A Moore church employee has been ordered to spend 50 years in prison after a Cleveland County jury convicted him on multiple counts of lewd acts with a minor, in a case that started with allegations the abuse happened on church grounds and in vehicles used to transport the child.
According to News 9, the defendant, identified in court records as Walter Friesner, was sentenced Wednesday in Cleveland County District Court. Court filings show that on Feb. 6, 2026, Friesner was found guilty on four counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child under 16, and the judge imposed a 50‑year prison term, with parole rules that significantly delay any chance of release.
Friesner was arrested in February 2024 while working as the kitchen manager at Moore First United Methodist Church, according to earlier local reporting. That initial coverage reported allegations that the abuse occurred between mid‑2021 and 2022 and included incidents in which the victim was allegedly forced to expose parts of her body and touch the suspect. Those early details were outlined by KOCO.
Moore police said they first received information about inappropriate behavior in August 2023 and then opened a months‑long investigation that included search warrants for electronic evidence. "We are currently working to identify any additional victims," the Moore Police Department wrote in a press release at the time, adding that officers took Friesner into custody at the church where he worked. The department's release is available online from the Moore Police Department.
Sentence, Parole And What Comes Next
Prosecutors and court records cited by News 9 say Friesner will be eligible for parole only after serving 85% of his 50‑year sentence, which works out to roughly 42 years and six months. Under Oklahoma law, lewd or indecent acts with a child are prosecuted under statutes that carry long prison ranges and require sex‑offender registration; see 21 O.S. § 1123 for the provision that defines lewd or indecent proposals or acts with a child. The Cleveland County case file and sentencing documents spell out the terms the judge imposed and the parole conditions that apply.
Investigators say the case remains open and have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers of Moore and Cleveland County. Moore First United Methodist Church previously confirmed that Friesner was suspended from his duties when he was arrested and said church leaders were praying for those affected, according to earlier reports. As the legal fallout continues, prosecutors and detectives say they plan to follow up on any leads that might identify additional victims.
