By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer on Jul 13, 2013, at 2:28 AM??Updated on 7/13/13 at 6:53 AM
A Broken Arrow man pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with federal agents who served a search warrant at the Camelot Cancer Care in Tulsa in April.Michael Kevin McDonnough, 50, admitted in his plea agreement that on April 23 he "had physical contact" with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration agent who was trying to prevent him from removing his laptop computer from the center at 6804 S. Canton Ave.
McDonnough said he left the building with the computer and did not stop immediately when another FDA agent chased him.
"When I stopped, I turned and that FDA agent put me on the ground," McDonnough wrote in his plea agreement. "The FDA agent and two FBI agents handcuffed me."
McDonnough agreed in the document that his actions "impeded and interfered" with the execution of the search warrant.
He originally was charged in a felony complaint filed April 24 under a law that deals with people accused of forcibly resisting federal officers.
He was booked into the Tulsa Jail on April 23, but on April 25, the prosecution withdrew its motion to keep him in custody while the case is pending.
On May 8, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tulsa filed the misdemeanor charge to which McDonnough pleaded guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wilson has said a further review of the facts led prosecutors to decide that a misdemeanor charge was more appropriate.
McDonnough is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 15 by U.S. Magistrate Frank McCarthy.
Assistant Federal Public Defender Martin Hart estimated that sentencing guidelines could call for McDonnough to serve eight to 12 months in custody, although probation and home detention also are possible.
The prosecution recommended probation, but McCarthy does not have to follow that recommendation.
Camelot Cancer Care, which closed its doors in the wake of the search, had advertised natural and alternative cancer treatments that the FDA says have not been shown to be effective.
The FDA was looking for the banned drug laetrile during the search, court documents say.
David Harper 918-581-8359
david.harper@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: BA resident pleads guilty to interfering in clinic search
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