Meet Your District Attorney Staff
Matt Ballard, District Attorney
An experienced prosecutor, Matt was born and raised in Rogers County. After graduating as valedictorian from Claremore High School in 1995, he attended the University of Oklahoma on a National Merit Scholarship and graduated summa cum laude. In 2002 Matt graduated with honors from the OU College of Law.
Right out of college, Matt served as an Oklahoma County prosecutor. While working in the special victims’ unit, Matt saw the harsh realities of crime. He wasn’t just representing a community; he was bringing justice to people with families and futures.
In 2010 he became the City of Claremore attorney, and before that, he also spent time in private practice.
Matt and his wife have three children.
The Assistant District Attorneys
District Attorney Matt Ballard supervises ten assistant district attorneys in the three counties of the 12th District: Craig, Mayes, and Rogers.
The ADAs bring a wealth of legal experience from both private practice and as prosecutors.
These attorneys handle a wide variety of cases, including first-degree murder, rape, child abuse, and juvenile cases, as well as those in the various alternative courts, including Veterans Court, Drug Court, and Anna McBride Mental Health Court. Always to help make the community safer while holding criminals accountable.
Rebekah Kennell, Director of Victim Services
Rebekah.Kennell@dac.state.ok.us
Jennifer Holloway, Victim Advocate Mayes County
Jennifer.Holloway@dac.state.ok.us
Heather Jordan, Community Outreach & Development
Heather.Jordan@dac.state.ok.us
Michelle Lowry, Director of Communications
Michelle joined the 12th Prosecutorial District team in December 2013 to provide outreach within the community and to work closely with the various helping agencies that support victims of crime.
She acts as Public Information Officer and liaison to members of the media. As well as handling victim of crime compensation claims, writing and administering federal grants, and managing the office website.
Michelle’s email: Michelle.Lowry@dac.state.ok.us
Victim of Crime Compensation Claims
Michelle also helps victims submit claims for relief from some of the financial burdens that come with being victimized. Victim compensation is available both to victims in cases that are being prosecuted within District 12 and also to victims in cases where the perpetrator has not been caught or identified.
Victims of violent crimes and, in some cases, their families may be able to receive compensation for:
*Income loss
*Medical, dental, rehabilitation services
*Counseling
*Crime scene cleanup and impound fees
*Travel for medical or counseling appointments
*Funeral, burial, traditional American Indian healing or burial ceremonies
Gary Stansill, District Attorney Investigator
Gary joined the team of DA Investigators in August 2011.
He retired from the Tulsa Police Department in May 2010 at the rank of sergeant after 35 years of service. During his time with TPD, he served nine years as a sex crimes investigator, supervised the Child Crisis Unit for five years, and supervised the Sex Crime Unit for eight years.
As a supervisor for the Child Crisis Unit, he successfully merged the Unit with the Child Abuse Network which became a national model for the multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse investigations.
Gary is widely recognized as an expert in sexual assault investigations. He consulted with the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General in creating a curriculum in Evidence-Based Sexual Assault training, which has been mandated for all law enforcement in Oklahoma. Gary teaches this evidence-based sexual assault training throughout the state of Oklahoma to law enforcement and to any agencies involved in sexual assault cases.
Gary has the expertise to review cold case files looking for new leads.
Jennifer Book, Office Manager
Jennifer is the Office Manager for all three of the District Attorney’s counties. She oversees the Office Staff’s day-to-day operations and handles the Office’s Finance division.
Jennifer is a graduate of Sequoyah High School.
Jennifer’s email: Jennifer.Book@dac.state.ok.us
Mechelle Duncan, Office of Supervision Director
Mechelle graduated from Langston University after earning her bachelor’s in Sociology.
She worked as a Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator with the Tulsa Housing Authority, and then her career took her to the Department of Human Services.
At DHS, she worked with family support programs helping clients with child care resources, Soonercare, TANF, and SNAP.
Mechelle’s email: mechelle.duncan@dac.state.ok.us
Rogers County Office of Supervision and Probation
(918) 923-4593
This department also handles community service and bogus checks.
Probation and Supervision, Craig County
megan.purcell@dac.state.ok.us
Bear, Therapy Dog
Bear is the youngest member of District Attorney Ballard’s team. Born in May of 2015 Bear was rescued with the help of volunteers from Saving Whiskers and Tails in Pryor, OK after he and his siblings were dumped next to Highway 69. He is a Labrador/Great Dane mix.
Bear and his fellow court support dog Jerzy Girl love children and have the perfect temperaments for supporting them through stressful times.