Search Warrants Obtained Reveal History Of Complaints Against Former Judge Timothy Henderson

The state’s quest for evidence in a sex scandal involving former Oklahoma County District Judge Timothy Henderson reveals a history of complaints. 

Henderson is accused of making repeated unwanted sexual advances toward two prosecutors and a defense attorney. 

In late March, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was asked to conduct a criminal investigation at the request of District Attorney David Prater. 

Read: Stitt Requests OSBI To Investigate Former District Judge Tim Henderson Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints was already conducting its own inquiry into sexual misconduct allegations against the judge. 

Subsequently, Henderson resigned. 

A pair of search warrants, which identifies two of the alleged victims, was made public Thursday and indicates the OSBI has obtained all investigative records from the Council on Judicial Complaints. 

The warrant details some of the Council on Judicial Complaints Investigation. 

Investigator Terry West’s said he felt the need to immediately investigate the sexual misconduct allegations because the Council received a “prior complaint” against Henderson for “giving preferential treatment to an attorney,” according to the warrants. 

Upon learning of the investigation, the record states DA Prater believed one of his prosecutors, an alleged victim, was the attorney referred to in the prior preferential treatment complaint.

It is unclear how many complaints were made against Henderson during his time on the bench. The Council on Judicial Complaints is bound by state statute from releasing information to the public.  

Henderson became a district judge in Oklahoma County in 2012 and was widely respected.  

The alleged victims claim Henderson was a mentor and it took them a long time to come forward because they feared for their careers, according to court records. 

The newly unsealed warrants detailed some of the alleged interactions, which included Henderson kissing, groping, and in one instance “dry humping” the prosecutor(s).  

Henderson is accused of engaging in the sex acts both in his chambers and outside of the courthouse. 

Henderson’s attorney Tracy Schumacher claims she’s uncovered evidence that contradicts the allegations. 

“Text communications support that it was a consensual affair. They do not support the young lady’s story that this was a nonconsensual event,” Schumacher said.

Schumacher said they plan to give the OSBI the text messages between Henderson and one of the prosecutors. 

She said they will also be turning over hotel locations to show it was consensual. 

The alleged victims did not return News 9’s requests for comment. Their names are being withheld due to the nature of the alleged crimes. 

The OSBI investigation is ongoing.