Representative Tim Turner

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District 15

Hi, I'm Tim Turner and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 15th District.

representative

News & Announcements

Feb 12, 2025
Recent Posts

Turner Praises Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics for Crackdown on Illegal Drug Operations

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, today commended the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBN) for its dedication to dismantling illegal drug operations across the state. Through relentless enforcement efforts, OBN has successfully executed numerous drug raids, significantly curbing the influence of domestic and transnational criminal organizations. Turner, a former Sheriff and a 22-year veteran law enforcement drug agent, applauds OBN Director Donnie Anderson for his commitment to combating organized crime and illegal drug activity in Oklahoma. “Director Anderson has made it clear—there will be ZERO tolerance for these criminal organizations in our state,” said Turner. "Our OBN agents are on the front lines daily, taking the fight directly to these criminal networks. Their efforts to target and dismantle both domestic and transnational organizations operating within our state are not only commendable but essential to preserving public safety.” In 2021 OBN created full-time Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) across Oklahoma to strategically target these criminal operations. The OBN MET Unit has served hundreds of Search and Arrest Warrants as part of numerous investigations over the past three years.   “By 2021, Oklahoma had over 8,400 licensed growers operating across Oklahoma,” said OBN Director Donnie Anderson. “We’ve linked many of these farms to transnational criminal groups from Mexico, China, Armenia, Russia and other countries. Additionally, our investigations into these organizations uncovered evidence of other crimes including labor trafficking, sex trafficking, homicides, fentanyl and precursor drug trafficking, underground gambling operations and world-wide money laundering.”  As a result, OBN registrations for growers dropped from 8,400 in 2021 to approximately 2,400 today. “Oklahoma’s marijuana program is no longer viewed nationally as the so-called ‘wild west of weed,’" said Director Anderson. "Oklahoma now has gained a proud reputation of having some of the most efficient and effective regulatory oversight and criminal enforcement of any medical marijuana state. The industry, itself, has expressed their support and appreciation for our combined efforts to protect the legitimate businesses and drive out the black-market.” House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, also praises OBN, emphasizing their recent impact in his district. “In just the past six months, three major raids have taken place in my district alone, leading to the shutdown of dangerous illegal operations," said Hilbert. "These raids send a clear message—Oklahoma will not be safe haven for organized crime.” Rep. Turner reaffirmed his commitment to supporting law enforcement and ensuring that Oklahoma remains a place where criminal organizations find no safe harbor. “We will continue to provide the necessary resources and legislative support to ensure OBN can carry out its mission effectively. This fight is far from over, but with the continued dedication of our law enforcement agencies, we will win.”

Jan 30, 2025
Recent Posts

Turner Disputes Prison Death Lawsuit

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep Tim Turner, R-Kinta, today refuted claims that the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) is at fault in the death of Marquel Ross, who was an inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at the time of his death. Turner, a former sheriff and a member of the House Public Safety Committee and the House Appropriations & Budget Public Safety Subcommittee, said he's been asked about the case and has looked into it. "I first want to say that it saddens me that this man lost his life, but I also find it disheartening that the true narrative is not being shared," Turner said. "All Oklahomans deserve to know that when a person is incarcerated, they will serve their sentence. It is apparent to me that while Mr. Ross was in custody for breaking the law, he continued to break the law as well as Oklahoma Department of Corrections rules. Because of his actions and the need to hold him accountable, his discharge date and the location of his incarceration had changed."  Turner said he learned that Ross was placed in DOC's custody in March 2023 and was found deceased Sept. 12, 2024. Records also show that while incarcerated in DOC facilities, Ross had eight misconduct violations, one of those for attempting to strike a corrections officer with a closed fist and another for spitting in the face of a corrections officer during transport.  DOC shows Ross also had a misconduct for possession of controlled dangerous substances. The department also reports Ross received multiple sanctions and misconducts causing him to lose time-reduction credits he had earned. Turner said Ross had been sent to multiple facilities as a result of his infractions, which ended with him being transferred to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary for confinement. Turner said he was told by DOC officials that just days prior to his death, Ross had confirmed his emergency contact information was correct. Turner said the DOC Inspector General's Office conducted an investigation into the death that resulted in the charge of Murder in the First Degree being filed against Ross' cellmate on Oct. 21, 2024. The charge was filed by District 18 District Attorney Chuck Sullivan.  "We can agree to disagree with the Department of Corrections' policy at times, but it’s time that we don’t just hold the department accountable, we hold the offenders accountable too," Turner said. "Corrections staff and officers deserve to know that we the citizens and legislators have their back just as we do an offender who becomes a victim while in custody. "If someone assaults staff and sells, possesses or uses drugs in prison, they haven’t learned their lesson, and they should be held accountable." Turner said if allegations against the Department of Corrections can be definitively proven, the department should be held responsible, but if verifiable evidence of wrongdoing cannot be produced, then the matter should be dropped.