Henryetta families push for convicted child sex offenders to serve full sentence; bill advances in House
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)- It’s been nearly a year since a convicted sex offender murdered five kids and his wife. To prevent others from dealing with the same heartache, the victims’ families are pushing for a change in law.
May 1 marks a gruesome day in Henryetta.
Convicted rapist, Jesse McFadden, killed Brittany Brewer (16), Ivy Webster (14), Tiffany Guess (13), Michael Mayo (15), Rylee Allen (17), Holly Guess (35). McFadden reportedly killed himself afterwards.
Autopsy reports show each of the six victims were shot in the head.
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When the families weren’t getting answers, Ivy’s family launched their own search for answers inside McFadden’s home.
With the permission of the property owner, Ivy’s family, along with News 4 went through the home where a mountain of potential evidence was uncovered.
News 4 will describe everything that was seen and found while in the house, but a warning: some of it is disturbing.
In the living room, there was a twin size bed laying on the floor. It had a pink patterned blanket laying across it.
In the corner of the room, there were desktop monitors and a computer tower still hooked up to it. Two additional computer towers and four desktop monitors were found throughout the house.
Next to the living room was a bedroom where the bed frame had restraints bolted into it. The restraints still had chains attached.
There were also sex and bondage devices throughout the room.
About 10 feet away in the kitchen, there was another restraint bolted into the counter. There were fresh locks and chains still attached to that one as well.
The kitchen was filled with trash and sticky insect pads full of roaches.
A human dog collar, handcuffs, drug paraphernalia, and weapons were sitting out in the laundry room.
There was a syringe still filled with a dark colored substance sitting in the room.
There was also a check signed by one of the deceased victims, Holly Guess, for a local storage unit located at “U Lock Storage.” There was even a unit number written on the check.
The Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office was called back to the home to retrieve the items, and within 24 hours of News 4 airing the findings, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation took over the case.
Ivy’s dad, Justin Webster has previously told KFOR he feels as if the investigation was “botched.”
Additionally, he said McFadden should’ve remained in jail especially with a pending child pornography case. McFadden was set to appear in court in that case the day his victims’ bodies were found.
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McFadden was convicted of first degree rape in 2003. Under current Oklahoma law, he was required to complete at least 85% of his sentence which was 17 years.
McFadden was released in 2020.
Now, the Webster family, along with Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, are pushing to change the sentencing for convicted child sex offenders.
“There were a lot of breakdowns within the system that created an environment that was just like the perfect storm,” said Rep. Fetgatter.
House Bill 3992 addresses five crimes:
First degree rape
Child sexual abuse
Child Pornography/Aggravated Child Pornography
Child Prostitution
Human Trafficking
Instead of offenders having to complete a required 85% of their sentence, it would be the full 100%. The sentence would be no less than life without parole.
“I don’t want to say I’m excited yet. I’m excited, but I’m motivated. Obviously, there’s traction and we’re getting support from everywhere,” said Webster on Wednesday. “Read our story. Read what happened. Understand that this could happen again at any moment.”
No earned credit deductions shall be credited or recorded for any inmate serving a life imprisonment as well, according to HB3992.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections previously told KFOR McFadden was a “Level 4 inmate.”
“State statute dictates ODOC base an inmate’s incarceration on a level system that determines custody level, job status, program status and privileges. The level system (OP-060107) encompasses multiple criteria including behavior and attitude, program and education assignments, and general hygiene,” said the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Acting Chief of Communications, Kay Thompson.
The ODOC systems of incarceration also states for a level four inmate, McFadden had to have maintained an “outstanding attitude and relationship with staff and other inmates.”
“McFadden was a Level 4 inmate for most of his incarceration, however, he was assigned to Level 1 in January 2017 following his misconduct occurring in December 2016,” stated Thompson.
His inmate status was downgraded because McFadden was caught with a contraband cellphone officials say he used to sext a teenage girl.
According to court documents, the photos of the victim appeared to be in “different stages of undress.”
The conversations between McFadden and the victim also reflected “sexually-themed conversations.”
The phone also contained explicit photos of McFadden, court records show.
McFadden was charged in 2017 with a count of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology and a count of child pornography. Both are considered felonies.
McFadden returned to Level 4 status only five months later in June 2017.
“I’d say it’s something that’s been long due and it’s time we start recognizing that this is a huge problem. As technological advances with social media and ways to connect to young kids blow up even bigger, it creates those avenues for those sex offenders to be able to reach those kids,” said Webster. “Now we’re trying to put laws out there that will help quell that storm a little bit and get some of these pedophiles or sex offenders off the streets and keep our kids safe.”
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HB3992 unanimously passed a committee Wednesday morning and is now on its way to the House floor for consideration.
Webster said he gives all the glory to God and his daughter, Ivy.
“I believe she is still here. It’s not if she could see it. She’s seeing it. Her and God are the ones behind this, pushing this and making it happen. We’re just here as an earthly form on Earth, pushing it forward. We want to be able to do this with her and God directing us and giving us guidance and strength and the directions we have to go. I feel God’s power is heavy on all these legislators’ hearts. We’re going to make sure this passes,” he explained.
Webster said change doesn’t stop in Oklahoma. He plans to pursue change on a federal level.
“We’re going to keep fighting,” added Webster.
The ‘Knights Law 2.0‘ covers the federal level and is available online to sign.
“This is our legacy now as our family and as that little town in Henryetta. I’m going to make sure it’s the heart and soul of protecting kids in this country,” stated Webster.
When the bill will be heard on the House floor hasn’t been set as of now.
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