Pubdate: Sat, 22 Sep 2001
Source: Daily Ardmoreite, The (OK)
Copyright: 2001 Daily Ardmoreite
Contact: http://ardmoreite.com/stText/sendLetter.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1574
Website: http://www.ardmoreite.com/
Author: Marsha Miller, News Editor

BUST NETS PORN, DRUGS, WEAPONS

AMidwest City businessman, who apparently planned to spend a long weekend 
on his houseboat moored at Lake Murray, is behind bars instead, facing 
pending child pornography, drugs and weapons charges.

Philip Lyon, 56, was arrested by park rangers and District Attorney Task 
Force agents Thursday afternoon when he attempted to board his $55,000-plus 
boat at the lake's marina. Lyon was taken into custody without incident. He 
was transported to the county jail where he was booked pending the filing 
of formal charges.

Chief Park Ranger Jon Nelson said an investigation into Lyon's activities 
began a week ago when he reported his houseboat had been burglarized. He 
named two teen-age boys, who were later identified as victims of Lyon's 
illicit activities, as potential suspects in the burglary.

"Ranger Jody Cornelison took the report. During the course of the 
interview, Ranger Cornelison developed information that indicated there may 
have been child pornography, narcotics and weapons on board the vessel," 
Nelson said. "At that time, we contacted the DATF."

Nelson said subsequent interviews with the pair of 16-year-old suspects 
turned victims confirmed suspicions Lyon was engaged in child pornography, 
narcotics and illicit weapons activities.

"We sought and obtained a search warrant which was executed Wednesday," 
Nelson said. "Items, some of which have already been verified as child 
pornography, were seized.

"We also found a variety of narcotics which we believe to be cocaine, 
methamphetamine, marijuana and magic mushrooms and guns."

Nelson said Lyons was allegedly using the drugs as a means of enticing his 
victims to do what he wanted.

Investigators Thursday said that Lyons was also in possession of two 
Oklahoma County Sheriff's deputy badges, as well as symbols attached to his 
car that indicated he was a law enforcement officer.

"He had credentials on his person indicating he was an Oklahoma County 
deputy, He also had told the victims he was a deputy," DATF Agent Gary 
Watson said.

Lyon's boat and his vehicle were seized as a result of the investigation. 
Also seized were thousands of dollars in cash, including a $10,000 bank 
roll found stashed with drug paraphernalia in his car.

Nelson praised the joint investigation that led to Lyon's arrest.

"This is a textbook example of how law enforcement agencies should work 
together," he said, adding members of the Ardmore Police Department 
Narcotics Division and Ratliff City Police Department aided in serving 
Wednesday's search warrant.

The investigation into Lyon, who is identified as the co-owner of Midwest 
Auto Auction, is continuing.

"It is a shame that from time to time we have to deal with people like 
this," Nelson said. "But rest assured the rangers are doing everything in 
our power to weed these types of individuals out and keep the park safe and 
secure."

What the local investigation uncovers may be only part of Lyon's troubles. 
Officers said Oklahoma City police may also launch an investigation into 
Lyon's activities in the metro area.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department has told The Daily 
Ardmoreite it is checking to see how Lyon acquired the deputy badges he was 
using to target victims.

Marsha Miller can be contacted at  or by calling 
(580) 221-6529.
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