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Watonga man arrested by police on morning walk with son

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A Watonga man says his rights were violated and his child was traumatized after he was arrested earlier this month. >> Download the KOCO 5 app At about 6 a.m. on July 4, John Sexton said he was on a normal morning walk with his 6-year-old son, who is autistic. Then they were stopped by two Watonga Police Department officers, whose body cameras recorded the tense moments after they emerged from an alley. “I just thought it was a little suspicious, you know?” an officer said. “What?” Sexton asked. “Just walking around,” the officer said. “Walking around is a little suspicious?” Sexton asked. “Technically, not really. But I mean, it’s pretty early in the morning,” the officer said. Sexton said the morning walk is something he and his son do regularly. “Coming here at 5 a.m. and walking around,” the officer said. “Yes, we will!” Sexton said. “No, don’t,” an officer said. “Give me your ID.” Find the latest news here. When Sexton didn’t give the officer his ID, the situation escalated. “I’m going to take you to jail for lack of identification,” the officer said. But Sexton said he didn’t have the ID on him. “I don’t have it. It’s in the house,” Sexton said. Officers threw the man to the ground and restrained him as his son watched and cried. An officer then escorted Sexton to his patrol car. “Shut up and just listen for a minute. We had such low suspicion that we were able to identify you,” the officer said. “What was I arrested for?” Sexton asked. “We don’t know what you did! We can call it criminal activity,” the officer said. Although Sexton was eventually released, he said his son hasn’t been the same since. “He’s been a police officer for Halloween the last two years. That’s what he wanted to be when he grew up. That’s what he says, at least, and now he’s afraid of them,” Sexton said. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now investigating whether that was justified. KOCO 5 also reached out to the Watonga police chief about the incident, but she declined to comment. Sexton now said he plans to press charges. “Horrible. I mean, it’s horrible to see my son cry like that and see my rights violated like that,” Sexton said. KOCO 5 has obtained the names of both officers, but chose not to release them because formal charges have not yet been filed. Although Sexton has warrants out for his arrest from Kay, Woods and Osage counties, no warrants are required. They all relate to traffic or driving violations. Top headlines Police identify victim, investigate motive behind fatal shooting at southeast Oklahoma City home Police arrest suspect after fatal shooting at southeast Oklahoma City home President Biden ends 2024 re-election bid, Vice President Harris receives his endorsement Former Oklahoma Governor David Walters supports Biden’s decision to drop out of presidential race Oklahoma politicians react to President Joe Biden’s announcement that he will not seek re-election

WATONGA, Oklahoma —

A Watonga man said his rights were violated and his child was traumatized after he was arrested earlier this month.

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At about 6 a.m. on July 4, John Sexton said he was out on a normal morning walk with his 6-year-old son, who has autism, when they were stopped by two Watonga Police Department officers, whose body cameras recorded the tense moments after they emerged from an alley.

“Just thought it was a little suspicious, you know?” said one officer.

“What?” asked Sexton.

“I’m just walking around,” the officer said.

“Is this walking around a little suspicious?” asked Sexton.

“Technically, not really. But I mean, it’s pretty early in the morning,” the officer said.

Sexton said he and his son take the morning walk regularly.

“Come here at 5 a.m. and walk around,” the officer said.

“Yes, we will!” said Sexton.

“No, you’re not,” said an officer. “Give me your ID.”

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When Sexton did not show the officer his identification, the situation escalated.

“I’m going to take you to jail for lack of identification,” the officer said.

However, Sexton said he did not have the ID with him.

“I don’t have it. It’s in the house,” Sexton said.

Officers tackled the man to the ground and restrained him while his son watched and cried. An officer then took Sexton to his patrol car.

“Be quiet and listen for a moment. Our suspicions were so low that we were able to identify you,” the officer said.

“Why was I detained?” asked Sexton.

“We don’t know what you did! We can call it a criminal act,” the officer said.

Although Sexton was eventually released, he said his son has not been the same since.

“He’s been a police officer for Halloween the last two years. That’s what he wanted to be when he grew up. That’s what he says, and now he’s scared of them,” Sexton said.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating whether this was justified. KOCO 5 also reached out to the Watonga Police Chief about the incident, but she declined to comment.

Sexton now said he wanted to press charges.

“Horrible. I mean, it’s horrible to see my son crying like that and to see my rights violated like that,” Sexton said.

KOCO 5 obtained the names of both officers but decided not to release them because formal charges have not yet been filed.

Although there are warrants in Sexton from Kay, Woods and Osage counties, no citations are required. They all relate to traffic or driving violations.

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