By
DYLAN GOFORTH
MUSKOGEE
-— A Muskogee police officer was arrested on accusations of assaulting,
kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman at his home in Oktaha.
Mark
Vernon Ridley was arrested late Wednesday, Muskogee County Chief Deputy Brandon
Caster said. Ridley, 39, is a 17-year veteran of the Muskogee Police Department
and had recently moved to the Patrol Division after spending time in
investigations, Cpl. Mike Mahan said.
Ridley
is jailed on complaints of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a
firearm during the commission of a felony, kidnapping and sexual assault,
Caster said.
Ridley
had been placed on administrative leave in December after allegations were
raised that he assaulted the same woman then, Mahan said. A protective order
was filed against him Dec. 18, then dismissed Jan. 14, according to court
records.
Another
protective order was filed against him on Wednesday, records show.
Mahan
said Ridley remains on administrative leave.
The
protective order filed in December alleged that he sexually assaulted the same
woman. Mahan said the Muskogee Police Department asked the Oklahoma State
Bureau of Investigation handle that case, and the OSBI submitted its findings
to the Muskogee County District Attorney's Office, which in turn called in a
special prosecutor from Delaware County to ensure an impartial investigation.
