Sheriff’s Critic Challenges Investigation: ‘That’s What Happens When You Try to Expose Corruption?’

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Facebook Page Criticizing Leadership

The arrest of Mike Reynolds, creator of the Facebook page Wilder News, has sparked concerns about possible retaliation in Cleveland County. Reynolds, a retired police officer and current school security officer, had criticized Sheriff Chris Amason and his office over alleged mismanagement of taxpayer funds. He claims he posted anonymously for more than a year before the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) launched an investigation to uncover the identity behind Wilder News, ultimately leading to his arrest last month.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW AFTER ARREST: Cleveland County Sheriff's Critic Speaks Out After Controversial Arrest

Body camera video from the arresting officers shows them arriving at Reynolds’ security job to execute an arrest warrant on allegations of computer crimes, including doxing. As part of the investigation, officers immediately seized Reynolds’ phone.

 Body Camera Footage Shows Unfolding Arrest

Newly obtained body camera footage captures Reynolds’ reaction to his January 22nd  arrest in Oklahoma City.

BREAKING THE NEWS OF ARREST: Cleveland County Sheriff Critic Arrested

“I think they were trying to make a point to me and their other critics that, you know, you need to just stop messing with us,” Reynolds said.

The video also shows Reynolds’ boss expressing skepticism about the arrest, questioning why a misdemeanor warrant was served at his workplace.

“Misdemeanor? … That has to be served at work?” the boss asked. The officer responded, “I was just called.”

Visibly frustrated, Reynolds warned the arresting officers at one point, “That’s what happens when you try to expose corruption.”

 Reynolds Claims Arrest Is Retaliation for Exposing Misconduct

Reynolds cooperated with the arresting officers but maintains his innocence. Body camera footage captures him repeatedly insisting that he was merely exposing possible misconduct.

“The Cleveland County sheriff lost $4 million in taxpayer money, and I’ve been a thorn in his side for exposing a lot of his [expletive],” Reynolds said, calling his arrest a politically motivated attack. “They’re using me to get to the county commissioners.”

For over a year, the sheriff, the Board of Cleveland County Commissioners, and the county’s budget board have clashed over the sheriff’s finances and alleged misspending, with Reynolds documenting every development on Wilder News.

During his arrest, even an officer acknowledged the political undercurrents, telling him, “You just got knee-deep in some politics, and unfortunately, a judge thought it was worth signing a warrant.”

The arrest warrant, initially filed as part of a misdemeanor case, was quickly classified as a "dead case" after News 9 discovered that investigators had failed to present criminal charges to the Cleveland County District Attorney.

Following questions about the possible filing error, the case was reclassified as a miscellaneous record, pending any potential charges.

 Allegations of Doxing

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office accused Reynolds of doxing—publishing personal information about law enforcement officials to harass or intimidate.

Reynolds and his attorney, Tracy Schumacher, argue that all information shared on Facebook was public record and that the sheriff’s investigation into Reynolds is the real act of intimidation.

“The sheriff’s office targeted my client for telling the truth,” Schumacher stated. “The arrest of Mike Reynolds for exercising his right to free speech is something that all citizens of this state need to be watchful of.”

She points to a Wilder News report, published just a week before Reynolds’ arrest, as a possible reason for his targeting.

In a Jan. 13 Facebook post, Reynolds revealed that a sheriff’s deputy crashed her patrol car twice in one day, left the scene of both crashes in Yukon, and reported the incidents to her supervisor instead of local police.

Reynolds shared details of the incident, raising concerns about internal accountability at the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Search warrants for Reynolds’ Facebook account and personal phone were filed just days later.

His attorney argues that those warrants are as questionable as the arrest itself, noting that investigators cited not only doxing but also "crimes of libel and slander"—neither of which are criminal offenses.

“Truth is an absolute defense to libel and slander,” Schumacher said. “It is the truth that this deputy hit a mailbox. It’s on film.”

Providing the video as proof, Schumacher pointed to security video from the homeowner which shows the patrol car hitting a mailbox and driving off on Dec. 25.

“My client knows about this because the homeowner wanted his mailbox paid for,” Schumacher explained, emphasizing the public nature of the incident.

Calling the case an abuse of power, Schumacher warned that it should alarm every Oklahoman.

“When someone speaks out and exposes the misconduct of a public official, and that official’s office retaliates, it creates a chilling effect,” she said. “Other citizens who want to shed light on issues in their community may think twice.”

 Political Ties Raise Concerns About Case Review

Following Reynolds’ arrest, investigators presented charges to the Cleveland County District Attorney. However, the DA’s office recused itself, citing criticism it had also received from Wilder News.

The case was then referred to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. As the case progresses, Reynolds expressed concerns about impartiality due to Drummond’s known political ties to Sheriff Chris Amason.

The two were photographed together during the 2024 campaign, with Drummond endorsing Amason for re-election as sheriff.

Amason has not responded to News 9's multiple requests for comment on the investigation.

More recently, Amason appeared on stage with Drummond as he formally announced his bid for the Republican nomination for governor in the June 2026 primary election.

News 9 reached out to the Attorney General’s Office for comment but did not receive a response by publication.

Beyond concerns over the state’s handling of the case, issues of free speech, political retaliation, and law enforcement accountability continue to dominate discussions in Cleveland County.

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