Group wants grand jury probe of Wagoner County jail deaths, alleged corruption

By John Dobberstein, Editor

A nonprofit citizens group wants a grand jury empaneled to investigate allegedly “criminal” acts by the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Department in the deaths of county jail inmate Angela Liggans and motorist Jeffrey Krueger.

The 14-page petition from Wagoner County Citizens Against Corruption also requests a grand jury investigate “an assault and battery committed by the Sheriff Chris Elliott “against a Wagoner County jail inmate, and the failure of Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp to prosecute the incident.

WCCAC also requested an investigation into “the attempted concealment of evidence” by Elliott of a Wagoner County Commission investigation into the county’s 911 director.

Wagoner County District Judge Michael Hogan approved the grand jury petition. The group now has 45 days to collect at least 4,300 valid signatures, and WCCAC is targeting at least 6,000.

“In the strongest possible terms I want to state that I categorically deny the claims made in the filing,” Thorp said in a statement Thursday. “Not only are they insufficient to advise the public of the truth, but in many cases are legally incorrect and certainly they do not define the actual legal requirements.”

Thorp added that “should it be necessary, I will ultimately present proof of political and evil motive in presenting these allegations (against myself), and will ultimately seek any potential remedy.”

The Sentinel has also reached out to Elliott for comment.

The Liggans case went to U.S. federal court, and the resulting judgment against Wagoner County for $13.5 million required a voter-approved sales tax increase to pay it off, which outraged many residents.

The petition says Elliott failed to properly staff the Wagoner County Detention Facility or adequately supervise detention officers to ensure inmates were properly provided monitoring, prescription drugs and emergency medical care.

Liggans passed away from diabetic ketoacidosis, the medical examiner says, in her isolation cell after not receiving insulin from May 29 to June 2, 2021. The following day, Elliott said he would ask the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to look into the death.

In public statements, Sheriff Elliott has said he takes some responsibility for Liggans’ death. “I own it. I want everyone to hear this: I own this. I’m not pointing fingers. It’s my responsibility,” Elliott told the Broken Arrow City Council earlier this year.

He added that operational changes had been made at the Detention Facility to improve inmate medical care. The Tulsa World reported that an unannounced inspection at the Detention Center in March by the Oklahoma State Department of Health found no deficiencies.

I want everyone to hear this: I own this. I’m not pointing fingers. It’s my responsibility.

Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott

Kreuger was arrested and detained on July 1, 2019 by four Wagoner County deputies and the force used “was so excessive” that it caused his death, the petition alleges. Krueger was forcibly removed from his vehicle, tasered, restrained face down and two deputies sat on his back and legs, the group alleges. They also said Kreuger’s head was slammed against the pavement, causing a deep gash.

A medical examiner’s report says Krueger died from positional asphyxia due to his restraint. None of the officers were ever charged by Thorp.

Another incident named in the petition involved Elliott, his wife Judy Elliott and an inmate, Elizabeth Rodriquez. The petition alleges that Judy Elliott was repeatedly allowed to work in the Detention Facility but interact with inmates house there.

In 2019, the group says, Judy Elliott was visiting Rodriguez – who was detailed on a first-degree murder charge – and it turned into a heated argument. Chris Elliott approach them and intervened and he “violently grabbed” Rodriguez by the hair and dragged her from the common area to a jail cell. WCCAC’s petition faults Thorp for not prosecuting the actions.

Judy Elliott was also coordinator of the Wagoner County Emergency 911 Office and the group’s petition says the Wagoner County Commission began an investigation of the office in 2024.

The Board of Commissioners placed Judy Elliott on paid administrative leave on March 12. The same day, Sheriff Elliott and his wife and two other deputies entered the office and all files on Judy Elliott’s computer were deleted, the petition says, without the knowledge or consent of the Wagoner County Commission. Organizers of the petition say the allegations are serious enough to warrant the removal of Thorp and Sheriff Elliott from office.

Thorp noted the Liggans and Kreuger cases were investigated by OSBI and criminal charges were declined years ago. He also responded that no criminal investigation was ever presented to his office over the Rodriguez case and that she never filed a police report. A lawsuit she filed was dismissed, he says.

“I fully intend to fight these allegations with every ounce of my ability, and the truth will prevail,” Thorp says.