A former Oklahoma City police officer was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually and physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend in 2024.
A Canadian County judge sentenced Shamar Kitchens on Tuesday, Oct. 27, after the court heard victim impact statements, KOCO reported. The sentencing followed a several-day trial in September in which a jury convicted Kitchens on seven counts.
Those counts included first-degree rape by instrumentation, first-degree rape by force or fear, forcible sodomy, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, feloniously pointing a firearm and domestic assault and battery, according to OKC Fox. The jury found Kitchens guilty on six felonies and one misdemeanor.
Jury recommended 69 years
The jury had recommended a total of 69 years in prison across the seven counts, with sentences ranging from one to 20 years per count, KOCO reported. The judge grouped the charges into two sets to be served concurrently within each group, with the two groups running consecutively.
Sentences within each group run concurrently, producing terms of five years and 20 years. The groups run consecutively.
Kitchens was also ordered to pay $700 in victim compensation.
What prosecutors alleged
Prosecutors said the assault occurred on Nov. 30, 2024, when Kitchens drove the victim to a rural area of Canadian County, held her at gunpoint and threatened to kill her, according to OKC Fox. He then sexually and physically assaulted her, prosecutors alleged.
The victim called police after the incident. She had visible injuries, according to Oklahoma City Police Department Capt. Valerie Littlejohn, who described the case in 2024.
"The officer had pulled over and at some point in time sexually assaulted the victim, as well as hit her," Littlejohn said.
Kitchens was an active Oklahoma City police officer at the time of his arrest. He had joined the department in January 2023.
Investigation and conviction
The Oklahoma City Police Department led the investigation with assistance from the Yukon Police Department and the FBI, according to Canadian County District Attorney Tommy Humphries.
After a three-day trial in September, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all seven counts. Kitchens testified during the proceedings, KOCO reported.
Humphries credited the investigative team and the victim after the conviction.
Kitchens posted bond and was released shortly after his November 2024 arrest.
Residents with information about crimes involving law enforcement officers can contact the Oklahoma City Police Department or the Canadian County District Attorney's Office.
