Stephens County Sheriff's Office - Oklahoma

09/01/2026

08/24/2026

Fire conditions have improved and it is now safe for residents to return. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Thank you to all agencies who assisted
in today’s incident.

08/24/2026

****The Stephens County Fairgrounds will be open as a shelter to residents affected by fire evacuations!****

Due to the current fire, the Town of Velma is being evacuated and please remain away from the area until further notice!!

08/24/2026

Due to the current fire, the Town of Velma is being evacuated and please remain away from the area until further notice!!
****The Stephens County Fairgrounds will be open as a shelter to residents affected by fire evacuations!

08/12/2026

07/21/2026

Press Release

SCAM ALERT: Urgent Notice Regarding Fraudulent Inmate Release Calls

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

The Stephens County Sheriff's Office is issuing a public safety alert regarding an active phone scam targeting the family members and known associates of recently incarcerated individuals.

How the Scam Works

Scammers are actively monitoring public inmate rosters to identify newly booked individuals. Using public records, scammers quickly locate and contact the inmate’s loved ones—often before the inmate has even made their first phone call from the facility.

The caller fraudulently claims to represent law enforcement, the jail, or a court official and demands immediate payment (often $900 or more) via mobile payment apps, wire transfer, or gift cards, claiming the funds are required to release the inmate on an ankle monitor or electronic monitoring.

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Official Notice & Safety Guidelines

- The Sheriff’s Office Will NEVER Call Demanding Money: Jail personnel, deputies, and court officers will never phone family members or contacts demanding immediate payment, wire transfers, peer-to-peer app payments (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, etc.), or gift cards for bail, release fees, or electronic monitoring devices.

- Official Bail & Release Procedures: All legitimate bail, bond, and release processes occur through formal court procedures or directly at the facility counter. Payment is never solicited over the phone by agency personnel.

What To Do If You Receive a Call

1. DO NOT PAY: Do not send money, purchase gift cards, or provide bank/credit card information.

2. HANG UP: Do not attempt to negotiate or gather information from the caller.

3. VERIFY DIRECTLY: Call the Stephens County Sheriff's Office main line directly at (580) 255-3131 to verify the status of your loved one or report the fraudulent attempt.

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Note to the Public: If you believe you have been a victim of this scam or have transferred funds to a fraudster, please file a report immediately with local law enforcement or contact our non-emergency dispatch line at (580) 255-3131.

05/29/2026

05/07/2026

❗SCAM ALERT❗
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is aware of scam phone calls and/or text messages from individuals falsely claiming to be law enforcement.
The Stephens County Sheriff's Office will not ask for money by phone. Please never give any information to anyone if you question or are in doubt.

04/14/2026

This week, we recognize the calm voices behind the chaos, the ones who answer every call, no matter the hour, no matter the situation.

During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we want to say THANK YOU to our communication officers. Your professionalism, quick thinking, and steady presence make all the difference when seconds matter most. You are the lifeline between the public and first responders, and you do not go unnoticed.

From coordinating life-saving responses to offering reassurance in someone’s worst moment, you are truly the first, first responders.

We appreciate your dedication, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to serving our community.

Thank you to our Communication Officers: Brittany Anderson, Brayley DeWitt, Tracy Foster, Terri Bruce, Kristen Bethany, TaMuriel Milton and Cali Rodriguez!