Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Warns Of Law Enforcement Impersonation Scam - 10/27/26

 Gresham resident loses $40,000 to scammers posing as Sheriff’s Office lieutenant

Multnomah County, Ore – The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is warning community members about a phone scam in which criminals impersonate members of law enforcement to pressure victims into sending money. The warning follows a recent incident in which a Multnomah County resident reported losing $40,000 to scammers posing as a MCSO lieutenant.

On September 23, Tarisa Whitney reported her 79-year-old dad, Steven, missing after receiving a concerning phone call from him and then losing contact.

During the conversation, her father indicated he was working with the sheriff’s office but could not discuss what he was doing. His daughter suspected he was being scammed.

“He told me I can’t answer your texts or emails right now. I’ll call you later. I thought this isn’t right. Something’s not right,” Tarisa recalls.

When he eventually returned home, a responding deputy intercepted him on the phone with a suspected scammer who immediately hung up. In an earlier voicemail, left on the victim’s phone, the caller identified themself as “Lieutenant White” with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Steven was told he had missed jury duty and needed to pay a fine to avoid being arrested.

The victim made two separate $20,000 withdrawals from his bank and deposited the cash into a bitcoin machine at a convenience store in Southeast Portland.

“I just thought I had a pay it,” Steven later told his daughter.

Scammers often impersonate law enforcement to create a sense of urgency. They may also instruct victims not to discuss the situation with family members or others.

“They want people to panic and act before they know what has happened,” explained Detective Tamari Johnson, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

MCSO reminds community members that legitimate members of law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone to resolve a warrant, avoid arrest, or settle a criminal matter.

"Please report these crimes to law enforcement. We know these cases can be challenging to investigate, but if a scammer can be identified - we will prosecute," said Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call.

Hang up. Do not provide personal information, financial details or payment.

Verify the caller independently. Contact the law enforcement agency directly using a phone number obtained from its official website. Do not use a callback number provided by the caller.

Never send money to someone claiming to be law enforcement. Do not withdraw cash or make payments through cryptocurrency kiosks, gift cards or wire transfers at a caller’s direction.

Talk to someone you trust. Scammers rely on fear and secrecy. Speaking with a family member or trusted friend can help identify suspicious activity.

Report the scam. If you believe you have been targeted, contact your local law enforcement agency. If you have already sent money, immediately notify you bank or financial institution.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office encourages community members to share this warning, particularly with older adults and others who may be targeted by impersonation scams.

*Below are interview sound bites with Tarisa Whitney and her father Steven. Along with the scam voicemail and b-roll of Tarisa and Steven at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

Media Assets

Tarisa_SOT1

Tarisa SOT2

Tarisa SOT3

Steven SOT1

Steven SOT2

Scam Voicemail

Broll

Steven Bank Statement

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Completes Two Search And Rescue Missions In Columbia River Gorge - 10/24/26

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) teams responded to two rescue missions in less than 24 hours near the Horsetail Falls trail system in the Columbia River Gorge. Both incidents involved hikers who attempted to use the Rock of Ages trail - an area that has been unmaintained since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. The route is rugged, overgrown, and known for steep cliffs and unstable terrain.

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, called 911 after becoming lost and stranded on a cliff. SAR Coordinators established contact, obtained their location, and deployed the MCSO Green Hornet hasty team along with roughly 25 MCSO Search and Rescue volunteers. Teams began hiking at 9:00 p.m. and reached the pair shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23. Searchers safely guided the juveniles out of the wilderness, where they reunited with family around 4:30 a.m.

Less than eight hours later, on Friday, October 23, at approximately 12:40 p.m., SAR was activated for a second incident involving two adult hikers, ages 20 and 24. They reported being lost, surrounded by cliffs, and unable to locate the trail. After deputies established contact, SAR Coordinators organized a response. Around 2:30 p.m., roughly 20 MCSO SAR volunteers re-entered the same wilderness area searched earlier that morning. Teams reached the hikers around 9:00 p.m. and guided them out of the wilderness at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

During debriefings, SAR Coordinators learned that both groups had attempted to navigate portions of the closed Rock of Ages trail. Each group reported losing the route and continuing off-trail in an effort to self-rescue. In one case, reliance on a popular hiking app led hikers into an immensely hazardous location, requiring nearly six hours of technical searching to reach safely.

MCSO reminds the public that the Rock of Ages trail is not maintained and conditions in the area are extremely hazardous and can quickly lead to disorientation or injury. Hikers are strongly encouraged to stay on open, maintained trails; research routes using official land management resources; and carry the appropriate equipment for changing conditions.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Seizes 200lbs Of Methamphetamine During Traffic Stop (Photo) - 10/19/26

                                                               Two arrested on federal drug charges following multi-agency investigation

Multnomah County, Ore. – The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Dangerous Drugs Team, working alongside federal, state and local law enforcement partners, seized approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on I-5 in Salem.

On October 15, 2026, MCSO detectives conducted the traffic stop with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team and Oregon State Police.

During the stop, an MCSO drug detection K-9 alerted deputies to the possibility of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of approximately 200lbs of methamphetamine and $1,521 in cash.

Two individuals were taken into custody on federal charges of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. One of the individuals also had an outstanding warrant for delivery of a controlled substance involving heroin. Both were transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center.

"Removing this significant quantity of methamphetamine from circulation is an important step in protecting our communities," said Sgt. Chad Phifer, MCSO Special Investigations Unit. "Operations like this demonstrate the value of working together across jurisdictions to disrupt drug trafficking and hold those responsible accountable."

Multnomah County is part of the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA); a federal program that works to facilitate, support and enhance collaborative drug control efforts among law enforcement agencies across 16 counties to help significantly reduce illegal trafficking and the use of drugs.

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Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Investigates Fatal Traffic Crash - 10/11/26

On October 10th, 2026 at approximately 8:25am deputies assigned to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Patrol Unit were dispatched to the area of Chinook Landing in the City of Fairview to the report of a single vehicle crash. When deputies arrived at the scene they located a deceased male.

The MCSO Vehicular Crimes Team responded to the scene to continue the investigation. Their initial investigation determined the vehicle left the roadway, crashing into the embankment near the entrance to Chinook Landing and that alcohol was a contributing factor.  The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release at this time.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Leads Multi-Agency Transit Mission; 14 Arrested (Photo) - 10/08/26

READ ONLINE: https://www.mcso.us/public-information/multnomah-county-sheriffs-office-leads-multi-agency-transit-mission-14-arrested

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore.  – As part of ongoing efforts to increase public safety in NE Portland and along the public transit corridors, TriMet’s Transit Police, led by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), coordinated a high-visibility enforcement mission on October 6, 2026.

The operation centered around the transit station at NE 122^nd and E Burnside. It lasted about four hours and resulted in the following:

• 14 arrests
• 19 code violations
• 5 traffic stops

In addition, one person was issued a transit exclusion, which prohibits them from entering TriMet property. Four of the arrested were charged with delivery of a controlled substance for fentanyl and methamphetamine.

This mission was part of an ongoing effort, under the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Enhanced Public Safety Initiative, to address drug activity and other public safety concerns extending onto the transit system. It was conducted in coordination with Transit Police, Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct Neighborhood Response Team, MCSO Corrections Transport Unit and MCSO’s Airborne Law Enforcement Support Team (ALEST).

About Transit Police:   

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) leads the multi-agency TriMet Transit Police. Transit Police officers and deputies help to ensure a safe transit system by riding trains and buses and visiting platforms and stations. They respond to calls for service and investigate crimes that occur on TriMet property in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. 

Current agencies comprising Transit Police include MCSO, the Portland Police Bureau, Port of Portland Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.

DOWNLOADABLE PHOTOS/VIDEO:  Photo 1 | Photo 2 |  Photo 3 | Photo 4 | B-roll Video 

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UPDATE (October 5, 2026): Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Man Found Deceased On October 1st - 10/05/26

UPDATE (October 5, 2026): Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Man Found Deceased on October 1st

Read online: https://www.mcso.us/public-information/multnomah-county-sheriffs-office-identifies-man-found-deceased-october-1st

FAIRVIEW, Ore.– The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the identity of the man found deceased on October 1, 2026, near NE 227^th Avenue, north of NE Halsey Street in Fairview

Family notifications are complete and the man is being identified as 49-year-old Kerry M. Cottrell of Fairview.

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death, but initial reports indicate Mr. Cottrell died from a medical condition.

No further information is being released at this time.

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NEWS RELEASE (October 1, 2026): Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suspicious Death in Fairview

Read online: https://www.mcso.us/public-information/multnomah-county-sheriffs-office-investigating-suspicious-death-fairview

FAIRVIEW, Ore. - The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death in the location near NE 227^th Avenue, north of NE Halsey Street in Fairview.

At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, emergency dispatchers received a report to 9-1-1 of a person down in the street behind a business, near the driveway to a shopping center.

Responding deputies and emergency medical personnel from AMR arrived within minutes and determined the individual had already died.

Detectives responded to the location and determined the person was a white man in his 40s or early 50s. Detectives conducted a thorough on-scene investigation, including interviewing several possible witnesses in the area.

NE 227^th Ave was briefly closed due to the investigation.

The victim’s identity will not be released until family notifications have been completed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who witnessed anything related to this event is urged to contact the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Tip Line by calling 503-988-0560 and referencing case number 26-45422.

Detectives do not believe there is any threat to the public. No additional information can be released at this time.

UPDATE!! Missing Endangered Person (Photo) - 10/05/26

!!Update!! Connie G. Bender has been located along NW Frontage Rd. He is in stable condition and his family has been notified.

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The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating 74-year-old Connie G. Bender.

Bender’s car, a blue/gray Toyota Corolla with AZ license plate #ZJA7DV, was found abandoned at 5605 NE Sundial Rd. in Troutdale. It had front end damage and personal property inside.

Bender has medical needs and is considered endangered. His last known contact was a phone call with his daughter on the morning of October 4, 2026.

Anyone who sees Connie Bender or has information about his whereabouts, is asked to call 911 and reference case # 26-46020.