NOTEWORTHY & IN THE NEWS
Bob Wyatt was named for the sixth consecutive year to The Best Lawyers in America ® 2012 (Copyright by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.), and the Wyatt Law Office was listed again in the U.S. News & World Report "Best Law Firms 2011" for the second time as a Tier 1 Law Firm for both criminal defense white collar and non-white collar matters. In November 2011, Mr. Wyatt repeated as one of the criminal lawyers named by his peers as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer, where he has been listed since the inception of the list in 2006. In 2003, he was selected one of the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association "Champions of Liberty" because of his contributions to the OCDLA Internet forum. He is also Peer Review Rated AV ® (see, Martindale Hubbell for ratings explanation).
In February 2008, Bob Wyatt was interviewed by the National Law Journal for his expertise in the area of sex crimes and cybercrimes. See February 18, 2008, edition. After reviewing these noteworthy cases listed here, be sure to visit our page of "testimonials" showing what clients have had to say about our firm.
For a complete listing of the types of cases handled by our office, see our practice areas.
OUR RESULTS
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Testimonials--Clients'
Comments
What clients have to say about the Wyatt Law Office experience.
Mr. Wyatt was contracted by the
Fraternal Order of Police for the defense
of officers charged with crimes. He represented a police officer in
Tulsa in the 2010 "police corruption" probe in federal court and through
the
FOP
currently represents another officer charged in a state court matter.
Mr. Wyatt has also been selected and appointed by the federal court to
represent a State narcotics officer in a federal criminal matter.
For information about peer review ratings by other lawyers and judges.
* Note:
Results
may vary in any given case because each case
must be decided on its own unique facts and the law applicable
in that given case. You should not infer a probability of success
in your case based on the results in the cases discussed below.
The Wyatt Law Office is currently representing individuals in separate high profile public corruption claims, mortgage fraud, embezzlement, warehouse fraud, rape/lewd molestation, drug trafficking, asset forfeiture, possession and distribution child pornography, among other matters. Many other matters are either not filed because of counsel's early intervention in the investigation or might be dismissed as a result of counsel's negotiations; thus, the listing below is merely a representative sample of significant cases handled by members of the firm.
Split Verdict -- Not guilty 44 counts in police corruption allegations. Before trial, the judge merged four of the perjury charges into other counts and dismissed a bribery count during trial. After a three-and-a-half week federal jury trial in Tulsa , Officer Jeff Henderson was found not guilty of 44 counts of drug possession and distribution, use of a firearm during commission of a crime, witness tampering, perjury and subornation of perjury, conspiracy, and criminal violations of civil rights. However, the jury found Mr. Henderson guilty of two misdemeanor criminal violations of civil rights and guilty on the remaining six counts of perjury. Wyatt will appeal Henderson's convictions. (See Tulsa World for articles).
Federal drug case dismissed. After Wyatt's defense investigation of federal drug charge involving allegations that the client possessed 11 pounds (5 kilos) of meth with intent to distribute, government dismissed rather than face trial.*
Drug Evidence Suppressed in Federal Court.
Wyatt and Scott Graham teamed up arguing and convincing the federal court
to suppress evidence obtained after a "routine" traffic stop pursuant to
an open air drug dog sniff search. During an illegal search, Troopers
found 3,000 Oxycontin pills, multiple fake I.D.s, fake prescriptions, and
over $17,000 cash. All evidence suppressed and case dismissed.
Most of the siezed property to be returned to clients.*
Federal Charges Dismissed.
Client charged with conspiracy to defraud investors in an alleged $1.2
million advance fee scheme. At a "James" hearing to determine scope
of conspiracy, Wyatt showed that government had no proof against his
client. Government counsel agreed to dismiss the charges against
Wyatt's client; all other defendants still facing charges.*
Minimal Punishment after guilty verdict for child sexual abuse. Grandfather charged with sexually abusing grandchild. Jury returned guilty verdict but only 2 years imprisonment. Client facing up to life in prison.*
Regulatory Hearing Relief Granted -- Because of confidentiality of allegations and hearing, facts cannot be disclosed. However, "professional" client not sanctioned and retained license after non-jury hearing.*
Federal charges avoided
for killing bald eagle and for possession of eagle feathers and claws
after counsel involved in federal investigation.*
Minimal Punishment for Federal Price Fixing
Charge. Client accused of
orchestrating gasoline price-fixing scheme with volume of commerce in
excess of $5 million. Jury returned guilty verdict for Sherman Act
price-fixing violation, but judge ordered only probation (with no
restitution) based on evidence developed at trial and in mitigation.*
Charge avoided -- Owners of regulated business in health care industry not charged after Wyatt's involvement in investigation and negotiations for nominal civil sanctions.*
US Attorney Declined to File. In 2009, the U.S. Attorney (W.D. Oklahoma) declined to file possession of child pornography charges after counsel involved in investigation.*
Not Guilty Verdict for Assault & Battery on Police Officer and Obstructing an Officer during a Felony Arrest. December 2008. Client charged with 2 counts. Both police officers testified that my client attacked the officer while they were attempting to arrest the client's son and that the client told them "you aint arresting my son!" During the arrest, there was a scuffle which led to one officer and my client falling off of a 3' high porch -- causing injuries to the officer and a very serious injury to my client. Client testified that he unintentionally must have startled the officer, which prompted the officer to use force against my client. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.*
Not Guilty Verdict for Possession of Child Porn. October 2008. Client charged with 5 counts of possession of child pornography. The law enforcement agent testified that my client had confessed to accidentally accessing a child porn web site on two or more occasions and the feds had strong circumstantial evidence guilt because the only time there was child porn (or any porn) on the computer was when the client was recovering from cancer surgeries at his 80 year old mother’s house. The defense presented expert testimony of other “non-porn” searches (which indicated the searches were not my client) on the computer within the times that the Gov’t claims my client was surfing kiddie porn, and we presented evidence of an imperfect alibi (that he was in another city earlier in the day – even though no proof that he was in the second city at the “time” the porn was searched). Client testified. *
Rape Case Dismissed. October 2008. Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed a ruling of the Magistrate and the District Judge “barring” a second prosecution for statutory rape. A sailor in the U.S. Navy stationed at Tinker was charged with rape and tried in a military court martial. The defendant was acquitted. A year or so later, the County D.A. filed charges for the exact same crime – same elements, etc. I challenged the second prosecution on the grounds of “statutory” double jeopardy under 22 O.S. §§ 14, 130 and/or 522. The D.A. countered with the “dual sovereign” argument, which I conceded. Yet we stuck to our guns that the Legislature expanded the State citizen’s rights beyond that granted by the U.S. or Oklahoma Constitutions. The Court of Criminal Appeals (4-0) agreed with the defendant’s position and forever barred further prosecution.*
Charge Avoided & Investigation Terminated
. September 2008. After thorough criminal investigation by the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service and recommendations for fraud charges, Wyatt negotiated to avoid charges in an alleged Veteran's Affairs fraud scheme.*Charge Avoided & Investigation Terminated. September 2008. After thorough criminal investigation by the Social Security Administration and recommendations for fraud charges, Wyatt negotiated to avoid charges in an alleged scheme to defraud a vulnerable adult out of Social Security disability benefits.*
Tax Fraud Case Dismissed. August 2008. Client charged with knowingly filing a false State of Oklahoma tax return. After years of litigation and only days before trial, the court agreed with motions filed by the defense that the charge was not timely filed. Charges were dismissed after a contested hearing.*
Charge Avoided & Investigation Terminated. Wyatt assisted commercial airline pilot in avoiding criminal charges for abuse of a child and investigation was terminated. 2008.*
Child Porn Charge Dismissed. February 2007. Client was charged with downloading and viewing child pornography after a former arrest for similar accusations. After a full hearing, the court declined to "accelerate" the previous deferred sentence for possession of obscene materials and the new charge of possession of child porn was dismissed.*
Rape Charge Dismissed. In October 2006, the District Attorney dismissed allegations of second degree rape lodged against a medical student. This decision avoided a November jury trial and was based on information discovered by Wyatt in his investigation and challenge of the rape charge.*
14-Count Federal Child Porn Indictment Dismissed & Evidence Suppressed. In October 2006, Wyatt and McCoy teamed up again -- this time researching, briefing, arguing, and convincing the federal court to suppress evidence obtained pursuant to a search warrant in the FBI's and U.S. Customs' worldwide OPERATION CRYING EYES investigation. After the federal judge's ruling, the U.S. Attorneys' Office dismissed the 14 count indictment. Of the 130 suspects in the investigation, we are not aware of any other cases being dismissed.*
Acquittal (Not Guilty) on 106 Counts of Fraud & Money Laundering: August 2006. Bob Wyatt and Gloyd McCoy represented a grain elevator operator previously charged with and convicted of 106 counts of uttering forged securities and engaging in illegal monetary transactions (effectively money laundering). On behalf of the client, we sought habeas corpus relief and were granted a new trial. At this re-trial, the jury convicted again, but the trial judge released the client on bond pending appeal because of the issues raised by Wyatt. Wyatt appealed again, this time with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals directing a Judgment of Acquittal ("not guilty") -- meaning that the client is a free man and the government cannot try him again. United States v. Hunt, 456 F.3d 1255 (10th Cir.2006).*
Forcible Sodomy Charge Dismissed. In July 2006, Wyatt secured a dismissal of a college student's charge of forcible oral sodomy.*
Statutory Rape Charge Dismissed. In early 2006, a charge of statutory rape was dismissed as a result of Wyatt's representation.*
Embezzlement Charge Dismissed. In December 2004, the magistrate judge presiding over Carroll Fisher preliminary hearings dismissed the charge of embezzlement of campaign funds filed by the Attorney General. Other matters associated with Commissioner Fisher's charges are pending in five separate indictments, which will be put to a jury trial.*
Impeachment Trial. In late September 2004 only one week before his Senate trial, former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher hired Bob Wyatt to defend him before the Oklahoma Senate on the five Articles of Impeachment returned by the House. This was to be the first Impeachment trial in Oklahoma since 1965. After the Presiding Officer of the Senate Court and the Supreme Court of Oklahoma ruled that the impeachment process is a "political" process rather than a "legal" process and after denial of Wyatt's motion and argument before the Supreme Court of Oklahoma to postpone the impeachment proceedings in order to prepare adequately and to protect the rights of the Commissioner in his criminal action, the Commissioner elected to resign his office in order to preserve the integrity of the office and to save the people of Oklahoma the expense of trial. Mr. Wyatt currently represents Carroll Fisher in the five pending indictments. Fisher v. Senate of Oklahoma, 107 P.3d 556, 2004 OK 76 (Okla. 2004).*
Child Porn Charges Dismissed against Professor. In July 2004, after more than a year of this high-profile litigation, the District Attorney dismissed child porn charges against Wyatt's client but continues to press charges related to the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. A resolution was reached involving no jail time and no permanent criminal record.*
Evidence Suppressed in DUI with Great Bodily Harm; thus Case Dismissed. In June 2004, a Lincoln County judge suppressed critical blood evidence in a case alleging "great bodily harm" while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. (One alleged victim had her leg amputated and the other broke nearly every bone in his body). Without the blood evidence (which the defense also challenged on scientific grounds), there was no evidence to support a conviction. Bob Wyatt was co-counsel to D.C. Thomas in this contested criminal action which was set aside on the eve of jury trial.*
NOT GUILTY Verdict in Rape Trial. In May 2004, a Grady County jury found Mr. Wyatt's mentally challenged client not guilty of the rape of his 15-year-old niece. In this trial, the jury heard evidence that the girl was violently raped against her will and that the client enjoyed pornographic materials and movies. There was also testimony from a jailhouse informant who claimed Mr. Wyatt's client confessed to the rape. The jury listened to all of the evidence presented by both sides and returned a not guilty verdict.*
Sentence Vacated in Federal Securities Fraud Case. In December 2003, Bob Wyatt and Gloyd McCoy were engaged to represent a NW Oklahoma resident who had previously been convicted of 106 counts of uttering forged securities and engaging in illegal monetary transactions (effectively money laundering). The client sought habeas corpus relief for among other things ineffective assistance of his former trial counsel and conflict of interest. After a two-day hearing in January, the U.S. District Court on March 5, 2004, issued an order granting habeas relief and vacating the client's conviction and sentence.*
NOT GUILTY Verdict in Trial for Internet Child Solicitation & Traveling
for Sex. In June 2003, Mr. Wyatt successfully
represented a California man arrested in January on two counts of using
the Internet to entice a minor for sex and traveling across state lines to
engage in sex with a minor. A six man-six woman federal jury sitting in
Oklahoma City heard evidence for less than two days in June 2003 and
deliberated for more than 14 hours. The jury returned a not guilty
verdict on both counts notwithstanding the FBI's tape-recorded phone calls
and surveillance, evidence of other communications with and photographs of
minors and the self-described "nasty" Internet instant messages exchanged
between the defendant and the undercover FBI agent.*
"Seized Money" Returned to Client. In
December 2002, Wyatt secured the return of over $210,000 from the Oklahoma
Department of Public Safety (i.e., Oklahoma Highway Patrol). This money
had been seized during a traffic stop in Eastern Oklahoma, and the DPS
attempted to forfeit the money through its drug interdiction laws. After
litigating the issues for more than five months, the money was returned
Wyatt's client.*
Ghost Employee Charge Reduced to Misdemeanor. Mr. Wyatt represented one of many accused in the 2000-2001 "ghost employee" scandal at the Oklahoma Department of Health. In that case, Mr. Wyatt's client was indicted on multiple felony counts but pled guilty to only one misdemeanor in this politically charged investigation and ultimately paid a small fine. All of the felony counts were dismissed.*
Currently Mr. Wyatt serves as appointed counsel for Gary Rolland Welch in his federal habeas "appeals" of death sentences returned against him. Mr. Wyatt is trying to save this man's life in the only known case where the death penalty was given in a case of "mutual combat." (Both the client and the deceased "victim" were cut up during a knife fight -- with only one knife involved).
Bob Wyatt was one of the team leaders throughout the 2-year investigation and trial of Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City Bombing case. Wyatt was responsible for the defense of forensic science evidence and management of the over a million pages of investigatory documents and work product. Ultimately in December 1996, the law firm of Jones & Wyatt moved its operations to Denver pending completion of the McVeigh trial. In July 1997, Bob Wyatt returned to Enid to resume responsibilities to clients until June 2000, when his new firm was established in Oklahoma City.
Health Care Fraud Conviction Reversed, Case Dismissed. In the early 1990s, Bob Wyatt was co-counsel to two obstetric physicians and surgeons charged with multiple counts of "healthcare fraud" for alleged violation of CHAMPUS regulations as it related to over 100 patients of the surgery center. This four-year federal investigation in parallel civil and criminal proceedings concluded in a guilty verdict on all but one charge; however, Wyatt convinced the federal appeals court to reverse the conviction with orders to dismiss the charges for lack of merit. Bob Wyatt briefed and argued the appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. (See "Published"). United States v. Avery, 34 F.3d 1517 (10th Cir. 1994).*
Several other homicide cases were noteworthy. Mr. Wyatt represented Beverley Johnson, who was suspected in the death of her physician-husband. In August 1999, the State Multi-County Grand Jury ended its 18-month investigation returning no indictments in Dr. Johnson's homicide, thus clearing Mrs. Johnson. Stephen Jones and Bob Wyatt also represented a former Oklahoma City policewoman charged with first degree murder of her husband. The firm obtained a manslaughter verdict and the client is now out of prison after serving less than 7 years. Wyatt also joined Jones in the early 1990s in the defense of Floyd Allen Medlock in the first known "multiple personality disorder" homicide in Oklahoma, in one of the earliest uses of the "Make My Day" law in a shooting case in Enid (no charges were filed), and in a double "parenticide" (where a young man was charged in the shooting deaths of both parents).*
Wyatt currently represents clients charged in drug-related cases in federal and state court. He also is representing clients charged with mail and wire fraud, sex crimes, computer crimes, securities fraud, money laundering and banking crimes.
Wyatt was primarily responsible for representation of a principal in a GM
automobile franchise involved in a hostile takeover by a "partner." The
takeover attempt involved a 3-year complex "civil fraud" case brought by
my client and numerous third parties suing the hostile partner. The firm
was ultimately successful in securing 100% ownership of the GM franchise
for our client and limiting exposure of our client resulting from the
hostile partner's alleged wrong-doing.
Recently, Wyatt represented Oklahoma's Insurance Commissioner in the first impeachment proceeding in Oklahoma in 40 years. See "impeachment" above. (This action was based on alleged criminal wrong-doing, but technically is neither a criminal nor civil action. The Oklahoma courts have ruled that impeachment is a "political" process).
While at Jones & Wyatt (1989-2000) Bob Wyatt actively represented the Governor of Oklahoma in 1995; advised the former Treasurer of Oklahoma, Claudette Henry; and represented professionals before the Oklahoma Insurance Department, the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, the Oklahoma Bar Association, and the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors; and represented Phillips University (Enid, OK) and Phillips University-Japan.
Wyatt was responsible for representation of two prominent Oklahoma businessmen in a complex action for accounting malpractice against a regional public accounting firm. Jones & Wyatt secured a sizable confidential settlement.*
Bob Wyatt continues to represent insurance companies
and their clients, national and international corporations, Oklahoma
school districts, local and state-wide business concerns, the City of Enid
(1990, 1999), the Garfield County Sheriff (1992-93), the Enid Fire Civil
Service Commission (1998-2000), and persons charged with a broad range of
alleged crimes--among other complex and routine legal matters. Wyatt
is general counsel to Luckinbill Inc. (mechanical contractors), Old Surety
Life Insurance, B. Daniels Inc (investment counselors), Alexon
Corporation, Enterprise Investments Inc., Deer Creek-Lamont Public
Schools.
THE
BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA
Mr. Wyatt was selected for
inclusion since the 2007 Edition of
The Best Lawyers in America
® (Copyright
2006-10 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Mr. Wyatt appears
in both the White Collar Crime and Non-White Collar Criminal
Defense categories. Since its
inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as
the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. Because
Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which
24,000 leading attorneys throughout the country cast more than a half
million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their
specialties, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee
to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular
honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers
"the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice."
http://www.bestlawyers.com
OKLAHOMA SUPER LAWYERS
Mr. Wyatt was selected by his peers for inclusion in the inaugural edition
of the Oklahoma Super Lawyers
for his Criminal Defense practice since 2006. Oklahoma
Super Lawyers ® (Copyright
Law & Politics, 2006-09, republished in
Oklahoma Magazine
each November) identifies the top 5 percent of attorneys in each
state, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of
Law & Politics.
http://www.superlawyers.com
MARTINDALE-HUBBELL BAR REGISTRY OF PREEMINENT
LAWYERS
Mr. Wyatt has been AV-Rated since 1999.
AV® Peer Review Rating — An AV® certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence and integrity. A lawyer must be admitted to the bar for 10 years or more to receive an AV® rating.
5 out of
5 Rating on Lawyers.com. See,
http://www.martindale.com
Office Locations
The Wyatt Law Office is located in the State's capital of Oklahoma City, which is situated in the middle of the state. Wyatt's office is just two blocks from the federal courthouse and four blocks from the Oklahoma County courthouse. We are less than 10 minutes from the State's appellate courts which are housed in the State Capitol complex. For federal criminal matters outside of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City offers easy connections to most major cities and both coasts from the Will Rogers World Airport. We also have good relations with lawyers statewide so that we can work in almost any venue in Oklahoma.
Mr. Wyatt is licensed in all of Oklahoma's federal courts including U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma (Tulsa), and U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma (Muskogee).
Oklahoma County: Oklahoma City, Arcadia, Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Harrah, Jones, Luther, Midwest City, Moore, Newalla, Nichols Hills, Nicoma Park, Spencer, The Village, Tinker AFB, Valley Brook, Warr Acres, Yukon.
Canadian County: El Reno, Mustang, Piedmont, Yukon
Cleveland County: Norman, Moore
Garfield County: Enid
Logan County: Guthrie
McClain County: Purcell, Goldsby,
Newcastle
Pottowatomie County: Shawnee
Tulsa County: Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, Bixby
For other counties serviced, see Our Offices at the contact us page.
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