Former Oklahoma County detention officer faces new embezzlement charges after first arrest

A former Oklahoma County detention officer accused of embezzlement has been arrested again. Prison officials said the investigative unit uncovered additional criminal activity, including grand theft and forgery.

“It’s extremely disappointing,” said Brandi Garner, CEO of the Oklahoma County Detention Center.

Euitt Sharp spent ten years as a detention officer in the Oklahoma County Jail before falling from grace.

“A lot of people trusted that he would do the right thing and lead by example, and he didn’t do that,” Garner said.

The veteran officer was arrested earlier this month on embezzlement charges and accused of stealing $549 from a resident who was sent to prison in September. The investigation began after the resident’s release and the money that was supposed to be in a trust account could not be found. On Wednesday, Sharp was arrested again by members of the Oklahoma County Detention Center Criminal Investigation Division. Investigators discovered five additional cases in which Sharp allegedly stole more money, including $2,000 from an inmate, and then forged a document so the money wouldn’t show up in the computer system.

“We need to hold people accountable,” Garner said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s someone who’s stuck here or if it’s one of our own employees.”

Garner attributes this to the criminal investigation department.

“They’re getting to the bottom of what’s actually going on in this facility,” she said.

Back in August, the department arrested two detention officers, Kaylyn Crawford and Xzavier Nicholson, for smuggling illegal goods into the prison. Both were new to their positions.

“I think there are a number of people who come here with the best of intentions and see an opportunity, and the temptation is too great for them,” Garner said.

Garner hopes that additional training will prevent the next round of cadets graduating Thursday from falling victim to corruption.

“They have completed a lot of realistic training that we are very proud of. It is the newest addition to our academy,” Garner said. “Of course, some people escape the background process because they have no criminal record and it is very difficult to identify someone who might do that or who is hired with that intent.”

The next academy is Nov. 4 and Garner hopes to have up to 40 cadets.

Meanwhile, Sharp was fired after his first arrest. He is currently out on a $10,000 bond.