Topline: State Rep. Ty Burns, a Republican from Oklahoma, has resigned from the legislature after pleading guilty to assault charges.
Published: September 6, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Oklahoma State Representative Ty Burns (via Oklahoma State Legislature)
PAWNEE, OK — Oklahoma state Rep. Ty Burns, a Republican, resigned from office after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges involving his wife and 16-year-old daughter.
According to a statement from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office, Pawnee County District Judge Patrick Pickerill ordered Burns to a one-year suspended term. The sentence requires Burns to complete a Batterers Intervention Program, and he will not go to prison.
The attorney general’s office took over the case after Pawnee County District Attorney Mike Fisher recused himself from prosecuting Burns. The charges were filed in November 2024 and April 2025.
According to The Oklahoman, Burns stated he was stepping down for the sake of his constituents and his family. He said he takes full responsibility for his actions and is going to counseling with his family. He mentioned receiving treatment for issues from his military service that he had “long ignored.” The lawmaker’s resignation becomes effective Oct. 1.
The charges stemmed from two incidents, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
The first event took place on April 24, 2025, when Burns and his wife reportedly had an argument. The affidavit states the argument escalated and Burns went to a home in Morrison where his wife and children were located. Burns was “verbally abusive” toward his wife and “pushing her around.” Another adult woman was also in the home.
When the other woman tried to leave the home in a van with two young children, Burns ran out and began “shaking the van and pushing it.” He screamed at the woman, “Get the f— out of here. I hate you. You are the cause of all these problems.” He also told her she would be sorry if she stayed and that he would hurt her.
The affidavit states that as the van drove away, Burns got in his “big truck” and started chasing it. The document says he came “really close to the van” and “got to the side of the van and tried to make [the woman] weave off of the road.”
Burns was able to overtake the van and blocked it from moving forward, then demanded his daughter get out of the car. He screamed, “I’m goin’ to make sure you go down,” and “I’m going to kill you,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also references a recording of the incident from inside the van, where an occupant can be heard saying, “He is literally following us in the truck, he is chasing us, he is literally about to kill us.”
The driver of the van told investigators she believed she hurt her back and hit her head when Burns ran them off the road.
Burns’ wife also told investigators about a separate event that took place during Thanksgiving 2024. She said he became upset with her for making plans with a friend. After she told him he was “too controlling” and that she was going anyway, Burns followed her into the bathroom.
As per the affidavit, Burns tried to “gouge her eye out with his finger,” which broke a blood vessel in her eye. She was unable to go to work for the entire next week due to the injury. A family friend confirmed seeing the injury to her eye.
Burns, 46, was in his second term, and had represented House District 35 since 2023. He had been a member of several House committees, including the Judiciary Committee and the Public Health Committee. His guilty plea to felony charges would have legally barred him from holding his seat in the legislature.
Burns’ resignation from the House creates a vacancy that will be filled by a special election. The state has not yet set a date for the election.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Oklahoma Legislator Steps Down Following Domestic Violence Plea
State Rep. Ty Burns, a Republican from Oklahoma, has resigned from the legislature after pleading guilty to assault charges.
By Kate Byrd
Published: September 6, 2025 8:00 am ET
Oklahoma State Representative Ty Burns (via Oklahoma State Legislature)
PAWNEE, OK — Oklahoma state Rep. Ty Burns, a Republican, resigned from office after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges involving his wife and 16-year-old daughter.
According to a statement from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office, Pawnee County District Judge Patrick Pickerill ordered Burns to a one-year suspended term. The sentence requires Burns to complete a Batterers Intervention Program, and he will not go to prison.
The attorney general’s office took over the case after Pawnee County District Attorney Mike Fisher recused himself from prosecuting Burns. The charges were filed in November 2024 and April 2025.
According to The Oklahoman, Burns stated he was stepping down for the sake of his constituents and his family. He said he takes full responsibility for his actions and is going to counseling with his family. He mentioned receiving treatment for issues from his military service that he had “long ignored.” The lawmaker’s resignation becomes effective Oct. 1.
The charges stemmed from two incidents, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
The first event took place on April 24, 2025, when Burns and his wife reportedly had an argument. The affidavit states the argument escalated and Burns went to a home in Morrison where his wife and children were located. Burns was “verbally abusive” toward his wife and “pushing her around.” Another adult woman was also in the home.
When the other woman tried to leave the home in a van with two young children, Burns ran out and began “shaking the van and pushing it.” He screamed at the woman, “Get the f— out of here. I hate you. You are the cause of all these problems.” He also told her she would be sorry if she stayed and that he would hurt her.
The affidavit states that as the van drove away, Burns got in his “big truck” and started chasing it. The document says he came “really close to the van” and “got to the side of the van and tried to make [the woman] weave off of the road.”
Burns was able to overtake the van and blocked it from moving forward, then demanded his daughter get out of the car. He screamed, “I’m goin’ to make sure you go down,” and “I’m going to kill you,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also references a recording of the incident from inside the van, where an occupant can be heard saying, “He is literally following us in the truck, he is chasing us, he is literally about to kill us.”
The driver of the van told investigators she believed she hurt her back and hit her head when Burns ran them off the road.
Burns’ wife also told investigators about a separate event that took place during Thanksgiving 2024. She said he became upset with her for making plans with a friend. After she told him he was “too controlling” and that she was going anyway, Burns followed her into the bathroom.
As per the affidavit, Burns tried to “gouge her eye out with his finger,” which broke a blood vessel in her eye. She was unable to go to work for the entire next week due to the injury. A family friend confirmed seeing the injury to her eye.
Burns, 46, was in his second term, and had represented House District 35 since 2023. He had been a member of several House committees, including the Judiciary Committee and the Public Health Committee. His guilty plea to felony charges would have legally barred him from holding his seat in the legislature.
Burns’ resignation from the House creates a vacancy that will be filled by a special election. The state has not yet set a date for the election.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Oklahoma Legislator Steps Down Following Domestic Violence Plea
State Rep. Ty Burns, a Republican from Oklahoma, has resigned from the legislature after pleading guilty to assault charges.
By Kate Byrd
Published: September 6, 2025 8:00 am ET
Oklahoma State Representative Ty Burns (via Oklahoma State Legislature)
PAWNEE, OK — Oklahoma state Rep. Ty Burns, a Republican, resigned from office after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges involving his wife and 16-year-old daughter.
According to a statement from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office, Pawnee County District Judge Patrick Pickerill ordered Burns to a one-year suspended term. The sentence requires Burns to complete a Batterers Intervention Program, and he will not go to prison.
The attorney general’s office took over the case after Pawnee County District Attorney Mike Fisher recused himself from prosecuting Burns. The charges were filed in November 2024 and April 2025.
According to The Oklahoman, Burns stated he was stepping down for the sake of his constituents and his family. He said he takes full responsibility for his actions and is going to counseling with his family. He mentioned receiving treatment for issues from his military service that he had “long ignored.” The lawmaker’s resignation becomes effective Oct. 1.
The charges stemmed from two incidents, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
The first event took place on April 24, 2025, when Burns and his wife reportedly had an argument. The affidavit states the argument escalated and Burns went to a home in Morrison where his wife and children were located. Burns was “verbally abusive” toward his wife and “pushing her around.” Another adult woman was also in the home.
When the other woman tried to leave the home in a van with two young children, Burns ran out and began “shaking the van and pushing it.” He screamed at the woman, “Get the f— out of here. I hate you. You are the cause of all these problems.” He also told her she would be sorry if she stayed and that he would hurt her.
The affidavit states that as the van drove away, Burns got in his “big truck” and started chasing it. The document says he came “really close to the van” and “got to the side of the van and tried to make [the woman] weave off of the road.”
Burns was able to overtake the van and blocked it from moving forward, then demanded his daughter get out of the car. He screamed, “I’m goin’ to make sure you go down,” and “I’m going to kill you,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also references a recording of the incident from inside the van, where an occupant can be heard saying, “He is literally following us in the truck, he is chasing us, he is literally about to kill us.”
The driver of the van told investigators she believed she hurt her back and hit her head when Burns ran them off the road.
Burns’ wife also told investigators about a separate event that took place during Thanksgiving 2024. She said he became upset with her for making plans with a friend. After she told him he was “too controlling” and that she was going anyway, Burns followed her into the bathroom.
As per the affidavit, Burns tried to “gouge her eye out with his finger,” which broke a blood vessel in her eye. She was unable to go to work for the entire next week due to the injury. A family friend confirmed seeing the injury to her eye.
Burns, 46, was in his second term, and had represented House District 35 since 2023. He had been a member of several House committees, including the Judiciary Committee and the Public Health Committee. His guilty plea to felony charges would have legally barred him from holding his seat in the legislature.
Burns’ resignation from the House creates a vacancy that will be filled by a special election. The state has not yet set a date for the election.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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