State Rep. Fetgatter to pursue better protection for sexual assault victims after Henryetta tragedy

Fetgatter to Initiate Protection Law after Henryetta Tragedy

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 3rd) – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, 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. It was named for a young woman who received a birthday card, pictures and newspaper clippings talking about how beautiful she'd grown up to be from the man accused of sexually assaulting her while he was serving time in prison.

After this week's news of the horrific finding of seven bodies in Henryetta believed to be those of a convicted rapist, his wife and stepchildren and two unrelated teenage girls, Fetgatter said 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 said 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. Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, has pledged to help.

Fetgatter said he's frustrated.

"I've worked on this issue, and yet we're facing what happened in Henryetta," he said. "I want to pass a law that closes any loopholes to keep something like this from ever happening again."

Details of the case are still emerging. In a Wednesday press conference, Law enforcement identified the deceased saying they all died of gunshot wounds.

Found dead near a home in Henryetta in Okmulgee County in Fetgatter's House district was Jesse McFadden, 39, 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. Law enforcement said it looks as if McFadden shot himself in the head.

Also among the deceased were Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15, both of Henryetta. Four additional victims were found. These were Holly McFadden, who was married to Jesse McFadden, and her children Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.

Scott Fetgatter serves District 16 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Parts of Muskogee, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties.