Woman Gets 90 Months In Prison For Attempting To Stab Two Keizer Police Officers -05/08/25

Updated Press Release Cortes

On May 8, 2025, Marion County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Tracy A. Prall sentenced Brandi Cortes (41) to 90 months (7.5 years) in the Department of Corrections for eluding law enforcement and attempting to stab Keizer Police Officers Cody Stupfel and Jeremie Fletcher with a knife from July 28, 2024.

Judge Prall sentenced Cortes to 45 months at the Department of Corrections for each conviction of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree to be served consecutively. She also sentenced Cortes to 6 months at the Department of Corrections for two convictions of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude to be served concurrently. The court ruled that convictions of Assaulting of a Public Safety Officer and Attempted Assaulting of a Public Safety Officer would merge into the convictions for Attempted Assault in the Second Degree.

The sentencing came after a jury trial which concluded on April 29, 2025, where the jury found Cortes guilty of two counts of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, two counts of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, one count of Assault of a Public Safety Officer for causing injury to Jeremie Fletcher, and one count of Attempting to Assault a Public Safety Officer for attempting to injure Cody Stupfel. Cortes was found not guilty of Attempted Aggravated Murder and Attempted Murder in the First Degree.

During the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence that Cortes took Keizer Police on a high speed chase throughout the City of Keizer that ended at Keizer Rapids Park. Cortes then armed herself with a knife and repeatedly stabbed both Officer Cody Stupfel and Officer Jeremie Fletcher. As a result of having protective ballistic vests on, neither officer was significantly injured by the knife.

At the time of the incident, Cortes was on supervision for DUII. Cortes had previously been convicted of two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Marion County Circuit Court Case 13C45497) and Criminal Mischief (03C47081). 

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Sarah Meyer and Braden Wolf.

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office is grateful that the officers were unharmed, and wishes to thank Keizer Police for their professsional response and work on this case.

MARION COUNTY JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER IN THE FIRST DEGREE FOR KILLING TWO PEOPLE WITH HIS VEHICLE -05/07/25

On May 7th, 2025, a Marion County jury found Terrance Quackenbush-Benson, 29, guilty of two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree, two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, one count each of Assault in the Second Degree and Third Degree, one count of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and one count of Reckless Driving.

The charges resulted from a September 16, 2024, incident where Quackenbush-Benson drove his truck across the center line and collided head-on with a truck traveling in the opposite direction.  At the time of the incident, Quakenbush-Benson was under the influence of an inhalant. The driver and passenger died upon impact.  A third passenger survived the crash but suffered serious physical injuries.  She is still recovering.

Marion County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hart presided over the five-day trial. The State was represented by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Katharine Semple and Melissa Roberts.

Quakenbush-Benson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2025, at 4pm. 

MARION COUNTY JURY FINDS WOMAN GUILTY OF INTENTIONALLY INJURING ANOTHER WITH A VEHICLE -05/01/25

On April 30, 2025, a Marion County jury found Jessica Lee Pemberton, 38, guilty of one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Violating a Court’s Stalking Protective Order.

The charges resulted from a September 4, 2022, incident where Pemberton intentionally struck another woman with her car. At the time of the incident, the victim had a court’s stalking protective order against her. The victim sustained bruising on her torso and an injury to her wrist.  She ultimately recovered.  

Marion County Circuit Court Judge Lindsay Partridge presided over the two day trial. The State was represented by Marion County Deputy District Attorney Mae D’Amico.

Pemberton is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2025, at 1pm. 

Marion County Jury Finds Woman Guilty Of Attempting To Stab Two Keizer Police Officers -04/30/25

On April 29, 2025, a Marion County jury found Brandi Lea Cortes, 41, guilty of two counts of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, one count of Assault of a Public Safety Officer, one count of Attempted Assault of a Public Safety Officer, and two counts of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer.

The charges result from a July 28, 2024, incident where Cortes eluded law enforcement and attempted to stab two Keizer police officers with a knife upon her arrest.   Officers Jeremie Fletcher and Cody Stupfel were wearing ballistics vests during the incident and were ultimately not injured by Cortes' knife; however, Officer Fletcher susteained a sprained wrist effectuating her arrest.

Marion County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Tracy Prall presided over the two day trial. The State was represented by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Braden Wolf and Sarah Meyer.

Cortes is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2025, at 11am. 

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