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@Multcoso
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is asking for the public’s continued vigilance about a phone scam impersonating our members. A number of concerned individuals have alerted us to phone scams over the past month. In one instance, a person reported losing $1,500.
Most recently, the scam calls are from someone posing as a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant or sergeant. It’s been reported that the scammer claims the recipient has missed a grand jury summons and must pay a fine or they will be arrested. New tactics reported to us include, scammers using fake badge numbers and case numbers to try to legitimize their claims.
Often, a method of the scammers is to keep the person on the phone during the entire process and tell the person they are not allowed to contact family or friends for advice. Once the scammer receives payment, they will then tell the person they can come to an MCSO office for reimbursement.
We want to remind the public that we NEVER conduct matters concerning warrant service, missed jury duty, missed court dates or payment of fines over the phone. We urge you to be aware of these ongoing and evolving scams.
What to do if you are contacted:
•If you are called by a person claiming to be a member of the Sheriff’s Office and they are requesting payment in any capacity, DO NOT SEND MONEY or engage with these individuals. They do not represent the Sheriff’s Office.
•If you have been a victim of this scam, please file a police report by calling 503-823-3333 and select the option for non-emergency police reporting in the jurisdiction that reflects your residence.
Link to video of a voicemail a scammer left a victim and a message from a deputy the scammers often pose as.
Information from the Oregon Department of Justice
Just Hang Up - Oregon Department of Justice
Six Signs It Is A Scam - Oregon Department of Justice
A 25-year-old Fairview resident is found guilty on child sex abuse charges, following a months-long investigation by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
The investigation began on March 21, 2022, when patrol deputies responded to a Fairview business to check on the wellbeing of a child, who was under the age of 10. Deputies learned from the child’s parents that a man, later identified as Brendan Tyler Johnson, had been communicating with their child through an online social media application, and that he had requested sexually explicit images from the child. Johnson was arrested.
Over the course of eight months, detectives performed searches of Johnson’s home and meticulously reviewed his internet and electronic communications history, with the help of MCSO’s digital forensic expert. Detectives discovered Johnson’s online activity included the handling and storage of pornographic images of children and the grooming of minors.
The case was referred to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and charges were filed following a grand jury indictment.
Earlier this month, after a weeklong trial, a jury found Johnson guilty on two counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, one count of encouraging child sexual abuse in the second degree, and three counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree. Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2023.
“The months-long investigation highlights MCSO’s commitment to creating safer communities and protecting our youth,” MCSO Law Enforcement Chief Deputy James Eriksen said. “Our team worked together to bring justice to the family and prevent Johnson from victimizing anyone else.”
We also want to take this opportunity to remind the public that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. For resources on online safety, child abuse awareness, age-appropriate education, or to make a report of suspicious online behavior, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website. You can also report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE(7233).
Justin Ray Jones, 31, was taken into custody in Washington on Thursday, March 9. He was located by the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department. Jones remains in custody in Clark County on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle. He will be extradited to Multnomah County for identity theft crimes and absconding from parole.
If you believe you may have been victimized by Jones, you’re urged to call the MCSO Tip Line at 503-988-0560, or Crime Stoppers of Oregon at 503-823-0277.
February, 27, 2023 - Multnomah County Sheriff's Office detectives are seeking the public's help in locating 31-year-old Justin Ray Jones, who's wanted for a string of identity theft crimes, impacting people in Oregon and across the country. Detectives believe Jones is actively attempting to commit additional fraud, identity theft and forgery crimes. Additionally, Jones is currently wanted for identity theft and related crimes, and absconding from parole.
Jones is known to frequent the Woodstock, Mt. Scott and Lents neighborhoods of Portland. Jones is using multiple aliases and fraudulent identifications. To help the public identify Jones, a booking photo from 2021, is attached to the news release.
Currently, there are approximately three dozen victims, but detectives believe the number is likely higher.
If you recognize Jones and have any information on his whereabouts, or believe you may have been victimized by Jones, you’re urged to call the MCSO Tip Line at 503-988-0560, or Crime Stoppers of Oregon at 503-823-0277.
Anna Karen Perez-Velador, 28, was booked on charges of assault, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, coercion and criminal mischief, following a confrontation with a bus driver in Northeast Portland. At 11 p.m., on Monday, March 13, officers from Transit Police (TPD) and Portland Police responded to the area near NE 27th Avenue and NE Saratoga Street. The bus driver reported that, after being stabbed by Perez-Velador in the leg, they extricated themselves through the driver’s side window as Perez-Velador was standing in the doorway armed with a knife. Police officers located Perez-Velador and a male acquaintance, 26-year-old Cody Christopher Richardson, nearby and took them into custody.
During the investigation, officers learned the bus driver, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, asked Perez-Velador and Richardson to exit the bus because it had reached the line’s terminus. Perez-Velador then confronted the driver and pulled out a knife, stabbing the driver in the leg.
The bus driver and two suspects were the only people onboard at the time of the incident.
In addition to the charges, Perez-Velador had an existing arrest warrant. Richardson, was booked on a single charge of interfering with public transportation and existing arrest warrants. Additional charges may be added after future investigative steps are completed.
The bus driver was treated at a local hospital for the leg injury and released.
TriMet is providing the following statement: “Our hearts are with our operator as they recover from this frightening ordeal. Managers are connecting the operator with support service for their mental and emotional wellbeing. We remind the public that assaulting a bus operator is a felony. TriMet will continue working with Transit Police and the district attorney’s office to hold the assailant accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Update: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
A Multnomah County Grand Jury indicted 30-year-old Sean Ryan Bahrman on four counts of unlawful use of a weapon, four counts of menacing, and one count of criminal mischief in the second degree, on Monday, February 27th.
Following the completion of this court process, we are releasing additional information based on the current investigation.
On February 18, 2023, at 1:40 a.m., Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) patrol deputies received a report of a subject firing a weapon at a business in the 25100 block of Southeast Stark Street in Troutdale. The 911 caller said that a man used a weapon to shoot windows at a business, in which several people were inside, and at unoccupied vehicles in the parking lot. Dispatchers told the caller to stay inside the building and shelter in place.
As MCSO deputies and Gresham Police Department (GPD) officers were responding, the caller told the dispatcher they were unsure if the weapon was a real firearm. When law enforcement officers arrived, they observed a man, later identified as Bahrman, in the business parking lot holding what appeared to be a black handgun, (see Photo 001). MCSO deputies reported the suspect fired the weapon at them.
Deputies and officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by staying at a distance and giving verbal commands to drop the weapon. Bahrman did not follow the orders and led law enforcement officers northward on a walking path. While moving north, toward a neighborhood on Southwest 29th Street, Bahrman placed the weapon on the ground, and then immediately pulled out a second weapon.
For approximately 10 minutes, law enforcement officers continued to give verbal commands. Bahrman did not obey any of the commands and waved the weapon in multiple directions.
When Bahrman reached Southwest 29th Street, he pointed the weapon at a residential home and at himself. Law enforcement officers continued providing verbal orders and warnings. When Bahrman pointed the weapon at deputies and officers at least twice, a Multnomah County sheriff’s deputy fired a single shot, hitting the suspect in the left abdomen.
Law enforcement officers continued to give Bahrman commands to relinquish the weapon, (see Photo 002). Bahrman complied and deputies and officers immediately rendered aid. An ambulance waiting nearby transported Bahrman to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. After his injuries were treated, Bahrman was released from the hospital and booked into the Multnomah County Jail later on February 18. No one else reported injuries during the incident.
The East County Major Crimes Team (MCT) was activated to perform the shooting investigation. MCT consists of members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department, Oregon State Police, Port of Portland Police Department and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
During the investigation, it was determined that both weapons were replica firearms and fired ball bearings.
The deputy involved in the shooting is Sergeant David Jackson, a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, who’s assigned to the Patrol Unit. Jackson remains on critical incident leave, which is standard protocol.
MCT continues its investigation into the deputy-involved-shooting, and no further information will be released until future court processes are completed.
Attached media files:
- Photo 001 image description: replica firearm recovered near the walking trail
- Photo 002 image description: replica firearm recovered from Bahrman on Southwest 29th Street
Update provided on February 21:
The suspect in Saturday’s deputy-involved shooting is identified as 30-year-old Sean Ryan Bahrman. He is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of menacing and one count of criminal mischief in the second degree. We anticipate releasing additional information after upcoming court proceedings are completed.
Initial press release posted on Saturday, February 18:
On Saturday February 18, 2023 at approximately 1:40am, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Deputies received a report about an armed male subject firing a weapon at windows near a business at the 25100 block of Southeast Stark in Troutdale. Employees in the business were advised to stay down and inside to be safe from this subject. MCSO Deputies and Gresham Police Officers responded and contacted the subject. Deputies gave verbal commands to drop a weapon. As the situation developed, a deputy fired his duty weapon, striking the subject. Medical care was immediately rendered to the male and he was transported to Emanuel Hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The subject was subsequently discharged from the hospital and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and other crimes.
The deputy who fired his weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, per standard protocol.
The East County Major Crimes Team and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office are leading this investigation. The team consists of members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department, Oregon State Police, Port of Portland Police Department and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, Portland Police Bureau homicide detectives are assisting per standard protocols. The investigation is on-going. Investigators are interviewing witnesses, processing the crime scene, and collecting surveillance video.
Notifications were provided to the Multnomah County Chair and the Troutdale Mayor’s Office.
No other members of the community, deputies, or officers were injured as a result of this incident. There is no current risk to the public.
As part of this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office will conduct an internal review of the entire incident, including the initial response, resources requested, tactics used, and post shooting actions.
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