Former Judge’s Alleged Sexual Misconduct Could Overturn Convicted Drug Dealer’s Sentence

A new trial could be on the horizon for a man sentenced to 23 years in prison. Aaron Fort and his attorneys are appealing his drug conviction made in former Oklahoma County Judge Tim Henderson’s courtroom two years ago. Henderson has since resigned due to sexual misconduct allegations made by female state prosecutors. 

Monday, January 24th 2022, 5:15 pm



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A new trial could be on the horizon for a man sentenced to 23 years in prison. Aaron Fort and his attorneys are appealing his drug conviction made in former Oklahoma County Judge Tim Henderson’s courtroom two years ago. Henderson has since resigned due to sexual misconduct allegations made by female state prosecutors. 

Fort appeared in court on Monday and his attorneys told the judge his due process rights for a fair trial violated in Henderson’s courtroom. Prosecutors agreed Fort should get a new trial and added they were, “shocked by the facts of the sexual misconduct case.” 

Last April, Henderson suddenly resigned from the bench in Oklahoma County. Since then, three state prosecutors have come forward alleging Henderson sexually assaulted and abused them. 

One of the victims was the lead prosecutor in Fort's drug trafficking trial. 

Fort's appeal attorneys presented evidence in court on Monday of the sexual relationship. They did not call witnesses, but court documents given to the judge outlined the victim and the former judge's affair. 

The female prosecutor said in early 2020 her interactions with Henderson turned from appropriate to inappropriate touching. She said Henderson gave her his personal email and that was how they communicated. The prosecutor claimed Henderson sexually abused her until March of last year and she did not tell anyone of the affair prior to the investigation. 

Henderson said the sexual relationship was consensual and he never communicated with the prosecutor on Fort's case outside of the courtroom. He claimed their relationship started with flirtatious texts from the alleged victim. Henderson said they even engaged in sexual relations in his office after hours. 

The judge over the evidentiary hearing will make a ruling in about a month. It will then be up to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to grant Fort a new trial. 

The OSBI is investigating the allegations made against Henderson. He has not been criminally charged.  


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