SULPHUR, Okla. — A former employee at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf has been charged with multiple counts of second-degree rape and possession or promotion of child pornography, court records show.
Charges, removal from campus
Authorities in Murray County filed charges against Sean Thomas Sledd on Aug. 7. Court documents list two counts of second-degree rape and two counts of possession or promotion of child pornography. An arrest warrant was issued the same day.
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services confirmed that Sledd was removed from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf campus after the department was made aware of the investigation. Department officials said Sledd is no longer employed by the school.
“We want parents and the public alike to know the safety of our students is our top priority. For that reason, when we learned of the investigation, we removed Mr. Sledd from the campus. He is no longer employed by OSD,” said Mark Beutler, director of communications for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Role at the school
Sledd served as the head football coach at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. In December 2024, the school announced he had been named the National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Division 2 Coach of the Year.
What officials have said and what’s next
Department spokespeople emphasized student safety in their public statement and noted the employment separation after the investigation became known. Beyond that, officials have not released further details about the alleged incidents, victims, or the timeline of the alleged offenses. The arrest warrant issuance indicates criminal proceedings will move forward in Murray County.
- Charges filed: Two counts — second-degree rape.
- Additional counts: Two counts — possession or promotion of child pornography.
- Employment status: Removed from campus and no longer employed by OSD.
Charge summary
| Allegation | Count |
|---|---|
| Second-degree rape | 2 |
| Possession/promotion of child pornography | 2 |
Context and local impact
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf serves students who are deaf and hard of hearing, a group that state officials and advocates say requires heightened attention to safety and specialized support. Allegations involving staff at institutions that care for children and youth can prompt additional scrutiny from the public, stakeholders and oversight agencies. The department's swift removal of the employee underscores the gravity of the allegations and the agency's stated priority on protecting students.
Parents, guardians and members of the local community often look to the school and the Department of Rehabilitation Services for clear communication when incidents occur. At the same time, criminal investigations are typically controlled by law enforcement and prosecutors, who may withhold certain details while cases are active to protect victims and the integrity of the investigation.
How this develops
The arrest warrant and formal charges initiate the county criminal process. Murray County courts will handle any arraignment, pretrial proceedings and potential trial dates. Prosecutors will determine whether to pursue the charges as filed and whether additional evidence or charges may follow. Defense attorneys will have the opportunity to respond to the charges in court.
WE NEWS reached out to the Murray County court clerk and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services for additional comment and confirmation of court dates. Official statements from law enforcement or prosecutors beyond the department's comment have not been released publicly at this time.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is typically asked to contact local law enforcement agencies handling the case. Given the sensitive nature of the allegations, state and local authorities may also coordinate with victim services to provide support to affected students and families.
This report will be updated as additional verified information becomes available through court filings, law enforcement releases or statements from the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
