PORTLAND DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO 90 MONTHS PRISON - 07/29/26

Cases:                                                                                           July 29, 2026
25CR32915

25CR65663

26CR19601

26CR22213

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Bottomly sentenced 58-year-old Elliott Ernest Mejia to 90 months prison after he pleaded guilty to several charges on Tuesday Jul 28, 2026.

Mejia pled guilty to the following charges:

In case 25CR32915 

Count 2 Distribution of a Controlled Substance Schedule Two Drug.

In case 25CR65663

Count 1 Distribution of a Controlled Substance- Fentanyl.

In case 26CR19601

Count 1 Distribution of a Controlled Substance- Fentanyl

In case 26CR22213

Count 1 Unauthorized Use of a Weapon.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the case for the state.

After the plea and sentencing he said, “Basically, he is contributing to the epidemic that we have in our society where people are suffering on a daily basis from drug use. And he flagrantly does not care about the laws. This is our office saying enough is enough. We are frankly sick of seeing people dealing and taking advantage of our most vulnerable population.This is a master class from CCTV from TriMet and the Transit Police team because they were able to identify Mr. Mejia as a dealer in the area and arrest him after observing his flagrant dealing.”

TriMet Chief Safety and Security Officer Andrew Wilson said “This is a perfect example of why TriMet values our partnership with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office – our law enforcement lead for the Transit Police Division – and fellow law enforcement agencies.Through proactive police work, collaboration with TriMet security staff, and prosecution, those committing serious crimes such as this are removed from the community, increasing safety both on our transit system and in the surrounding area.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the TriMet CCTV team, the Transit Police, and the Portland Police Bureau for their excellent work on this case.

The Facts:

In 2025 during an enhanced safety mission around East 122nd and Burnside investigators using TriMet cameras in the area noticed the defendant selling drugs.

The Transit Police Division, under the law enforcement leadership of Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, conducts enhanced enforcement missions along TriMet’s main transit lines to increase public safety for the agency’s riders and employees. Transit Police personnel have focused on the area around East 122nd and Burnside to address challenges both on the MAX Blue Line and in the surrounding neighborhood. During such a mission in 2025 involving Transit Police, Gresham Police Department and TriMet staff, a TriMet employee monitoring one of the transit agency’s more than 10,000 security cameras first witnessed Mr. Meija conducting a drug deal and alerted Transit Police. 

                                        ###MCDA###

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESULTED IN MURDER AND LIFE IN PRISON - 07/27/26

July 27, 2026

Portland, OR

Case: 23CR34007

On July 23, 2026, a jury found 62-year-old Vincent Scoggins guilty of Murder in the Second Degree Constituting Domestic Violence and Unlawful Use of a Weapon Constituting Domestic Violence.

On July 27, 2026 - Mr. Scoggins was sentenced. On the Murder in the Second Degree charge he received a life sentence – minimum 25 years, on the Unlawful Use of a Weapon charge he received 30 months in prison to run concurrent.

THE FACTS:

According to evidence adduced at trial, at approximately 1:30am on Monday, August 8, 2022, Vincent Scoggins called 911 saying he arrived home and found his girlfriend, Penelope “Penny” Fegan, deceased inside their residence located in the Beverly Grove Apartments. When first responders arrived, it was apparent that Fegan had been deceased for some time. There were catastrophic observable injuries to her head and evidence ultimately established that she’d been struck approximately 10-12 times with a hammer. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the cause of Fegan’s death was blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of her death was homicide.

The investigation revealed that Scoggins and Fegan’s relationship was marred by domestic violence. A common point of tension between them was Scoggins' abuse of methamphetamine. During prior arguments, Scoggins threatened to “bash [Fegan's] head in” and to kill her if she ever left him. Detectives learned that Scoggins relapsed and used meth the weekend before the murder and, as a result, Fegan told him she was leaving the relationship. Evidence presented at trial established that Fegan was actively making plans to move from their shared apartment when she was killed. Scoggins denied being involved in Fegan’s murder, however, and reported that he returned home and found her deceased.

This case was investigated over the course of nearly a year. Detectives pieced together Fegan’s last days and Scoggin’s movements through video surveillance, traffic cameras, phone records, and interviews with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. They collected information that proved Scoggins had lied to detectives about multiple significant topics and that he had attempted to cover up his involvement in the crime.  With the assistance of the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, DNA testing and bloodstain pattern analysis was conducted. That testing ultimately produced evidence that was crucial to establishing Scoggins’ guilt. He was then arrested and charged with the murder.

Over nearly two weeks, a Multnomah County jury heard evidence in the case and ultimately found Scoggins guilty on all charged counts.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin and Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero prosecuted the case for the state. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of the Portland Police Bureau, especially the tireless efforts of lead detective Eric McDaniel and the Homicide Detail. MCDA would also like to thank the Oregon State Police Crime Lab for completing extensive forensic testing throughout this investigation and Victim Advocate Kristen Stowell for compassionately supporting Fegan’s family for nearly four years.

DDA Devin Franklin said of Fegan, “Penny Fegan was a truly good person with a bright and colorful personality. She was adored by her family, friends, and coworkers and her absence continues to be felt by those who knew and loved her. This case underscores the devastating reality of domestic violence— and the need to take any and all warning signs seriously. We were honored to advocate for justice for Penny and we hope this verdict brings some sense of peace and healing to her family.”

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit is committed to ending family abuse. The unit engages in evidence-based prosecution of domestic violence. It emphasizes the importance of victim advocacy services for all victims and their children.

Resources:

• Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office: Victim Assistance Program: 503-988-3222
• Call to Safety: 1-888-235-5333
• The Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services: 503-988-6400

###MCDA###

PORTLAND AREA PODIATRIST CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING MULTIPLE PATIENTS - 07/09/26

CASE: 23CR60386                                                                                     July 9, 2026

Portland, OR- Brian Bowen, a 52-year old former podiatrist pled guilty today to multiple counts of sexual abuse involving a dozen of his female patients. He was convicted earlier of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree in a bench trial held in front of Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Albrecht. The conduct underlying the charges involves the sexual abuse of patients within medical settings.

Today, Bowen pled guilty to:

Count 2: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 3: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 5: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 6: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 7: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 10: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 12: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 13: Sexual Abuse by Fraudulent Representation

Count 15: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 16: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

Count 21: Sexual Abuse by Fraudulent Representation

Count 24: Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree

As mentioned earlier, the defendant was convicted of Count 9: Sexual Abuse in the First Degree following a bench trial.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to highlight the excellent work of Portland Police Detectives David McCormick and Nathan Wollstein in this case.

The DA’s Office would also like to thank MCDA Victim Advocates Alie Aguilera, Amina Dureti and Aylin Salas-Lara for the care and compassion they showed the victims in this case.

Brian Bowen now faces more than eight years in prison.

He is scheduled to be sentenced August 14^th at 1:30pm

.

                                                                                                        ###MCDA###

HATE CRIME EARNS PORTLAND MAN 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE - (resending To Fix Name Spelling For Detective And Our Prosecutor) - 07/08/26

HATE CRIME EARNS PORTLAND MAN 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

Case: 25CR38593

Portland, OR- A Portland area man who set his apartment on fire, threatening the lives of many who lived the same complex, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on July 8, 2026 by Multnomah County Judge Christopher Marshall. Two people were seriously injured during the fire.

Shaun Michael Szwarz, 41-years-old pled guilty to the following crimes:

 

Two counts of Assault in the First Degree.

Assault in the Second Degree.

Four counts of Bias Crime in the First Degree.

One count of Arson in the First Degree.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Elena Langer prosecuted the case for the state.

After the sentencing she said:

“The 20-year sentence in this case is one that brings justice to the victims and makes our community safer. It was my honor to work with individuals impacted by this horrific event including Abraham Olmos. He shared how deeply these crimes, the arson and the bias crimes, affected him and his family. The incredible investigative work of Portland Police Bureau Detective Meredith Hopper and her team allowed me to put together a case that resulted in a plea instead of a trial. This sentence is the culmination of all the experiences of the victims at the Vandalay Arms Apartments and law enforcement’s diligent work on the case. I am proud to be part of delivering this community the justice it deserves.”

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez also commented on this case.

“When we see a hate crime like this, this is a crime that transcends and goes beyond the victims and harms our entire community. And that's why you are seeing a real sentence of 20 years in prison because this is something that this office takes seriously. We are always going to be standing with the victim when we see such horrible crimes occur and doing everything we can to work with them. Further, when we see a crime that so deeply impacts our community we are going to do everything in our power to make sure that individual is held accountable and responsible. We want to send a clear message to this community. Hate will not be tolerated.”

 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize Portland Police Bureau Detective Meredith Hopper. We also want to highlight the excellent work of members of Portland Fire and Rescue including Fire Investigator Erin Spens, Senior Investigator Jason Andersen, Lieutenant Craig Gault, Lieutenant Wendy Stanley, Lieutenant Elizabeth Thompson and Fire Investigator Rick Strubelt.

Our office would also like to highlight the excellent work of MCDA Victim Advocate Karla Juarez.

THE FACTS:

 

According to the probable cause affidavit in the case, on July 11, 2025 around 5:52 am, the defendant started a fire in his apartment building which quickly spread to three floors. Two people, living in the apartment above the defendant’s were taken to the hospital with significant burns. One of them also had broken bones after dropping from their balcony to escape the flames. 

Several people who live in the same apartment building identified the defendant as the suspect. They told investigators they saw or heard the defendant running around outside and yelling profanities just before the fire began.

The upstairs neighbor told police that the conduct was typical of the defendant and happened about once a week. The neighbor also told investigators that another neighbor, a black man walked past the defendant’s window and yelled at the defendant after the defendant yelled several profanities including the n-word.

A former girlfriend told investigators the defendant set her room on fire in 2023 after a fight.

                                                         ###MCDA###

HATE CRIME EARNS PORTLAND MAN 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE - 07/08/26

Case: 25CR38593

Portland, OR- A Portland area man who set his apartment on fire, threatening the lives of many who lived the same complex, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on July 8, 2026 by Multnomah County Judge Christopher Marshall. Two people were seriously injured during the fire.

Shaun Michael Szwarz, 41-years-old pled guilty to the following crimes:

 

Two counts of Assault in the First Degree.

Assault in the Second Degree.

Four counts of Bias Crime in the First Degree.

One count of Arson in the First Degree.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Elana Langer prosecuted the case for the state.

After the sentencing she said:

“The 20-year sentence in this case is one that brings justice to the victims and makes our community safer. It was my honor to work with individuals impacted by this horrific event including Abraham Olmos. He shared how deeply these crimes, the arson and the bias crimes, affected him and his family. The incredible investigative work of Portland Police Bureau Detective Meredith Hopper and her team allowed me to put together a case that resulted in a plea instead of a trial. This sentence is the culmination of all the experiences of the victims at the Vandalay Arms Apartments and law enforcement’s diligent work on the case. I am proud to be part of delivering this community the justice it deserves.”

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez also commented on this case.

“When we see a hate crime like this, this is a crime that transcends and goes beyond the victims and harms our entire community. And that's why you are seeing a real sentence of 20 years in prison because this is something that this office takes seriously. We are always going to be standing with the victim when we see such horrible crimes occur and doing everything we can to work with them. Further, when we see a crime that so deeply impacts our community we are going to do everything in our power to make sure that individual is held accountable and responsible. We want to send a clear message to this community. Hate will not be tolerated.”

 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize Portland Police Bureau Detective Meredith Hooper. We also want to highlight the excellent work of members of Portland Fire and Rescue including Fire Investigator Erin Spens, Senior Investigator Jason Andersen, Lieutenant Craig Gault, Lieutenant Wendy Stanley, Lieutenant Elizabeth Thompson and Fire Investigator Rick Strubelt.

Our office would also like to highlight the excellent work of MCDA Victim Advocate Karla Juarez.

THE FACTS:

 

According to the probable cause affidavit in the case, on July 11, 2025 around 5:52 am, the defendant started a fire in his apartment building which quickly spread to three floors. Two people, living in the apartment above the defendant’s were taken to the hospital with significant burns. One of them also had broken bones after dropping from their balcony to escape the flames. 

Several people who live in the same apartment building identified the defendant as the suspect. They told investigators they saw or heard the defendant running around outside and yelling profanities just before the fire began.

The upstairs neighbor told police that the conduct was typical of the defendant and happened about once a week. The neighbor also told investigators that another neighbor, a black man walked past the defendant’s window and yelled at the defendant after the defendant yelled several profanities including the n-word.

A former girlfriend told investigators the defendant set her room on fire in 2023 after a fight.

                                                         ###MCDA###