Deputies and investigators from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office today executed search warrants at the residence and place of employment of two Columbia County employees suspected of official misconduct. The two employees are married.

Beginning at  8:00 this morning, deputies seized official and personal records and digital files belonging to Robert and Linda Crain—both employees in the Columbia County Land Development Services (LDS) Department—during the execution of warrants served in within the Courthouse and the couple’s residence on Walker Road in the Scappoose area. 

The case began after evidence had surfaced indicating possible coercion involving the Code Enforcement and a residence in the County. Sheriff’s Office investigators identified the Crains as suspects in the case and obtained the search warrants served today with the assistance of Oregon State Police investigators.

“We learned of this case and quickly consulted with our law enforcement partners and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office to develop a plan of action,” said Sheriff Jeff Dickerson. “District Attorney Jeff Auxier’s help was critical in the development of this case, and continues to assist us in this ongoing investigation.  The level of cooperation between law enforcement and the DA’s Office  continues to grow stronger through investigations like these.”

At this time, no arrests have been made and no charges have yet been filed, although investigators are looking at Official Misconduct, Coercion, Criminal Conspiracy  and Aggregated Theft as potential charges as the case continues to be under investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office has learned, that following the execution of the warrants, County officials placed both employees on administrative leave, pending the results of the ongoing investigation.