Local attorney arraigned
By Andy Gates - Argus Observer
Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:11 PM PDT
VAL - After a weekend in jail, Ontario-based attorney Thomas Kelly Okai slouched with his head hung low during an arraignment Monday afternoon in Malheur County Circuit Court for charges involving meth, theft and contempt of court.
Okai was arraigned on charges of first degree theft, four counts of second degree theft, contempt of court, 10 counts of negotiating a bad check and three counts of possession of methamphetamine. A previous charge of possession of a controlled substance, OxyContin, is pending against him.
Okai was arrested Friday at his Ontario home on a warrant for the charges involving theft and bad checks. His home was searched later that night on another warrant after officers at the Malheur County Jail located suspected methamphetamine in his pocket, police said.
According to the indictment, Okai allegedly took $750 from Sunset Lanes bowling alley in Ontario between Jan. 25 and Feb. 7. Also, according to the indictment, Okai took $50 or more from the bowling alley on four occasions in February.
Okai is also charged with four counts of negotiating a bad check - which are misdemeanors - for issuing checks between January and February that he allegedly knew would not be honored by the bank from which they were drawn, court records show.
Malheur County District Attorney Dan Norris told a Pendleton judge via telephone Monday that Okai did not look good in court.
“He's in as bad a shape as I've seen for any defendant,” Norris said of Okai.
Okai's visually impaired lawyer, Bill Van Atta, provided no direct response to the assertion concerning Okai's physical appearance.
However, Van Atta asked Judge Ronald J. Pahl if Okai could be released to a treatment facility and report to Malheur County Community Corrections, rather than remain in jail.
Van Atta told Pahl that Okai is experiencing anxiety, with concentration difficulties, and breathing problems.
The request was denied, though, and Pahl ordered Okai to remain in jail on a bond of $19,000 cash.
Norris told the court that he does not know if Okai took advantage of treatment following his October arrest for felony possession of a controlled substance.
Okai was previously arrested Oct. 3, 2006, at his Ontario office for illegal possession of a controlled substance, OxyContin, following an undercover law enforcement operation. He is slated to go to trial for that case July 2.
Okai also faces a contempt of court charge, Norris said, because as a stipulation of his prior release agreement, Okai was to obey all laws, which was allegedly done in light of the recent charges.
Okai waived a reading of his charges Monday, and Van Atta told the court that as an attorney, Okai understands his basic rights.
Okai is listed as an active member of the Oregon State Bar, according to the bar's Web site.
Norris told the court Okai had been practicing law recently after his October arrest.
Van Atta told the court that Okai filed a notice of appearance for one traffic-related case in the justice court.
Okai's plea date was set for May 23 at 8:45 a.m. in Malheur County Circuit Court.
