Tulsa County commissioners looking to replace Juvenile Division judge

TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa County commissioners are looking to replace the county's Juvenile Division judge after he asked for a change.

Judge Kevin Gray has served as head of the Juvenile Division since early 2023. The division operates the Family Center for Juvenile Justice.

FOX23 told you about the arrest of two former juvenile detention officers who are accused of sex crimes including rape and child sex trafficking .

There is also a lawsuit against the Juvenile Bureau by 30 former residents alleging rampant abuse.

County commissioners said the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) visited the center several times last May to interview Gray and others about the allegations.

On Monday, the OJA put the center on probation.

Right now, on top of his chief judge duties, Judge Gray oversees the Director of the Juvenile Detention Center.

In a letter sent to the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, he said he wants that to change.

The letter said in part:

“I ask the BOCC to alter the operational structure of the detention facility in one of two ways: either to contract the OJA for the operation and management of the detention facility, or to directly operate the detention facility through the employment by the BOCC of a manager of its choice."

He didn’t say he wants to step down as judge. He said he just doesn’t want to oversee the center on top of his chief judge duties.

However, in response to Judge Gray's request, county commissioners said they will look to replace him as the Juvenile Division Judge.

See Judge Gray's full letter to the BOCC here:

County commissioners plan to schedule a meeting with the presiding judge of the Judicial Administrative District to replace Gray.