Charges Filed Against Cleveland County Sex Abuse Trio

The three people from Cleveland County accused of child sex crimes are now in the Cleveland County jail and all face charges related to the shocking crime. But one of them is only being charged with a misdemeanor.

Friday, September 7th 2012, 8:25 pm

By: News 9

Charges Filed Against Cleveland County Sex Abuse Trio

Joe Siford, his wife Danyale Siford, and Michelle Walker all face charges related to the shocking crime, but while Joe and Michelle are facing felony counts, Joe's wife is getting off with a misdemeanor. Even though court documents show she knew what was happening, and was even present during some of the sexual encounters.

The three were captured in Washington state late last week after they tried to avoid arrest. They are all accused of performing sex acts with and around a 13-year-old girl.

"It's horrible conduct," says Greg Mashburn, the Cleveland County DA.

So far, his office has charged Joe Siford and Michelle Walker with several felony counts of rape, attempted rape, and lewd acts with a child. But Siford's wife is only facing a misdemeanor count for failing to report child abuse.

"We looked at maybe filing lewd acts for that," explained Mashburn. "However, lewd acts requires you to force or require that child to look upon while you do it. She wasn't forcing or requiring the child to do that."

Court papers allege the three met on a swingers' website called Party Friends. And that Walker introduced the married couple to the 13-year-old girl, who was a close family friend. Many of those sexual encounters happened inside Walker's home, located on Cherry St. in Noble and had occurred from September 2011 to July 2012.

The Cleveland County DA tells News 9 the investigation is still on going and more charges may be filed. Joe Siford and Michelle Walker are being held on a $500,000 bond. Danyale Siford is being held on a $10,000 bond.