Man Impersonating Law Enforcement on Social Media Prompts Warning From Oklahoma Sheriff

By Cherokee 411 Staff - Cherokee 411

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Okla. (Dec. 12, 2025) — Cherokee County law enforcement officials are warning the public after a man using social media allegedly misled people into believing he was a current law enforcement officer, prompting complaints from residents across multiple states, authorities said.

Photo: News on 6 Tulsa

Sheriff Jason Chennault said the situation began in October when a local political organization reported receiving threatening messages from an individual who identified himself online as a Cherokee County deputy. The sheriff’s office quickly determined the person, identified as Bart Alsbrook, was not employed by the department at any time.

“We received a name, looked into it, and discovered he is not one of our deputies , was not then, and is not now,” Chennault said in a televised statement.

Complainants have contacted the sheriff’s office over the past several months from as far away as Texas, Chennault said, including reports that some felt threatened by alleged conduct connected to the man’s social media presence.

The confusion appears linked to the suspect’s social media profile, which features images of him in what appears to be a police uniform beside a patrol vehicle and text implying ties to Tahlequah, Okla. The sheriff’s office says the online content has led some people to believe Alsbrook was a law enforcement officer, even though he never held such a position.

While Alsbrook has not publicly admitted to falsely claiming to be a Cherokee County deputy, Chennault said the misleading online presentation has eroded community trust and prompted the warning. “It’s frustrating … it takes away from our credibility,” Chennault added.

Local residents expressed concern about the incident. Brianna Thompson, a Cherokee County resident, told reporters community members were discussing the situation online. “This is a small town and you will get found out very easily,” Thompson said. “Our online sleuths here are … amazing and we will find you out.”

At this point, authorities said the actions linked to the suspect have not met the threshold for criminal charges under Oklahoma law. The sheriff encouraged anyone who feels threatened to contact local law enforcement.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also deployed social media posts to clarify that the man is not affiliated with their department, warning residents against engaging with potentially fraudulent accounts.

Officials say they are monitoring complaints and intend to work with other agencies if the conduct meets criteria for criminal impersonation or related offenses.

Original story posted by 2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa