Republican from Altus, was co-sponsored by 44 of the Senate's 48 senators. In a statement following its passage, Schulz said it was not intended to be "a presumption of guilt or innocence."
"The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion," Schulz said. "This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light."
The chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, Pam Pollard, released a statement Wednesday condemning Shortey and alleging he is being investigated for a sex crime.
"No person, particularly a child, should be subjected to sex crimes," Pollard's statement said. "While we believe in the right to a fair trial and that all people deserve their day in court, the accusations against Ralph Shortey are in no way in line with the principles of the Oklahoma Republican Party."
The Moore Police Department on Wednesday announced that it has recommended three prostitution-related charges against State Sen. Ralph Shortey.
The recommended charges include: soliciting prostitution of a minor, prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church and transporting for the purpose of prostitution.
Police say the investigation started after a man was found in a motel room with an underage boy. Employees at the Super 8 Motel in Moore say a person by the name of Ralph Allen Shortey checked in shortly after midnight March 9, and police arrived about 30 minutes later.
Charges could be filed Thursday against an Oklahoma state senator who police say was found with a teenage boy in a motel room in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, according to a local prosecutor.
Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said Wednesday that he could not say what charges might be filed against Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey of Oklahoma City, but told The Associated Press that police have presented a report to his office.
KOCO reported that Moore Police announced that it recommended three prostitution-related charges against the state senator, including soliciting prostitution of a minor and prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church.
"She (the first assistant district attorney) could send it back for more work or file it as is," Mashburn said.
Police in Moore have said they're still investigating the circumstances surrounding a March 9 incident involving Shortey and a teenager. Police did not immediately return a phone call for further comment.
Police released a heavily redacted report that said a juvenile boy was found in a motel room with an adult male on March 9. The names of those in the room and the boy's age are redacted in the report.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Senate imposed sanctions Wednesday on Shortey, voting 43-0 for a resolution that accuses him of "disorderly behavior." Among other things, it removes Shortey from membership and leadership of various Senate committees, bars him from occupying his office and reserved parking spot at the Capitol, blocks his expense allowances and authorship of bills, and revokes his right to have an executive assistant.
Senate officials said Shortey will still receive his $38,400 annual salary as a senator and will be allowed to vote.
Shortey, who was not present in the Senate chamber when the resolution was adopted without opposition, was also not in his Capitol office Wednesday and has not responded to requests for comment.
The resolution by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, a Republican from Altus, was co-sponsored by 44 of the Senate's 48 senators. In a statement following its passage, Schulz said it was not intended to be "a presumption of guilt or innocence."
"The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion," Schulz said. "This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light."
The chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, Pam Pollard, released a statement Wednesday condemning Shortey and alleging he is being investigated for a sex crime.
"No person, particularly a child, should be subjected to sex crimes," Pollard's statement said. "While we believe in the right to a fair trial and that all people deserve their day in court, the accusations against Ralph Shortey are in no way in line with the principles of the Oklahoma Republican Party."
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