Former Logan County deputy pleads guilty to theft from federal grant

OKLAHOMA CITY – Former Logan County Deputy Sheriff Doyle Allen Baker, 31, of Weatherford, Texas, has pleaded guilty to theft from a federal transportation grant, announced Robert J. Troester of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

On Nov. 7, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Baker for stealing more than $5,000 from federal grant funds administered by the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, part of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, provided these funds to OHSO, which passed them on to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the indictment, as a Deputy Sheriff, Baker knew these federal funds could be used only to pay for employees working outside regular duty hours. From July to September of 2016, he allegedly submitted fraudulent timesheets that represented he worked overtime hours he did not in fact work. The indictment states he hid the fraudulent nature of more than $5,000 in overtime hours by submitting fake citations and warnings.

On March 7, 2019, Baker pleaded guilty to the indictment before U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot.

The maximum penalty that could be imposed as a result of this guilty plea is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Baker could also face up to three years of supervised release and will be required to pay restitution. Sentencing will take place in approximately 90 days.

This case is result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation—Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rozia McKinney-Foster.