Former Woodward detective pleads guilty to child sex abuse

On October 24, 2018, Patrick Gandara of Woodward pled guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child in the Second Judicial District of Oklahoma for Ellis County. He agreed to serve two 35 year sentences in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, serve three years post-imprisonment probation, register as a Level 3 Sex Offender, and pay fines and court costs. In late July of 2017 the Ellis County District Attorney requested the OSBI to conduct an investigation into the allegations. In early August of 2017 OSBI Agents arrested Gandara for his crimes. Gandara was a Woodward Police Detective at the time of his arrest and the allegations coming to light.