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WAGONER — Suspended Wagoner County Sheriff Bob Colbert pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Monday to criminal charges brought by a multicounty grand jury.
Colbert and his attorneys discussed the plea in Judge Darrell Shepherd’s chambers at the Wagoner County Courthouse before the plea was entered before 5 p.m.
The case was transferred to Muskogee County, where it was originally brought before Associate District Judge Norman Thygesen, who recused himself due to knowing an involved party. The case is now in front of Special Judge Robin W. Adair.
A hearing on whether to order Colbert’s removal from office has been tentatively set for the end of June before Wagoner County Judge Darrell Shepherd, said Colbert’s attorney, Michon Hastings-Hughes.
She said the state has a witness who must be brought from a federal prison before the case can continue.
Colbert and former deputy Jeff Gragg are accused of conspiring to bribe two people by taking $10,000 in exchange for not pursuing drug charges in December 2014.
Both men were charged April 1 with conspiracy to receive a bribe, receiving a bribe and committing extortion through threats. The first two charges include alternatives of conspiracy to commit extortion and extortion, respectively.
Both men face up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 if convicted.
