The Oklahoma State Capital

STILLWATER, Okla. — Less than 24 hours after taking the oath of office, District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory announced Saturday that his office had filed a motion to dismiss every criminal count pending against Darrell Paul Dougherty in a controversial Payne County case stemming from a child-custody dispute.

Gregory was sworn in Friday morning before an overflow crowd at the Payne County Courthouse. By Saturday—while the courthouse was closed for the weekend—the newly elected prosecutor was already publicly reversing the Dougherty case.

The announcement also fulfilled Gregory’s Friday promise to issue multiple press releases during the first 96 hours of his administration.

In a signed statement posted to his newly established Facebook page, Gregory said he personally reviewed State of Oklahoma v. Darrell Dougherty, CF-2025-258, after assuming office.

“It has historically been the unwritten policy of the District Attorney’s Office under previous administrations that family disputes are best handled in family court, and not in the criminal justice system,” Gregory wrote.

Gregory said prosecutors have generally declined cases involving disputes between parents over visitation schedules. He concluded that Dougherty’s case should have been handled the same way.

“While swift prosecutorial action absolutely must take place when a child has been endangered or abused by any parent, such was not the case in this instance with Mr. Dougherty,” Gregory wrote.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, Gregory said, disagreements involving child custody and visitation belong before the assigned family court judge rather than in the criminal justice system.

The Payne County case was filed in August 2025 and included allegations of child stealing, engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses and obstructing law-enforcement officers. The alleged conduct occurred during a long-running custody conflict involving Dougherty and his son.

Dougherty’s bond was initially set at $1 million. Court records indicated it would be reduced to $250,000 following the child’s return to his mother’s custody.

Gregory used Saturday’s announcement to deliver a pointed criticism of bail being employed as punishment or leverage.

He said Oklahoma law and the U.S. Constitution require courts to consider primarily whether a defendant poses a flight risk or a danger to the public. Because defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted, Gregory said bond should not be set at a punitive level.

“Bond should only be used to ensure public safety … and to ensure a defendant’s consistent appearance in court,” Gregory wrote.

Dougherty had become a visible critic of Oklahoma’s child-welfare and judicial systems before his arrest. In 2024, KJRH reported on his allegations that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services had failed to properly investigate complaints involving his child. State officials disputed aspects of his account, and the underlying family dispute remained the subject of continuing litigation.

Dougherty later became a leader of a citizen group seeking a grand-jury investigation of the Payne County justice system. His supporters contended that the criminal charges filed against him represented retaliation for that advocacy.

Saturday’s dismissal announcement provided the first concrete example of the aggressive opening agenda Gregory outlined shortly after taking office.

In his initial statement Friday, Gregory pledged transparency, accountability and protection of constitutional rights. He promised to “make right what has been wrong,” advocate forcefully for crime victims and measure his success by the trust and respect his office earns from the people of Logan and Payne counties.

Gregory said his administration would use frequent press releases, press conferences and a new electronic open-records system to communicate with the public. He said future announcements would address criminal filings, plea agreements, trial verdicts, crime-prevention initiatives and investigations into the local justice system.

He also plans to announce a new crime task force, a special victims unit and proposed legislation allowing cameras in Oklahoma courtrooms.

Gregory disclosed that he had already removed certain employees from the District Attorney’s Office, calling the decisions difficult but necessary for the public and the interests of justice. He said announcements concerning new employees would follow.

At the same time, Gregory adopted an uncompromising tone toward violent offenders, warning that those who prey upon women and children would face the harshest punishment his office could obtain under the law.

“Nobody is above the law,” Gregory said in Friday’s statement.

“As the Payne County District Attorney’s Office transitions to new leadership under my administration, our office will continue to work to ensure the safety of the people, advocate for victims of crime, and safeguard equal justice under the law,” Gregory wrote Saturday, “all while ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability to the public we serve.”