Poffel's Case Summary

Background:
On June 7, 2018 at approximately 8:30 AM, I, Investigator James Poffel learned about a case that was assigned to Sgt. Burleson, where a 3-year-old victim, Mya Brown had been sexually abused by her Grandfather, Howard Rhea. The incident is believed to have occurred at Rhea’s residence, 707 S “K” St in Muskogee, OK 74403. I spoke with Sgt. Burleson about his investigation. Through staffing the case with him, I further learned that a well-child examination of the victim was performed at Kids’ Space CAC in Muskogee, OK. In that examination Mya made specific disclosures to the SANE Nurse, Meagan Sinclair, of sexual abuse that her “Papa”, Howard Rhea, has performed to her. Through her disclosure, Sgt. Burleson was able to draft a search warrant for Rhea’s residence. The search was to be performed at 707 S K St. and items we were looking for would be specific to the abuse disclosure, as well as any additional items of evidentiary value, such as possession of child pornography or electronic devices, which often times child sexual abusers will possess. …show more content…
At approximately 11:20 AM, I assisted in serving the search warrant at 707 S “K” St. We knocked on the door of the residence and announced our presence. A female subject answered the door, she was later identified as Rhea’s common-law wife, Christina Brown. There was another female subject inside the residence, she was identified as Rhea’s 17-year-old daughter. Both subjects were asked to step out of the residence and explained to that we had a search warrant for the residence in reference to the investigation. They complied and exited the residence. Myself and two other officers went into the residence to ensure it was secure and no other occupants were inside the residence. Once the residence was secure, I began taking photographs of the