July 9, 2020
SE Portland stabbing results in death, suspect charged with murder in the second degree
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announces the filing of a single count murder charging document against 52-year-old Stephen Lloyd Bache.
Bache is charged with one count of murder in the second degree.
There is no probable cause affidavit in this case.
As previously released by the Portland Police Bureau, this investigation started at approximately 3:45 p.m. on July 8, 2020 when officers received information about a stabbing in the 1300 block of Southeast Water Avenue.
Officers arrived and located an injured person. Paramedics transported the person to the hospital where they died.
Law enforcement located Bache near the intersection of Southeast Water Avenue and Southeast Main Street at approximately 3:51 p.m. and took him into custody.
On July 9, 2020, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the victim, 32-year-old Cody Nicholas Vickers, died of homicidal violence.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Bache is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
COVID-19 Notice:
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
July 9, 2020
Cruz Palacios-Romero receives a 41 ½ year prison sentence
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announces the sentencing of 38-year-old Cruz Palacios-Romero after a jury unanimously found him guilty of 81 counts of child-related sex crimes.
The court imposed a sentence of 41 ½ years in prison.
The jury returned its verdict on January 21, 2020 and found Palacios-Romero guilty of crimes that include rape in the first degree and sexual abuse in the third degree.
“Cruz Palacios-Romero is completely detached from the trauma he caused and has no remorse. His actions betrayed his family and caused so much pain,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Amber Kinney, who prosecuted this case. “This family’s trauma is not just in the past – it will be into the future.”
Palacios-Romero started abusing the victim when she was approximately 11-12 years old. That abuse continued on a regular occurrence until the victim was 14 years old.
DDA Kinney said it is likely Palacios-Romero picked his victim because he knew her vulnerability and the fear she and her family would have with coming forward to disclose the abuse to law enforcement.
“Mr. Palacios-Romero absolutely took advantage knowing how hard it would be for the victim, her mother and their extended family, but the victim in this case is strong and one of the most courageous young girls we have ever seen,” said DDA Kinney.
Palacios-Romero will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
The victim and her family do not want media contact. The district attorney’s office is requesting media refrain from attempting to contact them.
Furthermore, the district attorney’s Victim’s Assistance Program will continue to assist the victim and her family and will provide them with information on available community-based resources.
It was through the coordination, communication and collaboration of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team that this case was investigated and prosecuted.
The Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team includes representatives from CARES Northwest, local law enforcement, public schools, hospitals, health departments, local mental health service providers, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team works with community partners to protect children who have been abused and neglected while ensuring that all practices are trauma-informed and mitigate the life-long consequences of child abuse. The team also handles child homicides, felony child physical abuse cases, felony child abandonment cases, custodial interference cases, and felony sex crimes where the victim is currently under the age of 18 and where the suspect is determined not to be a stranger to the child.
CARES Northwest, Multnomah County’s child abuse assessment center, is a community-based medical program for the assessment, treatment and prevention of child abuse. The organization is one of the largest child abuse assessment centers in the nation and serves more than 5,000 children annually.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
July 6, 2020
Todd Allan Carr charged with murder in the second degree
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announces the filing of a single count charging document against 54-year-old Todd Allan Carr who is accused of murdering his mother.
Carr is charged with one count of murder in the second degree.
The victim, Sharon Carr, died of homicidal violence, according to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Court documents state that law enforcement responded to a disturbance on July 5, 2020 at a residence in the 400 block of Southeast 99th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. Upon arrival, law enforcement located Ms. Carr deceased in the apartment.
During a court-authorized search warrant, law enforcement located more than one knife inside the residence.
Police located Carr upon their immediate arrival. They arrested him on scene. Carr remains in the Multnomah County Detention Center.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Carr is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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. Even when a prosecutor decides to proceed with a case without a victim’s participation, every effort is made to offer the victim advocacy services from available resources.
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
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
July 6, 2020
DA’s Office files bias crimes case against 30-year-old man
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announces the filing of a five-count charging document against 30-year-old Zachary Allen Hantz for allegedly menacing and unlawfully using a weapon against a City of Portland park ranger.
It is alleged that Hantz subjected the victim to alarm by threatening to inflict serious physical injury because of his perception of the victim’s race or the color of his skin.
Court documents state that on July 5, 2020, law enforcement responded to the area of West Burnside Street and Northwest Park Avenue on an in-progress disturbance.
The victim is African American and is employed by the City of Portland and its Bureau of Parks & Recreation as a park ranger.
It is alleged that Hantz approached the victim and started walking aggressively toward the victim while yelling racial hate speech. Hantz took out a knife and pointed it toward the victim in a manner that made him believe that Hantz would use it against him and placed him in imminent fear of serious physical injury.
According to court documents, as Hantz confronted the park ranger, a community member saw the events unfolding and attempted to de-escalate the situation. The community member is also an African American male.
It is alleged that Hantz then started screaming at and pointing the knife in the direction of the community member. Law enforcement arrived and took Hantz into custody without any further incident.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned the park ranger had initially contacted a person inside the North Park Blocks when Hantz approached and confronted the victim.
Hantz is charged with one count of bias crime in the first degree, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of menacing.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Hantz is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office was an active participant of the Oregon Attorney General’s Hate Crimes Task Force and helped draft the language that was in Senate Bill 577. The law, which went into effect on July 15, 2019, renamed the crime of “intimidation” to “bias crime,” added gender identity to the list of protected categories and removed the requirement that two or more people commit the crime in order to make it a felony in certain circumstances.
All potential bias crime cases, whether they are a felony or misdemeanor, are reviewed by the Violent Crimes Unit within the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. If a misdemeanor crime is issued, the felony-level attorney will retain the case.
If you are the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. If you are the victim of a bias crime and the suspect is no longer present or if you have information about a bias crime committed in the past, call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
July 2, 2020
District Attorney releases Untested Sexual Assault Kit Project Grant Report
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill is releasing the Untested Sexual Assault Kit Project grant report.
To view a copy of the report, please click here.
District Attorney Underhill said:
Our success of becoming one of the first states to fully eliminate its sexual assault forensic evidence kit backlog and to also implement legislative policies that ensure consistent testing practices in the future is significantly tied to the investment and commitment of Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.Eliminating Oregon’s backlog of sexual assault forensic evidence kits does more than just pushing a reset button. It recognizes the mistakes of the past and helps to restore confidence in our public safety system. For too long, survivors of sexual assault were left fighting for a voice. Today, through our trauma informed practices, we work with survivors of sexual assault every day to ensure they understand their rights as crime victims. We make sure they are informed of every step of the process. We make sure that their voice is not only heard, but that we listen and that we are responsive.Locally, we achieved our success quickly because of the shared dedication of local law enforcement including the Oregon State Police Forensic Crime Laboratory. This combined effort highlights the positive outcomes possible in the criminal justice system. I am proud of the current and past members of our Untested Sexual Assault Kit Team. Their passionate commitment to public safety and victims makes our community safer and stronger.Finally, we honor Melissa Bittler – a 14 year old girl raped and murdered in Portland. TheDNA in her case identified a serial rapist and propelled significant changes with how law enforcement processes DNA evidence. “Melissa’s Law,” which, among other things, requires the timely testing of sexual assault forensic evidence kits passed in 2016, and was named after Melissa. This report is dedicated to and honors her and all other victims of sexual assault.
In 2015, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, along with the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory collaboratively initiated a project to process thousands of untested Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits in Multnomah, Marion and Lane counties.
District Attorney Underhill and others quickly identified funding from the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) and worked collectively with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit after the City of Portland received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant Program.
DANY awarded the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office a total of $1,995,453 in September 2015. Using those funds, a coordinated effort involving local law enforcement and the Oregon State Police was launched to send SAFE kits, dated 2014 or older from Multnomah, Lane and Marion counties, to a private lab in Utah for testing.
Under the DANY grant, nearly 3,000 sexual assault kits from around the state were tested.
In 2018, Oregon became one of the first five states in the country to clear its backlog of Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) kits.
In Oregon, Senate Bill 1571, known as "Melissa's Law," was the Oregon Legislature's response to ensuring all sexual assault kits, except for anonymous kits, are sent to the Oregon State Crime Laboratory for timely testing.
The Portland Police Bureau’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Workgroup, which was created in 2015, is comprised of victim-centered and trauma-informed members of the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
Results from the kits continue to be investigated and survivors of sexual assaults are being notified. The Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit encourages those who have had a SAFE kit collected prior to 2015 to contact the oseproject@portlandoregon.gov">roseproject@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0125.
Current Multnomah County SAFE kit criminal cases (as of July 2, 2020)
- State of Oregon vs Jose Oscar Rosales - 17CR29317 - Convicted in February 2018
- State of Oregon vs Curtis Clint Williams - 17CR37474 - Convicted in June 2018
- State of Oregon vs Steven Guy Tubbs - 17CR08640 - Convicted in August 2018
- State of Oregon vs Jihad Eldeen Moore - 18CR13996 – Convicted in October 2018
- State of Oregon vs Chanh Van Tran - 18CR25167 - Convicted in November 2018
- State of Oregon vs Jesse Ryan Moser – 19CR53575 – Convicted in February 2020
- State of Oregon vs Ricky Alexander Harrison - 18CR59141 - Pending trial
- State of Oregon vs Richard Timothy Ward – 19CR25495 – Pending trial
- State of Oregon vs Donnie Michael Willis Jr. – 19CR55777 – Convicted in March 2020
- State of Oregon vs Leslie L. Thornton – 11-11-34868 – Pending trial
- State of Oregon vs Timothy Nathaniel Hogue - 11-11-34868 – Pending trial
- State of Oregon vs Frank Domont Hall Jr. – 19CR77675 – Pending trial
- Secret Indictment
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
July 2, 2020
Human sex trafficking investigation results in 24-count indictment
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill is announcing the filing of a 24-count indictment against 55-year-old Tracy Steven Rasberry following a human sex trafficking investigation.
A Multnomah County grand jury charged Rasberry with 24 counts of promoting prostitution.
According to court records, the alleged crimes occurred in January and February of 2019.
Under Oregon law, a person commits the crime of promoting prostitution if, with intent to promote prostitution, they knowingly: own, control, manage, supervise or otherwise maintain a place of prostitution or a prostitution enterprise; induce or cause a person to engage in prostitution or to remain in a place of prostitution; receive or agree to receive money, goods, property, services or something else of value, other than as a prostitute being compensated for personally rendered prostitution services, pursuant to an agreement or understanding that the money, goods, property, services or something else of value is derived from a prostitution activity; or engage in any conduct that institutes, aids or facilitates an act or enterprise of prostitution.
Police located and arrested Rasberry on July 1, 2020 in the 1800 block of Northeast 122nd Avenue in Portland, Oregon.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Rasberry is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Team is litigating this case. The team includes two attorneys, an investigator and a victim advocate. Additionally, an attorney assigned to the MCDA gang unit is available to help prosecute cases and support the team as trafficking routinely intersects with gang violence.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Team works to protect victims utilizing a three-prong approach: (1) aggressively prosecuting those who traffic victims to sex buyers; (2) reducing demand for exploitation in all forms to include a dedicated focus on a reduction of sex buyers; and (3) ensuring adequate protection and support for victims of human trafficking.
If you are involved in sex trafficking, or know of someone who is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or 9-1-1.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 25, 2020
Carlos Lopez Torres sentenced to 5 years of formal probation, ordered to re-pay victims for stealing cars & illegally operating as a car business
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 52-year-old Carlos Lopez Torres received a sentence of five years of formal probation, 200 hours of community service and must pay just over $11,000 in combined restitution and compensatory fines after a judge convicted him of stealing cars, acting as a vehicle dealer without a certificate and other crimes related to him conducting a motor vehicle business without a certificate.
“No component of Mr. Lopez Torres’ business was legitimate but his crimes paid extremely well,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Demer, who prosecuted this case.
Although placed on probation today and ordered to begin community service and making payments to the victims, the court scheduled a second hearing in a year to address additional sentencing matters.
If Lopez Torres is not in compliance with the terms of his probation, the court could impose additional sanctions, to include prison time.
During a two-day trial held in February, the state presented evidence to show that Lopez Torres used a homemade tow truck to steal vehicles throughout the metro area. He then falsely completed DMV provided lien paperwork so that he could sell these vehicles to a scrap metal dealer in Portland without providing the normal ownership documents, such as a title.
Additional trial evidence showed that Lopez Torres paid a finder’s fee to others for locating vehicles for him that were easy targets to be towed. As a result of his illegal conduct, Lopez Torres made more than $100,000.
The victims who lost their vehicles were often people who could least afford to lose their vehicle.
The court found Lopez Torres guilty of two counts of trafficking in stolen vehicles, one count of acting as a vehicle dealer without a certificate, one count of conducting a motor vehicle dismantling business without a certificate, one count of false swearing related to a vehicle registration, and 96 counts of making a false statement on a title or transfer of vehicle document.
This case was prosecuted by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Demer and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Strategic Prosecution and Services Unit, which reviews cases that stem from neighborhood-specific concerns. The unit is primarily responsible for interfacing with the community over specific issues, and handles all types of cases across the criminal justice spectrum to include misdemeanors and homicides.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 24, 2020
Jeremy Joseph Christian sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole
Today, Jeremy Joseph Christian, 38, received a sentence of two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole. Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl A. Albrecht also imposed 310 months of additional prison time to be served consecutive to the life imprisonment sentences.
The court will determine the total restitution amount at a later date.
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill said upon sentencing:
“From the beginning of this case, we have seen and heard the racism and hatred cast by Jeremy Christian. His appalling actions and beliefs will never have a place in our community. Today, we focus on and remember the heroic efforts of the individuals who courageously came forward and immediately – in the face of great danger to themselves – started performing first aid and gave solace to Taliesin Namkai-Meche, Ricky Best and Micah Fletcher. We honor the first responders – the police officers, firefighters and paramedics – who found themselves in a chaotic and traumatizing-blood-soaked scene. Although we still deeply hurt, we are stronger in our resolve to stand up to and reject hate. We do so inspired by the courage, compassion and strength of Taliesin Namkai-Meche, Ricky Best, Micah Fletcher, Walio Mohamed, Destinee Mangum, Demetria Hester, Shawn Forde and so many others, including the families of Taliesin and Ricky. Every witness who testified selflessly gave their time and energy to see this through. The resulting convictions do little to ease the pain. But, they do show those who foster hate what our community can and will do to combat such evil as we move forward – together.”
District Attorney Underhill also commends the trial team of First Assistant Jeff Howes, Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Rees and Deputy District Attorneys Rachna Hajari and Ashly Crockett. This team did a fantastic job of professionally representing the State and their actions have ensured justice for the victims and community.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks the 12 individuals who dedicated their time and efforts to serve as jurors.
On February 20, 2020, the jury unanimously convicted Christian of two counts of murder in the first degree, one count of attempted murder in the first degree, one count of assault in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree, three counts of intimidation in the second degree, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of menacing.
On February 27, 2020, the jury unanimously returned its findings following a two-day sentencing phase enhancement facts trial and allowed the State to seek enhancement factors for sentencing.
A copy of the State’s sentencing recommendation can be obtained by clicking here.
Multnomah County District Attorney Victim Advocates Chanel Thomas, Julie Jacobs and Emily Hyde provided, and continue to provide, dedicated support and advocacy to the victims in this case.
Special recognition is owed to District Attorney Investigator Steve Ober and Senior Legal Assistant Tammy Ruffing for their commitment to public service and support during this case.
Portland Police Bureau Detective Michele Michaels was the lead investigator on this case. The District Attorney’s Office recognizes her, her partner Detective Bryan Steed (ret.) and the rest of the Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Detail and the Portland Police Bureau’s Detective Division for their efforts investigating this case.
In addition, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank and recognize the Gresham Police Department, the Oregon State Police, the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Northwest Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, TriMet, the Portland Fire Bureau, American Medical Response, the nurses and doctors at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, and the Oregon Department of Justice for their assistance throughout this case.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 19, 2020
Two separate bias crime cases filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the filing of two separate bias crime cases.
Keller is charged with one count of bias crime in the second degree, one count of recklessly endangering another, one count of harassment, and one count of being a felon in possession of a restricted weapon.
It is alleged that Keller subjected the victim to alarm by threatening to inflict serious physical injury because of his perception of the victim’s sexual orientation.
According to court documents, on June 11, 2020, Portland police responded to a nursing home located in the 700 block of Northeast 122nd Avenue on reports of a disturbance. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Keller had crashed his motorized chair into a woman seated in a wheelchair and that the act seemed intentional. Police spoke with several witnesses and learned that after another resident told Keller to slow down while inside with his motorized chair, Keller yelled threats, stood up and charged the man while using homophobic hate speech and threatening additional violence toward the victim. During the investigation, police learned Keller often carries a knife in the seat of his chair. Officers recovered a knife under the seat cushion of Keller’s motorized chair.
Creech is charged with one count of bias crime in the second degree, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of criminal trespass in the second degree.
It is alleged that Creech Keller subjected the victim to alarm by threatening to inflict serious physical injury because of his perception of the victim’s race or the color of his skin.
According to court documents, on June 18, 2020, the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Department of Public Safety responded to the pharmacy after receiving a panic alarm activation. When officers arrived, they saw a man, later identified as Creech, following an African American man while yelling racial hate speech. Even after being detained by officers, Creech continued to use racial hate speech and called it a “disgrace” that officers would believe the victim.
During the investigation, officers spoke with an OHSU employee and learned Creech initially approached the pharmacy in the morning and demanded his prescription be filled, according to court documents. The OHSU employee working at the time, an African American, reported Creech made threats of violence if the prescription was not quickly filled. After making the threats, Creech left the area, according to court documents.
A few hours later, Creech returned and once again confronted the OHSU employee and started yelling racial hate speech, according to court documents. After returning to the pharmacy, Creech directed his attention toward another African American man who was in the area.
Creech threatened the victim and used racial hate speech throughout the encounter. While being transported to jail by officers, Creech said he “can’t wait for you [the officer] to get shot and killed…,” according to court documents.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Keller and Creech are both innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office was an active participant of the Oregon Attorney General’s Hate Crimes Task Force and helped draft the language that was in Senate Bill 577. The law, which went into effect on July 15, 2019, renamed the crime of “intimidation” to “bias crime,” added gender identity to the list of protected categories and removed the requirement that two or more people commit the crime in order to make it a felony in certain circumstances.
All potential bias crime cases, whether they are a felony or misdemeanor, are reviewed by the Violent Crimes Unit within the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. If a misdemeanor crime is issued, the felony-level attorney will retain the case.
If you are the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. If you are the victim of a bias crime and the suspect is no longer present or if you have information about a bias crime committed in the past, call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 17, 2020
Former high school teacher, wrestling coach sentenced for luring a minor
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 31-year-old Timothy Yee, a former Aloha High School teacher and wrestling coach, received a sentence that includes 120 days of jail followed by three years of formal probation for luring a minor.
After changing his plea, the court convicted Yee of two counts of luring a minor.
By pleading guilty, Yee admitted that he unlawfully and knowingly furnished and used a visual representation of sexual conduct for the purpose of inducing a minor to engage in sexual conduct on multiple occasions between June 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018.
The victim in this case was 16 years old when these crimes occurred and was a student at Aloha High School.
This investigation started in April of 2019 when the victim disclosed that Yee previously sent her a message on social media, commented on her body’s appearance and then sent her a nude photo of himself.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned Yee sent the victim multiple nude photos and several sexually explicit videos of himself.
As part of his sentence, Yee will have to register as a sex offender. While on probation, Yee must obey all laws and has been ordered not to have any contact with the victim. He will also be required to receive sex offender treatment through Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice.
“Timothy Yee not only violated the law, but he violated and betrayed the professional and ethical standards and the trust we place in our educators,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney BJ Park, who prosecuted this case. “His actions significantly harmed the victim, her family and the school community. Mr. Yee took advantage of his position to prey on the vulnerability of a high school student and groomed her into silence until she had the courage to come forward and report this abuse.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Washington County Sheriff Detective Robert Rookhuyzen for his dedicated efforts on this case.
We also recognize District Attorney Victim Advocate Julie Jacob for the support and advocacy she provided the victim and her family throughout this case.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 16, 2020
Bias crime case initiated after 48-year-old man allegedly threatens a TriMet employee with a knife
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the filing of a four-count charging document against 48-year-old Dorian Cannon who is accused of intentionally placing an essential employee in fear of imminent serious physical injury due to his perception of the victim’s race and the color of his skin.
Cannon is charged with one count of bias crime in the first degree, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of menacing and one count of interfering with public transportation.
The victim is African American and is employed as a TriMet operator.
It is alleged that on June 15, 2020, Cannon used racial hate speech to describe the victim after he threatened the driver with a knife.
According to court documents, on June 15, Portland police received information about a disturbance at the Parkrose Transit Station involving a man, later identified as Cannon, hanging onto a bus window and preventing the bus from moving. While officers responded, they received additional information that Cannon pulled out a knife and attempted to board the bus through the driver’s window and that he was poking the window with the knife.
The bus driver told police that Cannon approached the bus while the driver prepared to start his route, according to court documents. The driver told Cannon that he could not board and needed to go to a designated pick up location.
The driver reported Cannon became irate and grabbed onto the bus windshield wiper. When the driver attempted to move the bus, Cannon jumped in front of the vehicle and started poking the window of the bus with the knife, according to court documents.
Police took Cannon into custody without further incident. When questioned by an officer, Cannon used racial hate speech when providing an account of the incident, according to court documents.
According to court records, a judge convicted Cannon of one count of criminal mischief in the first degree and one count of bias crime in the second degree for a bias crime that occurred on December 10, 2019 that also involved Cannon using racial hate speech toward a TriMet bus driver. That case is documented under C# 19CR80222.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Cannon is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office was an active participant of the Oregon Attorney General’s Hate Crimes Task Force and helped draft the language that was in Senate Bill 577. The law, which went into effect on July 15, 2019, renamed the crime of “intimidation” to “bias crime,” added gender identity to the list of protected categories and removed the requirement that two or more people commit the crime in order to make it a felony in certain circumstances.
All potential bias crime cases, whether they are a felony or misdemeanor, are reviewed by the Violent Crimes Unit within the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. If a misdemeanor crime is issued, the felony-level attorney will retain the case.
If you are the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. If you are the victim of a bias crime and the suspect is no longer present or if you have information about a bias crime committed in the past, call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 15, 2020
Jonathan Paul Rogers receives a 20 year prison sentence for sexually assaulting two children
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 34-year-old Jonathan Paul Rogers received a 20 year prison sentence for sexually assaulting two children.
After changing his plea, the court convicted Rogers of one count of sodomy in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse in the first degree and one count of attempted unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree.
This investigation started in December of 2018 when Portland Police School Resource Officer Heidi Kreis gave a presentation to students at a local school about sexual harassment.
While Officer Kreis was at the school, a 12 year old girl reported someone she knows had been touching her for years. The child told Officer Kreis that the abuse was still happening and also involved another minor.
The abuse was immediately reported the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline and the Multnomah County Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team launched an investigation.
When questioned by police, Rogers admitted he sexually abused both girls.
In a victim’s impact statement addressed to the court, the victims’ mother said:
This case was prosecuted by Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Officer Heidi Kreis and Gresham Police Detective Aaron Dressler for their dedicated efforts investigating this case.
We also recognize DA Victim Advocate Malia Bruni for the support and advocacy she provided the victims throughout this case.
It was through the coordination, communication and collaboration of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team that this case was investigated and prosecuted.
The Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team includes representatives from CARES Northwest, local law enforcement, public schools, hospitals, health departments, local mental health service providers, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team works with community partners to protect children who have been abused and neglected while ensuring that all practices are trauma-informed and mitigate the life-long consequences of child abuse. The team also handles child homicides, felony child physical abuse cases, felony child abandonment cases, custodial interference cases, and felony sex crimes where the victim is currently under the age of 18 and where the suspect is determined not to be a stranger to the child.
CARES Northwest, Multnomah County’s child abuse assessment center, is a community-based medical program for the assessment, treatment and prevention of child abuse. The organization is one of the largest child abuse assessment centers in the nation and serves more than 5,000 children annually.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
June 11, 2020
Two separate bias crime cases filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the filing of two separate bias crime cases involving TriMet employees being attacked due to the perception of their race and the color of their skin.
On June 10, 2020, a Multnomah County grand jury charged Bernbeck with one count of bias crime in the second degree, one count of harassment and two counts of interfering with public transportation.
The victim is African American, and is employed as a TriMet operator.
According to court documents, on March 16, the driver ended his bus route in downtown Portland, and announced that all passengers needed to exit the bus. Bernbeck, a white male, attempted to exit but the rear door was locked. Bernbeck moved to the front of the bus and tried opening the door but did so in the wrong direction. The bus operator unlocked the rear exit and told Bernbeck to depart using the back door.
Bernbeck then turned toward the victim and spit a large volume of saliva in the victim’s face, according to court documents. The victim reported some of Bernbeck’s saliva partially entered his mouth.
As Bernbeck walked toward the rear of the bus, he started using racial hate speech toward the victim, according to court documents.
When the victim attempted to exit the bus, Bernbeck headed directly toward the victim and “postured as if he was going to spit in the victim’s face again,” according to court documents.
Bernbeck is currently in custody at the Oregon State Correctional Institution on an unrelated matter.
On June 10, 2020, a Multnomah County grand jury charged Delong with one count of bias crime in the first degree, one count of menacing and one count of disorderly conduct in the second degree.
The victim is African American, and is employed as a TriMet supervisor.
According to court documents, on May 26, 2020, the victim received information about a TriMet bus operator needing assistance at the Barbur Transit Center. The victim responded in his official capacity as a TriMet supervisor and saw a TriMet bus leaving the area with a person, later identified as Delong, hitting the side of the bus.
Delong, a white male, started screaming and running toward the victim using racial hate speech, according to court documents.
The victim reported Delong clenched both of his hands into fists and started swinging them in a windmill form as he approached, according to court documents.
The victim said he was extremely fearful that Delong would cause serious physical injury so he raised his hands above his head with his palms facing Delong and pleaded for him to stop, according to court documents.
Delong refused to stop so the victim ran away, but was chased. Eventually, the victim got inside his car, locked the doors and called police.
Delong is not in custody. There is an active arrest warrant filed with the court.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Bernbeck and Delong are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office was an active participant of the Oregon Attorney General’s Hate Crimes Task Force and helped draft the language that was in Senate Bill 577. The law, which went into effect on July 15, 2019, renamed the crime of “intimidation” to “bias crime,” added gender identity to the list of protected categories and removed the requirement that two or more people commit the crime in order to make it a felony in certain circumstances.
All potential bias crime cases, whether they are a felony or misdemeanor, are reviewed by the Violent Crimes Unit within the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. If a misdemeanor crime is issued, the felony-level attorney will retain the case.
If you are the victim of a bias crime assault or you are witnessing one, immediately call 9-1-1. If you are the victim of a bias crime and the suspect is no longer present or if you have information about a bias crime committed in the past, call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
COVID-19 Notice
The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.
For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director | Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us