Short recap-a few months back I got a phone call from someone that I had never spoken to before that point who told me that there were things about Ogletree that people didn't know, implying that everyone certainly would believe she's guilty if they just knew about some evidence not brought forward.. and he mentioned photos. I believed strongly and still do, that if there was physical evidence that would convict someone as a child molestor or a pedophile, it shouldn't be hidden but be brought forward to the police. Yet, curiously, the person I spoke with didn't want to do that. The impression I got was that he wanted to sow a seed of innuendo and gossip without having to pony up any evidence that what he said was true.  I am talking here only of my own phone conversation.

I believe strongly in our house that things of this nature should be brought to the police and, also , because of  friendship with the Ogletrees, I let that family know about the call. Ms Ogletree was understandably upset and called up the sheriff's department about it and asked them to call  me for what was told . I never received a phone call. And, as time went on, naturally, the details of what was said on that phone call become part of fading memory. I personally was a little disturbed that I wasn't called back but thought perhaps the department was too busy to check. However, I later heard that the other person was called, to get his side of the story, and he said he had not said that.  Why didn't the sheriff's department call me as well-did they assume I must be lying? That also is a little galling, but at this point, the main concern with me was whether, in fact, photos exist of Joelle Ogletree in sex acts with children. I find it offensive for someone I didn't even know to be telling me this-I mean, if he told *me* this, what does he tell people that he *does* know?

At any rate, Ms Ogletree asked for some prompt investigative action and got back a letter from the Sheriff's Department,which I am posting HERE. I have redacted the name of the official who wrote the letter. But in case you can't open PDF files, I'm also going to type what it says.

September 4, 2009

Dear Joelle Ogletree

In have spoken with the Johnson/Somervell County District Attorney's Office and have been assured that there are no photographs of you in their file with exception of a drivers license photograph. In addition, all information included in their file was made available to your defense attorney through their open file policy prior to the trial. I have also checked the Somervell County Sheriff's Office files and there are no photographs of you in the file with the exception of a dviers license photograph.

You stated that an individual was saying that photographs of you did exist. This department has not been able to confirm any evidence of the existence of the photographs of you.

If I can be of further assistance to you regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me at our offices.

So. As I write this, I feel again the same sense of indignity that someone would try to spread this type of innuendo without a shred of evidence- no one should take seriously comments that impugn another's reputation without proof.  I believe this letter sets to rest whether this type of whisper could be true. It's not.

UPDATING THIS to add the video clip of Ogletree talking about this at the school board meeting in October 2009