Seiling Police Chief Arrested For Child Sex Crime

An Oklahoma police chief is arrested and booked into jail for a child sex crime. Right now, Seiling police chief Kelly Meeks is behind bars and on administrative leave without pay.

Dewey County sheriff's deputies were called out to the home of Meeks early Saturday morning. The Dewey County sheriff says so far the chief has been coopering with investigators.

"It shocked the entire community," said Dewey County Sheriff, Clay Sander.

"It kinda makes me mad, because he's been here in this town, and him doing something like that, it's not right," said Seiling resident, Tommy Varnell.

In a town of less than 1,000, it doesn't take long for news to spread. Around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, the Dewey County Sheriff's office got a call for assistance in Seiling.

Sheriffs deputies arrived at the home of the police chief. 

"I'm still in shock. I don't know what to think, because I didn't see him like that, I really didn't," said Varnell.

"This is kind of disturbing, really disturbing. I mean we have kids running all over the streets," said resident Robin Flowers.

Meeks was arrested on a complaint of lewd molestation. The victim, under the age of 16.

"It's always hard in law enforcement when we have to arrest one of our own," said Sheriff Sander. "No matter what that crime is, police officers are held to a higher standard."

Sheriff Sander says the alleged molestation happened inside Chief Meeks home. The chief is married with five children, and well respected in the community.

"Been a member of this community for several years, been in law enforcement most of his adult life," Sheriff Sander said.

"It's just kinda overwhelming," said Flowers. "Who can you trust anymore."

The Dewey County Sheriff's Office will handle Seiling's emergency calls while Chief Meeks is under investigation. Meeks is expected to be officially charged Tuesday at the Dewey County Courthouse. His bond is set at $100,000.