FORMER DETENTION OFFICER CHARGED
AFTER INVESTIGATION OF DETAINEE DEATH

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 17, 2022) – A former Oklahoma County Detention Officer was charged Tuesday following the investigation of a detainee death. Jesse Paul Kight faces charges of destruction or falsification of records and willful neglect of duty stemming from the suicide death of a Gabriel Yalartai on Dec. 26, 2021. Kight is accused of leaving his assigned post and failing to conduct required sight checks in his assigned area. He is further accused of forging the logbook by recording sight checks which he did not perform. Kight was terminated from the OCDC on Dec. 27, 2021. “Our Special Investigation Unit determined the detention officer failed to do his duty,” said Greg Williams, CEO of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. “We are entrusted with the care and welfare of the detainees in our custody. When that trust is broken, we will work with law enforcement to hold people accountable.”