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news
February 7, 2024
Alleged stalker from Checotah ordered to stay away from 3 area residents
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR,

Including Eufaula Municipal Judge and two others

Special District Judge Brian McLaughlin last week ordered Checotah resident Christopher Bradley to stay away from three people who have accused him of stalking and harassment.

After hearing testimony during a protective order hearing on Jan. 30, McLaughlin said Bradley was to stay away from the three for two years.

Those seeking the protective orders were Eufaula attorney Teresa Pratt, who also is the Municipal Judge for Eufaula; her son, Paul Dillon Pratt, an attorney from Checotah; and Checotah resident Tommy Gene Combs.

According to court documents, Bradley is a cousin of the three individuals.

In a petition for a protective order to McIntosh County District Court, Teresa Pratt said Bradley started texting and calling her after their cousin Billy Dean Martin passed away in April 2023.

“He continues to post signs on the Martin property, which I am probating as the Personal Representative. I have forbidden him to trespass on the property and to place notes in the mailbox on the property.

“His recent texts have caused me some fear, as he has made reference to his ability to accurately shoot from 700 yards away. Three cows and two of our dogs on the ranch have been shot since Billy Dean Martin’s death,” Teresa Pratt wrote in the petition for a protective order.

Paul Dillon Pratt stated in his petition, “There has been an ongoing pattern of harassment and stalking. Most recently on Jan. 12, 2024. The defendant came to my residence in his vehicle and placed a handwritten note in my mailbox which made threats and demanded that I leave the property. (He does not own the property).

“He shouted from the vehicle as well. All this occurred at 7:05 p.m. and is on video and the letter is in my possession. He came onto the property during this event and there is a ‘no trespass’ against him.

“Around December 19th, two of my ranch dogs turned up shot with .22 caliber rounds.

“Around the same time, he told my mother, Teresa Pratt, he could hit his shot from 700 yards. Prior to that, he called my place of employment several times, once leaving a threatening and harassing voicemail, a copy of which I have in my possession.

“My spouse and my children were in the house at the time he came by my residence. Myself and my spouse and children have repeatedly seen a small drone hovering above the house and over the land. Once we spotted it, it flew north down the section line road in the general direction of the defendant’s residence. He has also posted threatening signs on the gates of the property.”

Tommy Combs’ petition states: “The defendant came to my house last week and started making statements and allegations that my father and others had murdered the defendant’s grandfather. Then, on Jan. 15, 2024, the defendant confronted me on Gentry Street in Checotah and made more unfounded allegations.

“On Jan. 17, the defendant contacted me and threatened to “whip my a…” I am 78 years old and have COPD and asthma and am in fear of the defendant.

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