A 47-year-old Oklahoma City man is back behind bars after authorities say he took his anger over a protective order straight to social media, posting explicit death threats aimed at an Oklahoma County sheriff’s deputy and top brass.
According to KFOR, the trouble started after a deputy served a protective order on the man at his northwest Oklahoma City home. The order had been filed by an employee of the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission. Investigators say the online posts that followed were directed at Sheriff Tommie Johnson III and deputies in general, and deputies moved in to arrest the suspect, identified as Cory Charlston, on suspicion of making death threats while the case is reviewed for possible charges.
Charlston is no stranger to violent allegations. As reported by the Federal Way Mirror, he was convicted of murder as a teenager in Washington state, and in 2019 he pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a mayor, the mayor’s children and police officers. Local officials say that history made the latest social media posts especially alarming for both deputies and prosecutors.
Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Aaron Brilbeck told KFOR the threats were “particularly troubling” given that deputies have been ambushed in similar situations in the past. “We take any threats like that very seriously. We understand you’re upset, but you can’t just go off and start threatening police officers,” Brilbeck said. Investigators say they are gathering the posts and other digital evidence for the district attorney’s office to review.
Protective Orders And Alleged Harassment
The protective order that sparked the latest investigation was filed by an employee of the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission, who alleges Charlston sent harassing emails and photos of their home. The sheriff’s office says Charlston currently has two protective orders in Oklahoma, and investigators are looking at whether additional stalking or harassment charges might be appropriate. Prosecutors will comb through the evidence before deciding what formal charges, if any, to file.
Booking And Next Steps
Charlston was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on May 12. Online booking listings show his bond set at $25,000, with listed counts that include an alleged plan to perform an act of violence and a felony computer crimes violation, although those third-party listings caution that records may be incomplete. Court filings will ultimately spell out the formal charges and set an arraignment date, and the sheriff’s office says investigators have already turned their case file over to the district attorney for review.
