# Randy Terrill
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{{Short description|American politician (born 1969)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Randy Terrill
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| image_size =
| state_house = Oklahoma
| district = 53rd
| term_start = 2004
| term_end = 2012
| predecessor = [Carolyn Coleman](/source/Carolyn_Coleman)
| successor = [Mark McBride](/source/Mark_McBride)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|09|29}}
| birth_place = [Alva, Oklahoma](/source/Alva%2C_Oklahoma)
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse =
| party = [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States))
| relations =
| children =
| alma_mater = [University of Central Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Central_Oklahoma)
[OU Law School](/source/University_of_Oklahoma_College_of_Law)
| occupation = Politician
| profession =
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Randy Terrill''' (born September 29, 1969) is an American politician. A [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)), he is a former member of the [Oklahoma House of Representatives](/source/Oklahoma_House_of_Representatives) from [Moore, Oklahoma](/source/Moore%2C_Oklahoma).[[http://www.normantranscript.com/news/local_news/terrill-s-support-of-fields-draws-gop-fire/article_b2f0b93c-de4c-57f8-bfd0-36518dc60c11.html Terrill's support of Fields draws GOP fire], ''The Norman Transcript'' (December 6, 2006).]
==Early life and education==
Terrill was born in [Alva, Oklahoma](/source/Alva%2C_Oklahoma), on September 29, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from the [University of Central Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Central_Oklahoma) and a [J.D.](/source/Juris_Doctor) from the [University of Oklahoma College of Law](/source/University_of_Oklahoma_College_of_Law).[[https://web.archive.org/web/20060218215710/http://www.odl.state.ok.us/almanac/2005/7-legis.pdf 2005 ''Oklahoma Alamanc''], Oklahoma Department of Libraries, p. 152.]
==Political career==
Before being elected to office himself, Terrill had various political jobs, working "as a press intern for Governor [Henry Bellmon](/source/Henry_Bellmon), legislative assistant to former House Republican Leader [Larry Ferguson](/source/Larry_Ferguson_(politician)), director of legislative research and special projects for Governor [Frank Keating](/source/Frank_Keating), political director of the [Oklahoma Republican Party](/source/Oklahoma_Republican_Party), and as special assistant to Labor Commissioner [Brenda Reneau](/source/Brenda_Reneau).[Miriam Jordan, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703322204575227320006734604 Immigration Debate Flares in Oklahoma: Lawmaker Leads Campaign to Drive Out Illegal Entrants as Issue Touches Home in States Far From the U.S. Border], ''Wall Street Journal'' (May 10, 2010).]
During his time in the state House, Terrill was known for his sponsorship of "[English-only](/source/English-only_movement)" legislation.[Randy Krehbiel, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/terrill-jolts-english-only-bill-back-to-life/article_2b9c5c6e-4521-55c5-8d91-2eafb1f52bae.html?mode=image&photo=0 Terrill jolts English-only bill back to life], ''Tulsa World'' (April 7, 2009).][Michael McNutt, [http://newsok.com/article/3359556 Second English bill by Oklahoma Rep. Randy Terrill wins backing], ''The Oklahoman'' (April 7, 2009).] Terrill was also known for his sponsorship of [HB1804](/source/HB1804), a strict law targeting [illegal immigration,](/source/illegal_immigration) that the Legislature enacted in 2007.[Tim Talley, [http://www.normantranscript.com/news/former-lawmaker-randy-terrill-r-moore-convicted-in-bribery-trial/article_a3e55fb0-7d22-53c9-9347-9781c4237cdb.html Former lawmaker Randy Terrill, R-Moore, convicted in bribery trial], Associated Press (October 30, 2013): "Terrill, best known as the author of Oklahoma's tough immigration law adopted by the Legislature in 2007..."][Ismael Estrada & Keith Oppenheim, [http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/02/oklahoma.immigration/ Oklahoma targets illegal immigrants with tough new law], CNN (November 5, 20078).] The bill was backed by "Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now" (IRON), an advocacy group that supported legislation to combat what it asserts to be an "illegal alien invasion of America."["Oklahoma" in ''Contemporary Immigration in America: A State-by-State Encyclopedia'', Vol. 2 (ABC-CLIO, 2015: ed. Kathleen R. Arnold), p. 679.] Terrill touted his legislation as "tougher than [Arizona's anti-immigration law](/source/Arizona_SB_1070)"; the measure required "police to determine the status of anyone they lawfully stop and also suspect is an illegal immigrant" and made it "a state crime to lack immigration papers."[Michael McNutt, [http://newsok.com/article/3507584 Oklahoma election: Randy Terrill confident of re-election in HD 53], ''The Oklahoman'' (October 24, 2010).]
In March 2011, Terrill was publicly reprimanded by the House in a 67-18 vote after being "accused of using profane language and threatening violence against" House Speaker [Kris Steele](/source/Kris_Steele), a fellow Republican.[M Scott Carter, [https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-28230406/oklahoma-house-votes-to-reprimand-randy-terrill Oklahoma House Votes to Reprimand Randy Terrill], ''Journal Record'' (March 14, 2011).][[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIgYRscS_nQ Terrill Reprimanded on House Floor for Alleged Outburst], KOCO 5 News (March 15, 2011).] Terrill denied making threats or using profanity and characterized the reprimand as part of an "orchestrated attack" on him.[Nolan Clay, [http://newsok.com/article/3898933 Former Oklahoma Rep. Randy Terrill found guilty of political bribery charge],''The Oklahoman'' (October 29, 2013).] In that year, Terrill unsuccessfully ran for [Cleveland County](/source/Cleveland_County%2C_Oklahoma) commissioner,[Jane Glenn Cannon, [http://newsok.com/article/3687749 Oklahoma elections: Randy Terrill loses bid for Cleveland County Commissioner post], ''The Oklahoma'' (June 26, 2012).]
===Bribery conviction===
Terrill was a key figure in the [2010 Oklahoma political corruption investigation](/source/2010_Oklahoma_political_corruption_investigation). In November 2011, a judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial of Terrill for bribery.[Nolan Clay, [http://newsok.com/judge-rules-sufficient-evidence-for-bribery-trial-for-state-rep.-randy-terrill-former-sen.-debbe-leftwich/article/3619933 Judge Rules sufficient evidence for bribery trial] (November 4, 2011).] The charges involved Terrill's offer of a state job paying $80,000 to State Senator [Debbe Leftwich](/source/Debbe_Leftwich) (D-Oklahoma City) so that she would not run for reelection, clearing the way for State Representative [Mike Christian](/source/Mike_Christian_(politician)) (R-Oklahoma City) to run for the seat instead.[Nolan Clay, [http://newsok.com/former-oklahoma-rep.-randy-terrill-found-guilty-of-political-bribery-charge/article/3898933 Former Oklahoma Rep. Randy Terrill found guilty of political bribery charge], ''The Oklahoman'' (October 29, 2013).] In October 2013, a jury convicted Terrill of bribery. The jury recommended a sentence of one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.[Nolan Clay, [http://newsok.com/article/5423506 Former Oklahoma legislator begins prison sentence for bribery conviction], ''The Oklahoman'' (May 29, 2015).])
In December 2014, Terrill was sentenced to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.[[http://kgou.org/post/update-terrill-sentenced-prison-fined Terrill Sentenced To Prison, Fined], Associated Press (December 20, 2014).] His sentence was upheld by the [Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals](/source/Oklahoma_Court_of_Criminal_Appeals) and he entered prison in May 2015.[Nolan Clay, [http://newsok.com/article/5443926 Convicted former legislator released with ankle monitor], ''The Oklahoman'' (September 1, 2015).]
==Personal life==
Terrill is married and has one daughter and son.[John Estus & Paul Monies, [http://newsok.com/article/3469776 Oklahoma state Rep. Randy Terrill got home loan during bankruptcy], ''The Oklahoman'' (June 20, 2010).] In 2008, a [federal bankruptcy judge](/source/United_States_bankruptcy_court) "ordered Terrill to pay $11,301 for failing to disclose loans to his campaign as an asset."