Latest Update on Delaware County Corruption Involves Former Prosecutor / Defense Attorney

This post is the latest update in my coverage of Edwin Turlington's self-defense case. In 2014 he was arrested after shooting a methamphetamine manufacturer who had set up shop on Turlington's family property. When Edwin attempted to conduct a citizen's arrest on the perpetrator , he charged Turlington with a glass bottle and it was at this point Turlington fired a single shot into the perpetrator's leg.

What Turlington did not know was that the man he shot (Darrell Philpott) despite having a long criminal record was an informant for the Delaware County, Oklahoma Sheriff's Department. Mr. Turlington soon found himself as the focus of the department and was charged for shooting Philpott.

As a result he hired the services of local attorney Winston Connor II. Mr. Turlington paid Mr. Connor $10,000 to retain his services. Connor wanted an additional $20,000- $30,000 for his services and considering the fact that Mr. Turlington felt he was not properly being represented, he opted to defend himself.

Turlington had his reservations about Winston Connor II and as it turns out, he was right.

Connor recently made international news when the U.K.'s Daily Mail newspaper reported his arrest for his part in a murder for hire plot. According to the Daily Mail:

"An Oklahoma defense attorney has been arrested for allegedly asking a convicted murderer to kill another murderer while they were behind bars.

Attorney Winston Connor II, 54, was arrested Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina, after stepping off an airplane from a Caribbean vacation with his wife. 

Connor was said to have been secretly indicted by a grand jury in November, which charged him with solicitation for first-degree murder, racketeering, witness tampering, assault, unlawful communication with an inmate and drug and prostitution offenses, News OK reported.

The charges appear to stem from investigations that began in 2016, when authorities heard Connor on the phone with convicted murderer Slint Tate, 36, who was in prison serving a life sentence for fatally shooting a sheriff's deputy when he was 16."

The Grand Lake News gives a detailed account of Connor’s practice of trading legal services for sex with prostitutes:

"Connor was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 12, as he returned to the U.S. from a Caribbean vacation. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement officials conducted simultaneous searches of his home and law office.

The affidavit for search and seizure warrant filed by Thomas Helm, a member of the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, outlines how Connor allegedly used his “legal expertise to further the illegal operation” of the Loren Sells/Dennis Cousino criminal enterprises.

In the affidavit, Helms states, based upon grand jury testimony, Connor “knew that the Sells/Cousino Organization was wholly a front for prostitution.”

The affidavit alleges Connor “on numerous occasions, engaged in acts of prostitution with employees” of the organization. He also allegedly handled or discussed legal matters with multiple women, who were allegedly prostitutes with the organization."

Connor is a former prosecutor and the news of his arrest further exposes the Delaware County, Oklahoma Sheriff's Department's long history of corruption. 

The Grand Lake News in its coverage of Connor continues:

"During her testimony, according to the affidavit, Berger stated Connor “provided a sense of protection from law enforcement for the organized prostitution business." 

And:

"Berger’s testimony, according to the affidavit, stated “Connor would send people to her as a prostitute, including one time where Connor paid for the appointment.”

Berger testified “she believed they were clients of Connor and appeared ‘rough’ and possibly gang affiliated.”

All of this should be taken into account, considering the Delaware County Sheriff's Department utilized the same type of people described by Berger as "rough and possibly gang related" as protected informants.

This story is part of my ongoing investigation of the charges pending against veteran and private investigator Edwin Turlington for merely defending himself, his family and his family's property against dangerous methamphetamine manufacturers. 

For the full history of Edwin Turlington's story purchase "The Rape of Delaware Count". $10 paperback / $.99 Kindle