OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma County jail is under new leadership after the Criminal Justice Authority (the Jail Trust) accepted the resignation of Interim Chief Executive Officer Paul Timmons on Monday and terminated Chief Operating Officer Greg Couch following an executive-session discussion of “threats of workplace violence.”
During the same meeting, the Trust named Tim Kimrey interim jail administrator. Kimrey previously served as the jail’s Training Director, overseeing the Detention Officer Academy, recruiting, in-service training, and background checks. He is a Navy veteran and has served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Steven Buck, chair of the Criminal Justice Authority, released a public statement:
“Today, the Trust unanimously accepted the verbal resignation of Interim Chief Executive Officer Paul Timmons, as outlined in agenda item 14 of the meeting. In addition, the Trust voted to terminate Chief Operating Officer Greg Couch, in reference to agenda item 18. The Trust has appointed Tim Kimrey as Interim Jail Administrator, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead the detention center moving forward.”
Agenda item 18 refers to confidential communications between the board and its attorney about a pending investigation into a threat of workplace violence that allegedly occurred on August 14, 2025. The board determined that public disclosure would “seriously impair the ability of the public body to process the claim or conduct the investigation in the public interest.”
Background: changeover from sheriff to jail trust
Since county leaders voted to shift control of the jail from the Sheriff’s Office to the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, Free Press has followed the transition closely. Coverage has tracked the trust’s formation, leadership changes, and the public scrutiny it has faced over jail conditions and accountability.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Creation of the Jail Trust | The Board of Oklahoma County Commissioners voted unanimously in May 2019 to create the Jail Trust (officially the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority). (freepressokc.com) |
| Transition period | After its formation, the Trust slowly built its administration. A separate jail administrator position was approved in late August 2019. Sheriff P. D. Taylor continued operating the jail under agreements while the Trust prepared. (freepressokc.com) |
| Formal takeover date | The Trust took over operations from the Sheriff on July 1, 2020. (freepressokc.com) |
| Initial CEO | The Trust hired its first CEO, Greg Williams, around early January 2020, to prepare for the takeover and serve as administrator. (freepressokc.com) |
| Resignation of CEO Greg Williams | Greg Williams officially tendered his resignation during an executive session of the Jail Trust on December 5, 2022. Under a separation agreement, he remained in role for 45 additional days (through Jan. 19, 2023) to assist transition; his salary was to be paid through the end of the fiscal year. (freepressokc.com) |
| Key criticisms and pressure | The Trust has faced criticism over detainee deaths, staffing shortages, and failed health inspections since assuming control. In March 2023, a state grand jury recommended the Trust “self-terminate” and return control to the Sheriff, citing accountability concerns. (freepressokc.com) |
| Recent leadership changes | Brandi Garner, who became CEO in May 2023, resigned effective February 2025. (freepressokc.com) Also, Sue Ann Arnall, a founding member of the Trust, resigned in protest in early 2024 over funding and operational concerns. (freepressokc.com) |
We will continue to follow developments as the Jail Trust struggles to find solutions to problems that have proven to be stubborn for years.
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.
