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The original release incorrectly stated this occurred on November 19th. The correct date is November 12th.
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As the holiday season is quickly approaching our Forest Patrol deputies will see an increase in people heading into the Willamette National Forest looking for the perfect tree. Forest Patrol Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office will be in the area working with law enforcement from the U.S. Forest Service to not only keep people safe, but to be on the lookout for those involved in the theft of Special Forest Products.
Recently, on November 12th, Forest Patrol Deputies stopped two Washington County men in a vehicle which was carrying approximately 3800 lbs of fir boughs on Highway 22 near Stayton. During the traffic stop deputies learned the fir boughs had been unlawfully taken from the Willamette National Forest and were intended to be used commercially for creating holiday decorations. Jose Lucas Lucas, 42, and Juan Lucas Perez, 31, were both charged with the Unlawful Cutting and Transport of Special Forest Products and seized the boughs.
The illegal harvest and sales of Special Forest Products in Oregon is a continuing concern as we work to preserve the natural beauty of our outdoor recreational areas. A few examples of Special Forest Products include; Christmas trees and boughs, cones, bear grass, salal and firewood. Illegally harvested forest products are commonly used commercially in the creation of decorations, floral displays or shipped overseas. Thefts of these products are not just limited to U.S. Forest Service land, but also directly impact lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry and private timber lands.
Our Forest Patrol Deputies want to encourage members of our community to do their part to protect our outdoor spaces by reporting suspected theft of Special Forest Products. For more information about Special Forest Products and permit requirements please visit:
- U.S. Forest Service - www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/passes-permits/forestproducts
- Bureau of Land Management - https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/forests-and-woodlands/forest-product-permits
- Oregon Department of Forestry - https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Working/Pages/SpecialForestProducts.aspx
On November 16th, shortly before 7:30 pm, emergency crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire in the area of Spring Villa St SE near Grade Road SE, in rural Marion County. Deputies are assisting fire officials with notifying residents nearby to be prepared for possible evacuations. There are currently eight homes which have been placed in a “ready” status for evacuations.
At this time the fire is estimated to be approximately 10 acres in size. Fire crews from Silverton Fire District, Drakes Crossing Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry are on scene. This area has limited roadway access which needs to remain clear for firefighting apparatus. We are asking unnecessary traffic to avoid the area. The PIO is not responding to the scene.
A few minutes before 5:00 pm on November 5th, 2019, deputies were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in the 11000 block of Causey Lane SE. When deputies arrived on scene they discovered the front of the residence, a carport, and multiple vehicles were engulfed in flames.
While waiting for fire crews to arrive, deputies learned there were still two adults in the home who were unable to get out along with multiple dogs. Deputies went into the manufactured home and were able to assist an adult female and a disabled adult male out of the home. After ensuring all people were all accounted for, deputies were able to get four dogs out of the residence as well. One person from the home was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening burn injuries.
Justin Jameson, a 28-year-old Aumsville man, has been arrested in connection with this incident and has been lodged at the Marion County Jail. Jameson faces charges including Arson 1 and Assault 2. He is scheduled for arraignment on November 6th, 2019 at 3:00 pm at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex.
Detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are continuing the investigation into the events leading up to the fires. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Aumsville Rural Fire District, Sublimity Rural Fire District, Santiam Ambulance, American Red Cross and the Oregon State Police for their assistance during this response.
On November 4th, 2019, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office held a swearing in and awards ceremony in the Hall for Heroes at the State of Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Facility. Each quarter, the Sheriff’s Office takes time to recognize the important contributions our employees make to help our community, recognize leaders who have been promoted in the organization, and to formally welcome new employees who have joined the Sheriff’s Office.
During the ceremony, the following eleven employees were presented with Life Saving Awards for actions they took to prevent the loss of life in our community and within the Marion County Jail: Deputies Phil McOmber, John Gelatt, Corey Larned, Cory Breitbach, Buffy Howell, Lauren Kellogg, Cody Crites, Josue Godoy, Cynthia Houghton, and Nurses Kathleen Adams McKenzie and Jessica Villanueva. Program Coordinator Deb Giard was recognized for her efforts within the Community Corrections Division and was presented with a Meritorious Service Award. Additionally, Sr. Dep. Mark Ferron was presented with a Community Policing Award for collaborative work he has done to improve public safety in rural recreational areas of Marion County.
Sheriff Kast recognized five members of the Sheriff’s Office leadership team who earned promotions within the organization. Lieutenants Kevin Karvandi and Jeff Stutrud were promoted to Division Commanders during the ceremony. Commander Karvandi, a 22-year veteran, will be leading the Community Corrections Division and Commander Stutrud, a 20-year veteran, will be leading the Enforcement Division. Sergeants Mike Hartford, James Krieger, and Matt Meier were each promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
The Sheriff’s Office was fortunate to swear in twelve new deputies as a part of the ceremony on Monday. These new deputies bring with them a wide array of prior experience and are welcomed additions to Marion County. Deputies recognized as being a recent addition to the Sheriff’s Office or for transitioning into new roles included; Alexis Buckholz, Bethany Kreutzer, Karni Smith, Amber Smith, Christopher Burbey, Marissa Foster, Geoffrey Riedberger, Jeremy Schwab, Traci Johan, Cameron Chrisemer, Rosario Hernandez, and Eric Gonzalez.
Following the ceremony, Sheriff Kast stated, “It’s an honor be able to recognize these women and men who have chosen to be a part of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and be of service to their community.”
At approximately 2:17 pm, on November 1st, 2019, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to the report of an assault on Taylor Park Rd SE near Mobley Ln SE in rural Marion County. The caller reported their son was jogging in the area and was attacked by an unknown person who emerged out of the woods wearing a black ski mask.
The jogger told deputies the suspect was armed with a knife during the attack. The victim, an 18-year-old male, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
The victim described the suspect as being an unknown age white male, approximately 200 lbs and 6’0” tall. The unknown suspect was last seen wearing a black ski mask, black coat, and unknown color jeans. Law enforcement from multiple agencies responded to search the heavily wooded area but were unable to locate the suspect.
Detectives from the Marion Couny Sheriff’s Office are investigating the assault, no additional information is available for release at this time. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Salem Police Department and Oregon State Police during this response. If anyone has information about this incident, they are being asked to call the Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 503-588-5032.
Deputies arrested a Salem man overnight in connection with two armed robberies reported over the weekend. On October 25th, 2019, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an armed robbery in the 6000 block of Witzel Road SE. The victim told deputies they went to the location to attempt to purchase a car from a seller they met on the Let Go app, but instead were robbed at gunpoint.
Deputies were able to locate surveillance video of the suspect and requested the public’s assistance identifying the involved male. The following night, October 26th, deputies were called to another similar armed robbery in the 6600 block of Ganon St SE, near Salem. Fortunately, no one was injured during either of the robberies.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office were able to identify the suspect as Josiah Cervantes, a 20-year-old Salem man. Cervantes was contacted at his residence during the evening on October 30th, 2019, where deputies also recovered a replica of a Glock pistol, a semi-automatic BB pistol, and clothing believed to have been worn during the robberies.
Cervantes was taken into custody by deputies and has been lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges including: Robbery 1 X 2, Attempted Robbery 1, Unlawful Use of a Weapon X 4, Menacing X 4, Theft 2, and Theft 3.
Cervantes is scheduled for arraignment this afternoon at 3:00 pm at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex.
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On October 25, 2019, a 31-year-old, Portland man reported being robbed at gunpoint while attempting to purchase a vehicle in the 6000 Block of Witzel Rd SE, just south of Salem. The victim told deputies he had been talking to the suspect, known only by his screen name “Ethan”, on the LET GO APP to negotiate the purchase of a vehicle.
During the conversation about the vehicle the suspect produced a small black semi-automatic pistol and told the victim to give him all of his money. The victim got into his vehicle and drove home. There were no injuries during this robbery.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult, approximately 5’ 6”, medium build, early 20’s, short dark hair and a small goatee.
Deputies have obtained surveillance footage showing a male believed to be involved in the robbery and are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspect.
If anyone has information regarding this case or can identify the suspect, please contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency Line at 503-588-5032.
Mr. Vasquez has been safely located and is currently at an area hospital recieving assistance. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank our community members and partners in the media for their assistance sharing information about the search so quickly.
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Deputies are actively searching for Adolfo Vasquez, a 67-year-old man with dementia who was last seen on October 30th at approximately 11:30 pm. He was last seen near a care facility in the 1000 block of 62nd Court NE, just east of Salem.
The missing man, Adolfo Vasquez, was last seen wearing gray sweat pants and a blue hooded sweatshirt. He is approximately 5’7”, 225 lbs, brown eyes and is balding with gray hair. Deputies believe Mr. Vasquez could be attempting to walk to the Independence area.
Deputies are asking anyone who may have seen Mr. Vasquez or who may know his current location to call Marion County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 503-588-5032.
At the end of July 2019, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Woodburn Police Department received a tip regarding a video circulating on Instagram alleged to be of a Woodburn High School teacher engaged in an intimate act. During the investigation that followed, detectives discovered evidence the teacher had been messaging at least one student from the school using Snapchat, a social media app, which led to an intimate relationship with the underage student.
Nicholas Federico, a 38-year-old Salem man, was taken into custody at Woodburn High School earlier today and is facing the following charges: Sex Abuse II X 4, Online Sexual Corruption of a Child II, Official Misconduct I X 4. Federico teaches physical education and is the head football coach at the school. He has worked for the Woodburn School District since 2011.
Detectives are encouraging any potential victims or people with information which may be helpful to the investigation to call our tip line at 503-540-8079.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Woodburn Police Department and the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. This is an open and active investigation; no additional information is available for release at this time.
Federico has been lodged at the Marion County Jail. He is scheduled for arraignment on October 29th at 3:00 pm at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex.
On October 27, 2019, at about 3:20 am, Deputies responded to a report of gunshots being fired during a Halloween party in the 10000 Block of Portland Rd NE. When deputies arrived, they determined one person had been injured during the incident and the suspect was no longer on scene. The victim, a 26-year- old man from Myrtle Creek, was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
This is an active and ongoing investigation and there is no immediate danger to the public. No other information is available for release at this time.
A few minutes after 1:00 pm today deputies responded to a serious injury crash where two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle on Lancaster Drive NE near Monroe Avenue NE. Investigators from the Marion County multi-agency CRASH team responded to the scene and conducted a preliminary investigation.
Both pedestrians, an aunt and her nephew, were transported to an area hospital by medics. The adult, a 36-year-old female, sustained non-life threatening injuries. The child, a 3-year-old male, is currently in critical condition.
CRASH Investigators have cleared from the scene and all traffic lanes on Lancaster Drive have been reopened. This is still an active investigation; no additional information will be released at this time.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Marion County Fire District #1, Keizer Police Department, Salem Police Department, Marion County District Attorney’s Office and Marion County Public Works.
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On October 25th, 2019, at approximately 1:02 pm, deputies were dispatched to the report a vehicle had struck two pedestrians on Lancaster Drive NE at Monroe Avenue NE. The pedestrians, a 36-year-old female and a 3-year-old male, were transported to an area hospital from the scene. Their current condition is not available at this time.
The initial information indicates the involved driver was going northbound on Lancaster Drive NE in a white Honda Civic prior to striking the pedestrians. The driver remained on scene and is cooperating with investigators.
Investigators from the Marion County multi-agency CRASH team are on scene investigating. There will be lane detours on Lancaster Drive NE between Amber Street NE and Auburn Road NE for an undetermined amount of time.
On October 23rd, 2019, multiple law enforcement agencies in Marion County partnered together to conduct a county wide operation to apprehend offenders wanted on domestic violence related charges. This coordinated effort comes as local law enforcement agencies take time to focus on National Domestic Violence Awareness Month during the month of October.
During the operation, Community Corrections deputies worked directly with the Salem Police Department, Keizer Police Department, the Marion County District Attorney’s Office and patrol deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This multi-agency coordinated effort achieved the following results:
- 46 warrant service attempts
- 11 arrests
- 1 recovered stolen vehicle
- 1 DUII
Each year, domestic violence has a significant impact throughout our entire community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
Sheriff Kast stated, “I’m proud of the efforts made by our team at the Sheriff’s Office and our partner agencies to hold offenders accountable for domestic violence offenses. We strive to make a positive impact on our community and to promote public safety through investigative efforts, community education and evidence-based supervision practices.”
For more information about domestic violence, we encourage you to visit the Center for Hope & Safety’s website at hopeandsafety.org.