Owasso officer charged with assault and battery

Charges were filed Friday against an Owasso police officer for assault and battery with a deadly weapon and reckless conduct with a firearm.

On June 17, Nowata County District Attorney Kevin Buchanan requested that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigate an allegation of police misconduct leveled against Owasso Police Officer Michael D. Denton. The investigation stems from a traffic stop where Denton is alleged to have hit Cody Matthews numerous times with the barrel and with the butt stock of a shotgun while Matthews was unable to resist officers.

OSBI agents interviewed other officers who helped arrest Matthews June 14. Dash camera and body camera video also helped develop the facts in the case.