Robert Samuel Wheeland – Part 2
Publication Date: 4/26/07
Last Update: 4/26/07
On 4/25/2007, convicted child rapist cop Robert Samuel Wheeland of Haskell, Oklahoma was formally sentenced following his earlier convictions on two counts of lewd molestation and one count of second-degree rape, in a case involving a 15-year-old female victim.
At Wheeland’s sentencing his attorney Chad Richardson said:
Justice cannot be meted out in a vacuum. We must separate emotion and give him some credit for his service.
Assistant District Attorney Nikki Baker Dotson stated:
It is that service that was abused and used against us. He was one of us in law enforcement appointed to serve and protect, but he chose only to protect himself. He continues to blame the victim and make excuses for everything.
Associate District Judge Norman D. Thygesen, speaking in regard to Wheeland’s years of service as a Haskell police officer spoke of a prominent figure of American history whose career included a commission to serve as commandant of West Point during the Revolutionary War era. In doing so Judge Thygesen pointed out:
He became much better known for what he did later in life. Benedict Arnold, the most notorious traitor in American history.
Judge Thygesen further stated:
I find this to be such a breach of the public trust that I cannot in good conscience order any other sentence than this.
Judge Thygesen followed the jury’s recommendation of 15 years on each count to be served consecutively and sentenced Wheeland to a total of 45 years in prison.
Under current Oklahoma law, Wheeland will be required to serve at least 85 percent of that sentence, which is over 38 years, before the 54-year-old felon becomes eligible for parole.
Following Wheeland’s sentencing the victim’s parents and the parents of three other girls who have made similar accusations against Wheeland expressed approval of the sentence and vowed to continue efforts to see justice served for alleged offenses against the other girls.
Currently another trial for Wheeland on charges alleging the sexual abuse of the three other girls is set for June of this year. Investigators have indicated that statements made by a fifth girl may result in additional charges against Wheeland.
Commentary and Opinion
Judge Thygesen’s relating Wheeland’s breach of trust to that of Benedict Arnold is both very fitting and revealing. We as a society intrust our police officers to not only uphold the law but to also abide by the law.
The jury found Robert Samuel Wheeland to have not only sexually abused a child, it also figuratively found him to have abused the trust society placed in him. In this regard, Wheeland is a traitor to not only society in general but to his fellow law enforcement officers in particular.
Those that sexually abuse children are among the most evil dregs of our society. We have every right to be outraged at all child rapists but when those sworn to uphold the law, to protect and to serve are themselves sexual predators that prey upon children we have and even greater cause for outrage.
Is 45 years a proper punishment for the crimes of which Robert Samuel Wheeland stands convicted? Personally I would say “yes”, only if the guilty was required to spend his prison term in the “general population” of the prison.
Reality is, that like most former police officers sentenced to prison, Wheeland will likely serve his term in “segregation”, another name for protective custody, and possibly in another state; this for his own protection.
Otherwise Wheeland just might come to know the pain, suffering, fear, intimidation and humiliation he inflicted upon his victim. And unfortunately we as a society do not wish to impose that upon anyone, even the likes of Robert Samuel Wheeland.
