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State of Oklahoma v. Joshua Troy Caudle
Date: 07-21-2024
Case Number: CF-2018-87
Judge: Lawrence W. Parish
Court: District Court, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
Plaintiff's Attorney: David Youll
Defendant's Attorney: Robert Seacat
Description:
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with making lewd or indecent proposals to a child under 16 in violation of 21 O.S. 1123(A)(1).
Digested by Kent Morlan
On March 27, 2018, Caudle drove to a house in Okmulgee County, wearing his jailer uniform, badge, and duty weapon, for the purpose of having sex with a person he knew online only as "Stevie J". In reality, Stevie J. was a fictious person and profile, created by Captain James Ables of the Okmulgee Police Department, as part of an online undercover investigation of internet crimes against children. Using the social media site, MeetMe, Captain Ables initiated this investigation during February and March of 2018, and to comply with the website's age requirement, he listed Stevie J. as over 18 years of age.
It was undisputed that Caudle sent the first message to this fake profile. It was also undisputed that Caudle was told early on that Stevie J. was only 13 years old. Caudle ceased contact after the initial conversations and being told Stevie J. was 13. However, he resumed contact with the Stevie J profile within a day or so, using a newly-created profile of his own. He was again told Stevie J. was 13. Nonetheless, he engaged in conversations over the next few weeks, some of them sexual in nature, and arranged to meet the purported 13-year-old to have sex. He drove to the pre-set meeting place, passed by the house twice before stopping, and police arrested him in the driveway of the residence.
Caudle waived his Miranda rights and agreed to make a statement. He admitted that he was the one chatting with Stevie J. online. He said he changed his mind about having sex on the way to the prearranged meeting and intended to break it off in person. At trial, however, Caudle testified in his own defense and claimed that he believed that he was chatting with a 23-year-old the whole time. He claimed he thought the statements about Stevie J. being 13 were part of a fantasy game and he relied on the defense of entrapment.
Digested by Kent Morlan
On March 27, 2018, Caudle drove to a house in Okmulgee County, wearing his jailer uniform, badge, and duty weapon, for the purpose of having sex with a person he knew online only as "Stevie J". In reality, Stevie J. was a fictious person and profile, created by Captain James Ables of the Okmulgee Police Department, as part of an online undercover investigation of internet crimes against children. Using the social media site, MeetMe, Captain Ables initiated this investigation during February and March of 2018, and to comply with the website's age requirement, he listed Stevie J. as over 18 years of age.
It was undisputed that Caudle sent the first message to this fake profile. It was also undisputed that Caudle was told early on that Stevie J. was only 13 years old. Caudle ceased contact after the initial conversations and being told Stevie J. was 13. However, he resumed contact with the Stevie J profile within a day or so, using a newly-created profile of his own. He was again told Stevie J. was 13. Nonetheless, he engaged in conversations over the next few weeks, some of them sexual in nature, and arranged to meet the purported 13-year-old to have sex. He drove to the pre-set meeting place, passed by the house twice before stopping, and police arrested him in the driveway of the residence.
Caudle waived his Miranda rights and agreed to make a statement. He admitted that he was the one chatting with Stevie J. online. He said he changed his mind about having sex on the way to the prearranged meeting and intended to break it off in person. At trial, however, Caudle testified in his own defense and claimed that he believed that he was chatting with a 23-year-old the whole time. He claimed he thought the statements about Stevie J. being 13 were part of a fantasy game and he relied on the defense of entrapment.
Outcome:
The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections.
Affirmed on appeal.
Affirmed on appeal.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Oklahoma v. Joshua Troy Caudle?
The outcome was: The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections. Affirmed on appeal.
Which court heard State of Oklahoma v. Joshua Troy Caudle?
This case was heard in District Court, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, OK. The presiding judge was Lawrence W. Parish.
Who were the attorneys in State of Oklahoma v. Joshua Troy Caudle?
Plaintiff's attorney: David Youll. Defendant's attorney: Robert Seacat.
When was State of Oklahoma v. Joshua Troy Caudle decided?
This case was decided on July 21, 2024.