A.G. Mike Hunter files charges against teacher for attempted sex with minor, urges research before supporting charities


OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter has filed charges on Jeramy Gregston after an undercover investigation by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) led to his arrest on allegations he was soliciting sex from a minor.
Gregston, 44, was charged in Oklahoma County last week with one count of attempting to engage in child prostitution and one count of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor by use of technology.

Attorney General Hunter applauded OBN investigators for their work throughout the investigation and for apprehending the suspect.
“I appreciate our law enforcement partners at the OBN for their work that led to these charges,” Attorney General Hunter said. “These are disturbing allegations and crimes against children are intolerable. My office remains dedicated to protecting Oklahoma’s children by assisting and partnering with fellow law enforcement agencies to ensure those who commit these types of crimes are held to account.”

According to OBN’s affidavit, Gregston is a teacher at Deer Creek High School. After learning he was interested in having sex with a minor, an undercover OBN agent posed as a 17-year-old girl. Gregston agreed to have sex with the undercover agent for $150 at a specific location. When he arrived at the location, he was taken into custody. 
When interviewed at OBN headquarters in Oklahoma City, Gregston confessed to speaking with a female, who he believed to be 17-years-old and setting up the sex date.
The charges filed last week are in conjunction with OBN’s arrest of Gregston on March 30.
If convicted, he faces fines and prison time. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty. 
For a copy of the charges filed and a copy of OBN’s affidavit, filed March 30, click here: https://bit.ly/2F4e2cy.

Oklahomans urged to research charities before donating

In other news, the Attorney General’s office in Oklahoma City is urging Oklahomans to use caution and to carefully research charities before making a donation to benefit individuals impacted by the recent wildfires.
Attorney General Hunter said assistance through charitable giving and donations provided by Oklahomans after a disaster is crucial in the course of recovery.

“By nature, Oklahomans are giving people who want nothing more than to help their neighbors in a time of need,” Attorney General Hunter said.
“Unfortunately, fraud inevitably follows disasters, which is why I am urging Oklahomans to use caution and research organizations and charities claiming to be providing aid to victims of wildfires. By thoroughly vetting each organization, or by only giving to familiar charities, individuals looking to help can avoid becoming victims themselves.”
Charities looking to solicit donations in Oklahoma must be registered through the Secretary of State. A list of registered charities is available on the Secretary of State’s website at: www.sos.ok.gov/charity/. 

Additionally, the attorney general’s consumer protection unit offers the following guidelines to avoid becoming a victim of charity fraud:
    •  Do not give through social media or crowdfunding websites. These are often unregulated and difficult to track;
    •  Do not give cash, credit or debit card numbers;
    •  Write a check payable to the charity, not an individual;
    •  Be wary of charities that seem to have been formed specifically in response to a particular disaster;
    •  Ask for written information regarding the solicitor’s charity, including the name, mission, administrative c osts and how your donation will be used;
    •  Listen carefully to the name of the purported charity. Scam artists often claim to be associated with a charity that mimics the name of a well-known, reputable organization.

For more information and tips on how to select a charity, visit www.charitywatch.org. To report suspected fraud or scams, contact the attorney general’s consumer protection unit at (405) 521-2029, local law enforcement or the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721.

Thanks to this weekend’s rains, the immediate fire danger has lessened significantly across Oklahoma, including in the western counties. 
For a map that updated information range and forest fire danger, go here: (http://www.mesonet.org/index.php/agriculture/map/range_forest/fire_danger/1_hr_dead_fuel_moisture).

NOTE: This story is adapted from press releases distributed by the state attorney general’s office.