Convict back behind bars after bogus release OK

Local News

Discussion

November 6, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Fri Nov 06, 2009, 10:00 PM CST

By Krista Duhon

news@joplinglobe.com

MIAMI, Okla. — A former Ottawa County man serving a life sentence without parole in a drug-trafficking case is back behind bars after the Department of Corrections apparently received a bogus court order for his release.

Richard Lynn Dopp, 47, was taken into DOC custody at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday when state investigators retrieved him from his mother’s home in rural Ottawa County about a month after being released from his prison sentence.

Dopp, who was convicted of drug trafficking in 1998 and ordered to spend life in prison without an opportunity for parole, was released Oct. 5 from the Lawton Correctional Facility after prison officials received what Ottawa County officials said was a bogus “Modified Judgment and Sentence.”

Jerry Massie, a spokesman for the DOC, said Friday that the DOC has launched an investigation to answer the questions that everyone wants answered:

“How did it happen?”

“Who was involved?”

“Where did the document originate?”

“How will the facility prevent it from happening again?”

Ottawa County officials say the “Modified Judgment and Sentence” document in question displayed an Aug. 11, 2009, Ottawa County District Court date stamp as well as signatures of Judge Bruce David Gambill and Ottawa County Court Clerk Cathy Williams. It also notes a July 27 hearing during which Gambill ordered Dopp’s sentence reduced to 10 years with credit for time served — allowing for his immediate release.

The document was never filed in Ottawa County, and Williams and Gambill have said they did not sign the document, according to Ottawa County District Attorney Eddie Wyant.

DOC is not calling the incident an “escape,” but Wyant said Dopp walked away knowing that legally he had a life sentence to serve.

“I have no problem calling it an escape,” Wyant said. “He knew that there was never a July 27 hearing. He knew that his sentence was not reduced, and he chose to walk away from prison knowing that he was legally supposed to be there.”

According to Oklahoma’s On Demand Court Records, Gambill recused himself from Dopp’s case three days before the alleged sentence reduction was dated.

Gambill is among several judges who have had to recuse themselves from Dopp’s cases because Dopp names them in lawsuits, according to Wyant. He said that Dopp has repeatedly filed lawsuits and court actions in an attempt to get a reduced sentence.

Investigation

Jerry Massie, DOC spokesman, said there is protocol in place for verifying court orders and the investigation will determine where the procedures failed.

Text Only

Local News

Board places $62 million bond issue on April ballot
In a special session Monday morning, the Joplin Board of Education unanimously approved for the ballot what likely is the largest bond issue proposal in the history of the school district.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Turnout could be low for ‘straw poll’ primary
Local election officials don’t know what to expect in terms of voter turnout for today’s presidential preference primary, several said Monday.

February 6, 2012
Council denies Highview rezoning
Current residents of Highview Avenue, south of 20th Street, won a battle Monday night when the Joplin City Council denied commercial zoning for residential lots on the east side of the street. The war may not be over, though.

February 6, 2012
Two men plead guilty in sex-offense cases
The Jasper County prosecutor’s office obtained convictions Monday in two sex-offense cases through offers for the defendants to enter pleas on reduced charges.

February 6, 2012
Judge sends identity thief to prison
The husband of a woman who was sent to prison last year for putting an imaginary baby up for sale on Craigslist was assessed a prison term himself Monday for trafficking in stolen identities.

February 6, 2012
Carl Junction panel studying dog tethering, barking issues
The Carl Junction Codes and Nuisance Review Committee will meet today to consider possible ordinances for dog retention after a complaint by a resident at the most recent City Council meeting.

February 6, 2012
PSU president gives faculty preview of legislative report
At a forum Monday afternoon on budget-related and legislative issues, Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott gave about 100 faculty and staff members a preview of today’s testimony before the House Education Budget Committee.

February 6, 2012
No objections voiced to tribe’s CID proposal
A couple of questions but no objections were voiced Monday at a public hearing regarding a proposed community improvement district in northwest Newton County.

February 6, 2012
Mike Pound: Grown men soon to be playing baseball, so all is well
Now that the Super Bowl is over (It is over, isn’t it?), I’ve set my sights on Feb. 18. That is the day, according to what I’ve read, when major league baseball pitchers and catchers are due to start reporting for spring training. When spring training is under way, I don’t care what the weather is like around here.

February 6, 2012
SW Mo. man charged with abusing foster kids
A southwest Missouri man has been charged with sexually abusing two of his foster children.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Board places $62 million bond issue on April ballot

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Convict back behind bars after bogus release OK

Six judges in a county in Kansas are using iPads to sign off on search warrants so law enforcement can more quickly draw blood from suspected drunken drivers. Do you think more counties should use this technology?

Site Map

Contact Us