Former Medical Examiner Investigator to Stand Trial on Sexual Battery Charge

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The former chief investigator at the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office accused of inappropriately touching a fellow employee will stand trial on a sexual battery charge.

Kevin Rowland was bound over for trial in Oklahoma County District Court during a preliminary hearing on Friday.

Rowland is accused of touching a medical examiner employee in a "lewd and lascivious manner" and making a sexually explicit statement in reference to the employee's body.  The alleged battery occurred in December 2007.

Rowland's attorney Scott Adams said the charges are exaggerated and Rowland was just joking with his coworkers.

"Who in the world doesn't go around and joke with other people?" Adams said. "He reaches over to another male employee and does what we commonly call a 'titty twister.'"

Rowland also faces a Dec. 17 preliminary hearing in Tulsa County District Court on four additional counts of sexual battery.  A grand jury indictment unsealed July 23 in Tulsa County District Court accused Rowland of touching the breasts and buttocks of female employees and making inappropriate and sexually suggestive statements.