Lawmaker pursuing protection for potential sexual assault victims
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) - Rep. Scott Fetgatter in 2019 secured passage of a law to protect sexual assault victims from their predators. He's now pursuing legislation to better protect potential victims.
House Bill 1881 was named Kaylee's Law after a constituent in Fetgatter's House District 16. It directs the courts to issue orders of no contact from people convicted of sexual abuse or exploitation crimes to their victims.
After this week's news in Henryetta, Fetgatter says it is time he pursues a stronger law. This one must not only protect victims but potential victims as well, he said.
"I've moved from the initial grief and overwhelming sorrow I felt on learning the news of this terrible crime," Fetgatter said. "Now I'm angry. I'm furious this man was ever let out of prison with his conviction of rape and new charges of sexually soliciting a minor while he was still in state custody."
Fetgatter says even though it is the end of the legislative session, he's planning to file last-minute legislation to better protect the public from convicted sexual perpetrators.
Found dead near a home in Henryetta in Okmulgee County in Fetgatter's House district was 39-year-old Jesse McFadden, who had served 16 years in prison for conviction of first-degree rape. He was a registered sex offender who was facing additional sex-crime charges for allegedly soliciting sexual conduct/communication with a minor by use of technology while he was still in prison.
He was scheduled to be in court on these charges Monday. When he didn't appear, authorities issued a bench warrant and went looking for him.
That's when they discovered seven dead.
Among the deceased were 14-year-old Ivy Webster and 15-year-old Brittany Brewer, both of Henryetta. Four additional victims were found.
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