RAPIST CONVICTED ON ALL COUNTS AFTER RETRIAL FOLLOWING NON UNANIMOUS JURY 30 YEARS AGO -04/18/25

April 18, 2025

Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury today found James Donald Jackson (dob May 19, 1964)  guilty on charges of Rape in the First Degree and Sex Abuse in the First Degree, which stemmed from an incident that occurred in June of 1994. 

The case was retried because the jury who heard the case in 1995  did not return unanimous convictions on all counts. Some were unanimous and some were not.

In 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled in Ramos v. Louisiana, that the Sixth Amendment’s right to a jury trial requires a unanimous verdict on every count in state criminal trials. As a result, significant convictions have been overturned, necessitating new trials when public safety and victim protection is impacted by the reversals.

The jury verdict today was unanimous. 

Deputy District Attorneys Jazmyn Ortiz and Chris Rothfus prosecuted the case for the state. 

After the verdict Rothfus said: “This verdict is a testament to the victim's strength and courage to come back to court more than 30 years later and tell the jury this crime did happen, to hold James Donald Jackson accountable and to ensure that he cannot hurt anyone else.”

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero supervises the prosecutors on the case and followed it closely.

After the verdict, she said:

“We are extremely thankful that the jury was clearly able to see the terror experienced by Ms. Countryman in 1994. She has shown extraordinary strength both when she was an 18 year old girl, and now more than 30 years later in holding her rapist accountable.”

“I am exceptionally proud of our deputies for the work put into this case and we’re thankful for the good work of the Portland Police Detectives back in 1994. I’m also thankful for the willingness of Ms. Countryman and all the witnesses to come back to ensure that justice is done and a dangerous individual is kept off the streets.”

The victim is Amy Countryman. She has given us permission to use her name here. She arrived in Portland back in 1994 from Indiana. She moved to Portland because she had friends here and was hoping to find a job and start her future. She met the defendant at Pioneer Courthouse Square and he seemed nice.

Then he took her to a playground, threatened her with a gun and raped her. 

After the verdict today Amy Countryman said:

“I would like to thank the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and notably Melissa Marrero, DDA’s Jazmyn Ortiz and Chris Rothfus, as well as Victim Advocate Suzanne Rapagnani for their incredible perseverance, hard work, and support as they fought to keep rapist James Donald Jackson behind bars. Portland is a safer place thanks to them! Going through this trial is one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I am so grateful for all their work and care.”

After his original convictions for these crimes Jackson was sentenced as a Dangerous Offender and could have been held in prison more than 50 years,  potentially until 2048. If he was found not guilty of these charges in this current trial, he could have been released by the end of this year.

With the guilty verdicts, he will now have another Dangerous Offender hearing at a later date.

                           #### MCDA ####

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Announces Launch Of Veterans Treatment Court -04/17/25

                                                                                                4/17/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR- The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce the official launch of the Multnomah County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a specialized court designed to support justice-involved veterans through treatment, accountability, and community support.

Following two years of collaboration and planning, the VTC is now fully operational and actively accepting participants.

Air Force veteran Judge Christopher Ramras will preside over the court. Representing the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is Deputy District Attorney Chris Huettemeyer, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran. Defense representation will be provided by attorneys from Metropolitan Public Defenders and Multnomah Defenders, Inc., both of whom have also shown strong support for the initiative.

Staffed by a team with deep ties to military service, the VTC is built on the belief that honoring the sacrifices of our veterans means ensuring they receive the resources and care they need. Court sessions will be held every other Thursday at 1:30 PM.

The Veterans Treatment Court is grounded in the philosophy that public safety is best served by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior among qualifying veterans—particularly untreated trauma, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges. By offering treatment-focused supervision rather than incarceration, the VTC aims to break the cycle of reoffending and create lasting change.

“The goal is to help veterans change the behaviors that led to their involvement in the justice system,” said DDA Chris Huettemeyer. “This program gives them the structure and support they need to address mental health and substance use issues, while holding them accountable in a meaningful way. It’s a way of turning ‘thank you for your service’ into real action.”

Huettemeyer added:

“I’m very excited to be part of this Veterans Treatment Court. I did 20 years in the Army as a helicopter pilot and deployed four times. This program honors our victims, improves public safety, and gives our veterans a chance to address the issues that brought them here. The collaborative nature of this court—between prosecutors, defense attorneys, the judge, and service providers—is what will make it successful.”

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez echoed that sentiment:

“In my 25 years as a prosecutor, I’ve seen many cases involving veterans where I knew services were out there—I just wished we had a way to connect them. This court makes that connection. It’s about more than accountability; it’s about building a pathway to healing, both for the individual and for our community.”

The Multnomah County Veterans Treatment Court stands as a commitment to those who served, and a recognition that supporting their successful reintegration makes all of us safer and stronger.

                                       #####MCDA######

PORTLAND AREA MAN CONVICTED ON 58 COUNTS OF SEX ABUSE INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS-FACES MINIMUM 25 YEARS PRISON -04/16/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2025

Case: 23CR46293

Portland, OR-  A Multnomah County jury on Tuesday April 15, 2025,  found Rafael Gonzalez-Rodirguez Jr. guilty on 58 counts of sex abuse involving two young girls. 

The defendant was convicted on six counts of Rape in the First Degree, and 21 counts of Sex Abuse in the First Degree, along with multiple counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, Sex Abuse in the Second Degree, Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, and Sodomy in the Third Degree.

The victims disclosed the sexual abuse in September 2023 to close friends/neighbors, who immediately called the child abuse hotline.  This prompted an immediate response from the Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services, and a cross report to law enforcement.  The victims were seen at CARES NW shortly thereafter, where they disclosed historic sexual abuse that began when they were 5-6 years old and continued for years until their disclosure.  The defendant was the former boyfriend of the victims mother.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Rachna Hajari prosecuted the case for the state.

After the guilty verdicts she said:  

"What happened to these victims at the hands of the defendant was unimaginable.  Though the trauma of the sexual abuse will be a part of their lives forever, I hope these convictions and the jury believing the victims will bring them some comfort on their journey of healing and recovery. 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and this case serves as a reminder that our office believes children, and believes in holding the people who harm children in horrific ways accountable for their conduct."

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Gresham Police Department for their hard work on this case.

We also want to acknowledge the compassionate and sensitive care extended to the victims and their family by MCDA Victim Advocate Alie Aguilera.

Gonzalez-Rodirguez Jr faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. 

The state will ask that the Court impose a lengthier sentence than the mandatory minimum. 

                                             ##MCDA##

PORTLAND MAN SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHOOTING OF A MAN TRYING TO PROTECT HIS SON’S CAR FROM PROWLERS -04/14/25

April 14, 2025

Multnomah County District Court Judge Christopher Ramras sentenced Joe Luna Roy to 70 months prison on a charge of Assault in the Second Degree. Roy was involved in an incident that led to the shooting of Jose Cano on April 17, 2023.

Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer prosecuted the case for the state. He said key information on Roy, who handed the gun to the shooter, came in from an anonymous emailer.

He said “We were fortunate to get a lead on the identity of the shooter in this case fairly early on, then further investigation to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was him. But we were still, it felt, left at a dead end as to the identity of the person who passed the gun to that shooter. And if it were not for this anonymous person that sent us this information, we wouldn't be here today. I think this case is proof that justice for victims sometimes depends on just one person coming forward. I know there are people out there right now that have information on other cases. It might not feel like much to them to type out an email or make a quick phone call, but it means everything to these victims.”

(Anyone with information on other cases is encouraged to call the DA's office at 503-988-3162.)

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detectives Brian Dale and Ty Garrison for their outstanding work. We’d also like to acknowledge the hard work of MCDA Victim Advocate Suzanne Rapagnani for her kind and compassionate care for the victims of this case. 

THE FACTS:

On April 17, 2023, at around 4:30am, police were sent to a report of a shooting near the intersection of NE Caruthers St. and NE 124th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. When they arrived at the scene, they found victim Jose Cano had been shot and was laying on the ground at SE 124th Ave. He was shot in the chest.  Mr. Cano remained hospitalized for several weeks and was given a five percent chance of survival by his treating physicians. 

Mr. Cano’s stepson told officers Mr. Cano had confronted two individuals whom he had seen breaking into the stepson’s parked vehicle, a silver Hyundai Elantra. 

The stepson stated that Cano confronted the car prowlers with a baseball bat and that one of the two individuals shot Cano with a firearm. Part of the altercation was captured on a doorbell camera. 

After the anonymous tip came in, police tracked down Roy and questioned him about the shooting. After he was shown the video, he confessed that he had handed the gun to the shooter Nathan Isenberg.

Nathan Darren Isenberg was prosecuted and took his case to trial. Mr. Isenberg was convicted on December 6, 2024 of Attempted Murder, Assault in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He was sentenced to nine years, five months in prison (114 months).

GUILTY PLEA IN MARINE DRIVE DUII CRASH SENDS WOMAN TO PRISON -04/14/25

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Jenna Plank today sentenced Maria Moncada to 75 months in the Department of Corrections for Manslaughter in the Second Degree for the death of Bonny Heyn.

INCIDENT:

On February 23, 2024, the Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team responded to a two vehicle crash along NE Marine Drive where a black BMW driven by Maria Moncada struck a vehicle parked on the shoulder. The occupant of the other vehicle died at the scene. Witnesses told police they saw a black BMW driving recklessly shortly before the crash. Moncada reached speeds of 104 mph before losing control and hitting the parked car. Officers observed several signs of alcohol impairment from Moncada and the Oregon State Crime Lab found her blood alcohol concentration in the triple digits.

PLEA & SENTENCING:

Deputy District Attorney Kenzie Ludwig represented the prosecution, which resulted in a negotiated plea agreement with Defendant and her attorney. Judge Jenna Plank accepted the plea on April 14, 2025, and sentenced Ms. Moncada as follows:

• 75 months in the Department of Corrections for Manslaughter in the Second Degree

• 364 days jail concurrent for Driving Under the Influence with BAC over .15%

Additionally, Ms. Moncada will serve three years of post-prison supervision. 

The Multnomah District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Victim Advocate Amina Dureti for her endless support to the victim’s family. Further, thank you to the Major Crash Team and lead investigator Chase Fullington for the extensive and full investigation. 

2015 COLD CASE RESULTS IN RAPE CONVICTION TESTING OF OLD RAPE KITS HELPED -04/11/25

April 11, 2025

Case#: 22CR50396

Portland, OR- Judge Thomas Ryan found Daniel Luis Cassinelli guilty today on charges of Rape in the First Degree, two counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, and two counts of Sex Abuse in the Second Degree. 

The case dates back to 2015 when Cassinelli, who was working as a loss prevention officer at a Portland area Rite Aid caught the victim shoplifting. He took her into the basement of the store and raped her. 

Deputy District Attorney Quinn Zemel prosecuted the case for the state. After the conviction he said: 

“Victims, no matter their background or life circumstances deserve to be believed, and will be believed.”

“As part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative even old cases can still be brought forward. Its never too late for justice.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank retired Portland Police Investigator Matthew Irvine and Portland Police Detective Matthew Brown for their tremendous work on this case.

We would also like to acknowledge the work of MCDA Victim Advocate Alliston Miller who did a fantastic job working with the victim during the ordeal of the trial.

Facts: 

On 1/21/15 The victim reported to police that she was sexually assaulted in the loss prevention office of a Rite Aid. She reported that she was caught shoplifting by an LPO (later ID'd as Daniel Cassinelli), defendant. The defendant escorted her alone to loss prevention office where he sexually assaulted and then raped her. After the assault, the defendant walked the victim to the surveillance room where he showed her the cameras and explained he had been watching her for quite some time. He told her not to tell anyone about the incident and he would not report her to the police. She got on a bus to Beaverton where she contacted a transit officer to report the rape. Police identify the defendant by talking to Rite Aid management about who was on duty and by reviewing video footage. She eventually separated from the case because of life circumstances and the case went cold. .

In October 2021, Detective Irvine picked up the case through the SAKI (sexual assault kit initiative) grant. He got in contact with her and she gave another account that was largely consistent. Irvine reviews the video footage in depth and identifies the defendant and victim going to the LPO office and then the surveillance room. They are in the office for over 20 minutes. Records from Rite-Aid show that the defendant had stopped the victim in two prior instances and wrote reports for those contacts, however, no report was written for this lengthy interaction during the assault. Irvine learns the defendant would have been in violation of policy by being alone with a female in the office and by not writing a report. 

Eventually, enough evidence was gained to bring an indictment and trial.

Cassinelli faces a mandatory minimum of 100 months in prison. Sentencing is set for July 11, 2025.

                                                ##MCDA##

LIFE COMMITMENT TO PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW BOARD (PSRB) SUPERVISION -04/11/25

Office of the District Attorney

Nathan Vasquez

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Contact:

Pat Dooris

Communications Director

media@mcda.us

For Immediate Release

April 11, 2025

LIFE COMMITMENT TO PSYCHIATRIC SECURITY REVIEW

BOARD (PSRB) SUPERVISION

FACTS:

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Katherine von Ter Stegge has found Joseph Kelly Banks guilty except for insanity on three counts of murder in the second degree, three counts of attempted murder in the second degree, three counts of assault in the first degree, three counts of assault in the second degree, and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The Defendant was committed to the custody of the Oregon State Hospital and ordered to lifetime supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board. 

Victim Isaiah Hurst was murdered on the morning of Sunday January 2, 2022. The investigation determined that Mr. Hurst was driving home from breakfast as he paused at an intersection for a morning jogger. Surveillance footage captured the Defendant’s vehicle drive alongside Mr. Hurst’s driver door as several gunshots rang out. The Defendant sped away as Mr. Hurst’s vehicle came to a stop. Mr. Hurst was pronounced deceased at the scene. Detectives recovered eight 9mm shell casings. 

Victim Jeff Ramirez was murdered on February 2, 2022 near the intersection of SE 119th Avenue and Stark Street. Mr. Ramirez was seated in his truck as the Defendant approached and fired the same 9mm gun multiple times. Again, the Defendant sped away in his vehicle. Multiple witnesses rendered aid to Mr. Ramirez during his final moments. Law enforcement collected 9mm shell casings that were determined to have come from the same firearm involved in the murder of Isaiah Hurst. 

After shooting Jeff Ramirez, the Defendant sped down Stark Street and fired the same weapon at a pedestrian, victim Stephen Barrera. The Defendant again sped away. Mr. Barrera ran into a nearby business that provided aid until medics could arrive. Mr. Barrera was seriously injured as a result of Defendant’s shooting. 

The Defendant shot two more people on February 28, 2022. The Defendant shot victim Lillian Cloud near NE Stanton and Williams at 4:50 PM. The Defendant approached Lillian Cloud, demanding to know where they were from and suggesting they did not belong there. Lillian Cloud was shot as they attempted to flee. Lillian Cloud survived the shooting, but was seriously injured. The Defendant then shot victim Thad Thomas near the Maple Mallory Apartments at 5:23 PM. Mr. Thomas was shot as he was entering his vehicle with his partner and infant child. Mr. Thomas later reported that the driver of a dark colored SUV stopped and asked Mr. Thomas if he worked for the government prior to shooting him. Mr. Thomas survived, but was seriously injured. Law enforcement recovered 9mm shell casings at the scene of both shootings that matched the murders of Isaiah Hurst and Jeff Ramirez.  

The Defendant shot and murdered Mark Johnson the following day, March 1, 2022, at approximately 12:04 PM. The Defendant used the same 9mm firearm to shoot Mr. Johnson at Dawson Park before fleeing. Mr. Johnson was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Law enforcement arrested the Defendant the following day, March 2, 2022. Subsequent to his arrest, the Defendant was evaluated by three separate forensic psychologists that separately concluded Defendant was guilty except for insanity, meaning that he suffered from schizophrenia and lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct and to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Eric Zimmerman and Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer prosecuted the case for the state. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to express its sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Further, MCDA would like to thank Portland Police Bureau detectives Foote, Gandy, and Pontius for their investigative work on this case. We would also like to thank victim advocates Alex Bidwell, Lyssa Simmons and Alie Aguilera for their kind and compassionate work with the victim’s families before and during this trial.

PORTLAND MAN WILL SERVE LIFE IN PRISON AFTER CONVICTION FOR MURDER OUTSIDE GENTLEMEN’S CLUB. PAROLE POSSIBLE AFTER 25 YEARS -04/10/25

PORTLAND, Oregon-April 8, 2025. A Multnomah County jury found Damariea Ramone Harris guilty today on all counts related to the execution style killing of Marieo Camel-Harris and the shooting and wounding of Larry Bell, Jr. on April 1, 2024.

Harris was charged with Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, two counts of Unlawful use of a Weapon with a Firearm and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The shooting was captured on a surveillance cameras nearby.

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli prosecuted the case for the state. After the verdict, she said “I’m pleased that the jury was able to see that the defendant was indeed the gunman in the surveillance video. The Defendant ambushed and executed Morieo.  Even though the criminal justice system cannot bring Morieo back, I hope they find closure that Damariea Harris will be held accountable for this brazen, mid-day murder.”

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau Detective Calvin Goldring and MCDA Investigators Matt Estes and Anthony Merrill for their important investigative work on this case.

We’d also like to acknowledge the kind and compassionate work of MCDA Victim Advocates Kristen Stowell and Suzanne Rapagnani during the case.

THE FACTS:

On April 1, 2024 Portland Police were called to a shooting at the Venue Gentlemen's Club located at 9950 SE Stark. Upon arrival, officers located a male that was later determined to be deceased and identified as Marieo Camel-Harris. A second victim, Larry Bell, Jr. was transported to OHSU where he subsequently underwent several surgeries. A security guard at the club told investigators a group of individuals trickled in and were hanging out inside the Club for about 20 to 30 minutes. One of the men, later identified as Deamaria Ramon Harris, entered the club wearing a cross body bag. Upon being told that he would need to be patted down, Harris left the club for a short time and returned without the cross body bag. Harris provided his identification, which was scanned by Venue. The security guard looked at the identification that he scanned and believed it was the same individual. The guard stated that the group exited the Club and went outside to smoke. He heard gunshots and looked outside and saw the shooter running with a gun that appeared to have a long magazine. Another witness heard the gunshots and turned to see the shooter holding a gun with a long magazine. He told investigators that the shooter appeared to have cornered the victim, later identified as Marieo Camel-Harris, and then shot him numerous times. Police tracked down and arrested Harris after his parole and probation  officer identified him as the man seen on the surveillance video doing the shooting.

Harris is scheduled for sentencing at 9am on April 30, 2025 in front of Judge Katharine von Ter Stegge at the Multnomah County Courthouse.

                                ##MCDA##

MAN FOUND GUILTY BUT INSANE FOR STABBING DEATH OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKER (Please Disregard The Second Update That I Said Corrected The Mom Spelling. It Was Correct In The First Release. ) -04/08/25

Please disregard the second update that I said corrected the Mom spelling. It was correct in the first release. 

MAN CHARGED WITH STABBING MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TO DEATH FOUND GUILTY EXCEPT FOR INSANITY ON ALL CHARGES (resending To Correct Spelling Of Victim's Mother's Name) -04/08/25

Multnomah County Judge Christopher Marshall found James Calvin Smith Guilty Except for Insanity on three counts connected to the killing of 26-year old Haley Rogers.

Smith stabbed Rogers to death as she worked alone on the night shift at a mental health care facility. 

The judgment came after a stipulated-facts trial in which both the prosecution and defense agreed on facts they submitted to the judge. The facts in this case included evaluations by both prosecution and defense doctors who each found the defendant suffered from mental illness at the time of the crime and lacked the ability to appreciate the criminality of that conduct.

Judge Marshall found Smith is a ‘substantial danger to others’ and shall be confined to the Oregon State Hospital under the authority of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board for a lifetime term.

Haley’s mother Michelle Rogers addressed the court at the hearing and said her daughter loved caring for the mentally ill.

She called her daughter “the most loving person I’ve ever met. If she survived she’d be here advocating for Mr. Smith,” she said. 

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey prosecuted the case for the state. He said: “Nothing can undo the tragedy of Haley’s death and the pain felt by her family and loved ones.  This resolution recognizes the public safety risk posed by Mr. Smith and the need that he be committed to a secure psychiatric treatment facility for a lifetime term.” 

The DA’s office would also like to thank Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate Allison Miller for their care and compassion toward the family during this difficult case, Lead Detective Frederick Huffman and the East County Major Crimes Team.

Here is our earlier press release from the indictment of Smith in 2023.

Indictment, Arraignment of James Calvin Smith in Group Home Homicide Case 

July 25, 2023

James Calvin Smith, 59, was indicted and arraigned on charges related to the homicide of an employee at a group home in Gresham earlier this month.

FACTS:

In the morning of July 16, Gresham Police officers responded to McCarthy Place, which is a group home for adults with mental health care needs, after receiving a 911 call from a day-shift staff member. The staff member reported that she arrived for her 7 a.m. shift when she found a night-shift staff member deceased from apparent stab wounds. Upon arrival, officers observed signs of an apparent struggle in the common area and, based on other physical evidence and witness information, they identified Smith as the suspect and took him into custody.

Following the initial investigation, Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey presented the case to the Grand Jury, which resulted in an indictment (filed July 24) on three charges:

Murder in the Second Degree

Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Tampering with Physical Evidence

Smith appeared for arraignment today in front of Judge Christopher Ramras, where he entered a plea of not guilty.

The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office thanks the Gresham Police Department and the East County Major Crimes Team for their assistance in this case.

MAN CHARGED WITH STABBING MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TO DEATH FOUND GUILTY EXCEPT FOR INSANITY ON ALL CHARGES -04/08/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

4/8/25

Multnomah County Judge Christopher Marshall found James Calvin Smith Guilty Except for Insanity on three counts connected to the killing of 26-year old Haley Rogers.

Smith stabbed Rogers to death as she worked alone on the night shift at a mental health care facility. 

The judgment came after a stipulated-facts trial in which both the prosecution and defense agreed on facts they submitted to the judge. The facts in this case included evaluations by both prosecution and defense doctors who each found the defendant suffered from mental illness at the time of the crime and lacked the ability to appreciate the criminality of that conduct.

Judge Marshall found Smith is a ‘substantial danger to others’ and shall be confined to the Oregon State Hospital under the authority of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board for a lifetime term.

Haley’s mother Meshell Rogers addressed the court at the hearing and said her daughter loved caring for the mentally ill.

She called her daughter “the most loving person I’ve ever met. If she survived she’d be here advocating for Mr. Smith,” she said. 

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey prosecuted the case for the state. He said: “Nothing can undo the tragedy of Haley’s death and the pain felt by her family and loved ones.  This resolution recognizes the public safety risk posed by Mr. Smith and the need that he be committed to a secure psychiatric treatment facility for a lifetime term.” 

The DA’s office would also like to thank Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate Allison Miller for their care and compassion toward the family during this difficult case, Lead Detective Frederick Huffman and the East County Major Crimes Team.

Here is our earlier press release from the indictment of Smith in 2023.

Indictment, Arraignment of James Calvin Smith in Group Home Homicide Case 

July 25, 2023

James Calvin Smith, 59, was indicted and arraigned on charges related to the homicide of an employee at a group home in Gresham earlier this month.

FACTS:

In the morning of July 16, Gresham Police officers responded to McCarthy Place, which is a group home for adults with mental health care needs, after receiving a 911 call from a day-shift staff member. The staff member reported that she arrived for her 7 a.m. shift when she found a night-shift staff member deceased from apparent stab wounds. Upon arrival, officers observed signs of an apparent struggle in the common area and, based on other physical evidence and witness information, they identified Smith as the suspect and took him into custody.

Following the initial investigation, Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey presented the case to the Grand Jury, which resulted in an indictment (filed July 24) on three charges:

Murder in the Second Degree

Unlawful Use of a Weapon

Tampering with Physical Evidence

Smith appeared for arraignment today in front of Judge Christopher Ramras, where he entered a plea of not guilty.

The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office thanks the Gresham Police Department and the East County Major Crimes Team for their assistance in this case.

MAN SENTENCED TO 32-YEARS IN PRISON- TO LIFE FOR KILLING A PORTLAND MAN AND SHOOTING AT POLICE -04/04/25

4/4/2025             

A  man will spend at least the next 32 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to multiple charges related to a Portland area crime spree.

Jessie Garza III (DOB 6/18/1993) was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 32 years and a lifetime of post prison supervision.

The charges he pled guilty to include Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer. 

Former Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Brad Kalbaugh and DDA Maddie Loeb prosecuted the cases for the state. 

The Multnomah County DA’s office would like to thank Portland Police Detective Stephen Gandy for his excellent work on these cases.

We’d also like to commend MCDA Victim Advocate Karla Juarez for outstanding work supporting the many victims involved in these cases.

The plea agreement settles eight criminal cases against Garza including the following murder case.

THE FACTS FOR THE MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE CASE:

Just before 1:30am on December 14, 2023, police responded to a shots-fired call at 16520 SE Bush St.

Upon arrival, responding officers contacted Richard Newman who was seated in a chair in the living room. Newman had been shot multiple times, was conscious, and was in obvious need of medical help. Newman was rushed to OHSU where he died a short time later. Numerous witnesses described the shooter as a Hispanic male in his mid to late 20s, bald, tattooed, between 5'6" and  5'10", and wearing a white hooded sweatshirt. Several witnesses said the shooter went by the name "Buddy" and that he was looking for someone named "Moro". Several witnesses described Newman as a father figure to "Moro." Witnesses described the suspect being dropped off at the location in a white mini-van which had then quickly driven away. 

A witness told police that the shooter pulled a gun on him outside of the residence and forced him to show him which apartment Moro lived in.The shooter made him enter the residence through the front door which was unlocked and the shooter followed him inside with the gun still drawn. There were a number of people inside the residence, and they all described a scenario in which the gunman entered the home with his gun drawn.

A second witness told police that Richard Newman was sitting in a chair and that the shooter pointed the gun at him demanding to know where Moro was and threatened Newman. Newman told the man to leave and the shooter then shot Newman several times before running away. 

THE FACTS FOR THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE CASE:

On 12/28/23, police officers out of Portland's east precinct were conducting a stolen vehicle recovery operation when 911 received a tip that a suspect in a shooting was in the area driving a silver Impala. The tipster identified the wanted man as Jessie Garza. Two Portland police officers were operating a marked patrol car together when the information came out over dispatch. Both officers are familiar with Garza and both were aware that Garza had numerous warrants out for his arrest, including a warrant for murder. 

One of the officers requested assistance from AIR 1 which was patrolling in the air and learned that a vehicle matching the description provided by the tipster was parked in front of an apartment complex on SE 148th, which is a location with which Garza was associated with in the past. A Portland police sergeant was in the area supervising the stolen vehicle recovery mission and operating an unmarked patrol car. The sergeant located the vehicle in question parked in a lot and observed that the vehicle had Washington plates. The sergeant ran the plates and learned that the car was stolen. 

The sergeant watched as the vehicle left the parking lot onto SE 148th. Another Portland police officer was in an unmarked car that was parked in the lot of a Fred Meyer across the street and observed the vehicle leaving the apartment complex. An officer in a marked car tried to stop Garza but he accelerated away at a high rate of speed and began heading back toward the apartment complex. The officer was behind Garza as he drove back into the apartment complex parking lot, and she saw him jump out of the driver's side of the vehicle while it was still moving. The officer noticed that Garza was reaching into his sweatshirt as if he had a firearm. Garza ran southbound on foot,  then to the east between the apartment buildings. 

PPB officers Corey Budworth and Justin Raphael were assisting in the pursuit in a partner car. Officer Raphael was in uniform and observed Garza running on foot. Officer Raphael exited his vehicle to chase Garza on foot and observed Garza remove a handgun from his waistband and point it directly at him. Officer Raphael continued chasing Garza who was armed and about 15 feet away from him and officer Budworth. Officer Raphael heard Garza fire the gun at him and saw the muzzle flash.

The bullet missed striking officer Raphael. Garza fired a second gunshot at officer Raphael and officer Budworth before entering one of the apartments. Officer Raphael then heard several additional gunshots coming from the apartment. PPB officer Hayden Keep had taken up a position behind a neighboring unit along with two other officers. Officer Keep heard gunshots coming from the home and heard a distinct whizzing noise as a bullet flew past in close proximity to his location. Another officer witnessed Garza shooting at police from inside the apartment. 

A friend who had tried to help de-escalate the situation told a detective Garza had told her he was aware that he was wanted for murder, that he might have done something bad, that he was not going to jail, and that he was going to make the police kill him.                     #MCDA#

PSU PROTESTOR FOUND GUILTY BY MULTNOMAH COUNTY JUDGE -04/03/25

4/2/25

PORTLAND, Or. - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Ryan convicted Danielle Alisha Monk (DOB: 12/31/94) of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree as a result of her actions during a protest at Portland State University in May 2024. 

The trial began on March 31, and concluded on April 1, 2025. During the trial, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office presented evidence that showed during a PSU protest event in May 2024, Ms. Monk entered a closed parking garage that was not open to the public and blocked police vehicles by sitting in front of them while they were transporting other arrestees away from the protest.  Ms. Monk was warned several times by three officers that she was trespassing and would be arrested if she remained. 

Samira Claire Jensen (DOB: 01/26/85), was found guilty of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree by a jury in January 2025 for similar conduct during the same event.

This case was prosecuted by DDA Bijal Patel with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office 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. DDA Patel would like to thank PSU public safety officers for their work during the protest.

9 Year Prison Sentence For Burglary Ring Member -03/28/25

A man who helped lead a ring of thieves, who preyed on hard working small business owners, pled guilty today to 30 felony criminal charges related to those crimes.

Joshua Patrick Lucero, 33 years old, stole cars, stole property, and burglarized multiple Portland businesses.

The ring is accused of targeting as many as 100 Portland area businesses in all.

Multnomah County Judge David Rees sentenced Lucero to 9 years in prison as part of a plea deal that resolved all of Lucero’s outstanding cases in Multnomah County.

Lucero is currently serving a 35-month sentence for similar crimes committed in Washington County.

In Multnomah County, Lucero pled guilty to 6 counts of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (auto theft); 1 count of Burglary in the Second Degree; and 23 counts of Burglary in the First Degree. 

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

“I hope that business owners see this as a first step toward restoring accountability in Portland and the greater Portland metropolitan area. Property crime affects us all. Business owners. Patrons. And the larger community. Mr. Lucero’s actions are unacceptable and similar conduct - committed by others - will not be tolerated.” said DDA Garcia. 

We would like to recognize the work and compassionate care of MCDA Victim Advocates Karla Juarez and Emma Kane for their help on the case.

Also Portland Police Bureau Acting Detective Consider Vosu, Portland Police Bureau Officer Elliott Walker, and MCDA Investigator Gabriella Snedecor played pivotal roles in the investigation of these cases.

Here is our previous release on the case involving both Mr. Lucero and an accused accomplice whose case is still working its way through the system.

January 24, 2025

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s office is announcing the arrest and prosecution of two members of a burglary ring that investigators believe includes ten or more people and has preyed upon more than a hundred businesses in the greater Portland area. 

Portland police are continuing to investigate the ring with the goal of identifying everyone involved and holding them accountable.

According to the probable cause affidavit, video surveillance shows the burglaries committed by an organized crime ring that targeted restaurants, bars, lounges, and other commercial spaces in Multnomah County, Oregon. 

A Grand Jury indicted Courtney Savannah Carlile, 27 years old, on 35 charges including Burglary in the First Degree (Class A felony), Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (Class C felony)  and Theft in the Second Degree (Class A misdemeanor). 

The Grand Jury also indicted Joshua Patrick Lucero, 33 years old, on 50 charges including Burglary in the First Degree (Class A felony), Aggravated Theft in the First Degree (Class B felony), and Criminal Mischief in the first degree (Class C felony).

Class A felonies are the most serious. Each can result in prison term of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $375,000 dollars or both.

THE FACTS:

The cases began back in July of 2024. 

Portland Police Bureau Officer Elliott Walker played a key role in linking the cases together and identifying the suspects. Numerous other Portland police officers also helped out during the course of the investigation, which included multiple search warrants.

The probable cause affidavit states that on July 27, 2024 video surveillance for Baby Dolla Pizza at 2835 SE Stark Street shows, according to Officer Walker, Lucero arriving in a white Acura TL. Officer Walker reports Lucero is initially unmasked, and that he used a crowbar to force entry to the business and a Sawzall to gain access to an interior office. The officer said the business owner confirmed damage was more than $1,000 dollars.

On September 18, 2024, according to Officer Walker,  video showed Lucero and Carlile used bolt cutters to break into Grassa at NW 23rd Ave and a Sawzall saw to cut into an interior business safe. The burglary was caught on video and the two defendants were not wearing masks.

That same night, September 18, 2024, video from Old Town Brewing Co, located at 52nd and MLK, according to Officer Walker,  showed the two defendants in the same clothing. This time they smashed a window to get into the building. They once again used a Sawzall saw to gain access to an interior office and business safe.

The pattern repeated numerous times through November and December of 2024 until the pair were arrested by Portland Police on December 28th, 2024.  Both defendants remain in custody.

Both Lucero and Carlile have additional criminal cases pending in Washington and Clackamas counties.

An Indictment is only an accusation of a crime. Lucero and Carlile are innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

#MCDA#

23 MONTH SENTENCE IN STARVATION CASE -03/28/25

March 28, 2025

Today, Multnomah County Judge Leslie Bottomly sentenced Jamie Strahm to the following:

• Count 1: 90 days jail and 36 months probation with special conditions of probation to include a parenting class, comprehensive psychological evaluation (comply with all recommended treatment), no contact with the victim, and no physical discipline of any child.  

• Count 3: 20 months in the department of corrections and 36 months post prison supervision. 

Count 3 was imposed consecutively to Count 1, meaning her total custody time is 90 days + 20 months. 

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Rachna Hajari and Senior Deputy DA Charles Mickley prosecuted the case for the state. Emma Kane was the Victim Advocate. 

The assigned prosecuting attorneys worked tirelessly to seek justice for the victim in this case. The victim’s perseverance and resilience from the longstanding abuse he endured is inspirational. Similarly inspirational is the tremendous level of dedication, kindness, sacrifice, and skilled care that the many people who truly care for the victim have provided since the abuse came to light.

Below is our original press release after the conviction:

March 11, 2025

On March 7, 2025, a Multnomah County jury found Jamie Strahm guilty of two counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. One count was for withholding the necessary and adequate food from the victim, who was between the ages of seven and eight at the time. The other count was for withholding the necessary and adequate medical attention from the same victim.

The evidence presented at trial included the following facts:

Ms. Strahm started dating the victim’s father in 2014, assuming the role of primary caretaker for the victim after moving into the home. In 2015, the victim (then four years old) suffered an unexplained brain injury while in Ms. Strahm’s care. The victim was hospitalized for several weeks, and left the hospital with a G-tube. When discharged from the hospital, the victim was approximately 45 pounds and was in the 85th percentile for weight at that time. 

The victim failed to thrive while in Ms. Strahm’s care, and lost a significant amount of weight over the next few years. Ms. Strahm repeatedly told medical providers that the victim was unwilling to eat food by mouth, and claimed that she had been feeding the victim the required amount via G-tube. 

By April 25, 2018, the victim was at the 13th percentile for weight. Ms. Strahm failed to make a follow-up appointment with the victim’s registered dietician, and she cancelled or failed to show for a large number of the victim’s medical appointments over the ensuing eighteen months.

Ms. Strahm finally brought the victim in to see the registered dietitian on October 24, 2019. Although Ms. Strahm claimed to be feeding the victim 200% of his expected caloric needs, the victim was extremely thin and frail. Concerned by the victim’s appearance, the registered dietician made arrangements to ensure the victim would be admitted to Randall Children’s Hospital the following day. 

The victim weighed less than 40 pounds when admitted to the hospital and was suffering from refeeding syndrome. Over the span of more than four years in the defendant’s care, when he should have been gaining weight, the victim instead lost more than 10% of his total body weight.

Soon after being admitted to the hospital, the victim began eating food by mouth when Ms. Strahm was not in the same room. Ms. Strahm was banned from the hospital on November 14, 2019. Within one month, the victim gained 10 pounds and demonstrated that he did not need a G-tube to meet his nutritional needs. 

The jury found Jamie Strahm guilty on Count 1 of the indictment, Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. This count alleged that between April 25, 2018, and November 25, 2019, Jamie Strahm intentionally and knowingly withheld the necessary and adequate food from the victim, who was a dependent person. The jury also found Jamie Strahm guilty on Count 3 of the indictment, Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree. This count alleged that Jamie Strahm intentionally and knowingly withheld the necessary and adequate medical attention from the victim during the same time period.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Rachna Hajari and Senior Deputy District Attorney Charles Mickley prosecuted the case for the State. They would like to thank Emma Kane for her work as a caring and compassionate victim’s advocate on this case. Most importantly, they express their thanks to the dedicated medical staff at Randall Children’s Hospital and CARES Northwest, who worked to save the victim’s life and protect the victim from Ms. Strahm.

First Guilty Plea In Multnomah County For Using Drugs On Public Transportation, Specifically Portland Streetcar -03/27/25

                                                                                      3/27/25 

Multnomah County Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai accepted the first guilty plea in the county today under a new part of Oregon’s Interfering with Public Transportation law. The revision to the law was passed by the Oregon Legislature as Senate Bill 1553 and took effect on January 1, 2025. The revision added the consumption of illegal drugs on public transportation to the crime of Interfering with Public Transportation, a Class A misdemeanor and not eligible for deflection.

An information accused Nicholas Clay Birdsley on three counts of Interfering with Public Transportation while on the Portland Streetcar.

He pled guilty to Count 1, for trespassing on a public vehicle on Jan 19, 2025 and Count 2 for knowingly ingesting and inhaling a controlled substance that was not legally possessed by the defendant while on a public transit vehicle on February 24, 2025.

Count 3, another trespass, was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Judge Sinlapasai sentenced Mr. Birdsley to 12 months bench probation, 10 days jail credit for time served, a mandatory drug evaluation (which he would not have received if he was under a deflection program), an order to follow recommended treatment (which would not have been part of a deflection) and abide by any Portland Streetcar exclusions.

The case was prosecuted by DDA Wilson Carpenter.

##MCDA##

DV Homicide Defendant Sentenced To Life In Prison -03/25/25

3/25/25

Today, Multnomah County Judge Christopher Marshall found Jake Phillips (DOB 6/24/1985) Guilty of murdering Erika Evans on September 23, 2022. Mr. Phillips was found guilty of the crimes of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm and Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm, both constituting domestic violence.

Judge Marshall then sentenced Mr. Phillips to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 25 years. 

Facts:

On September 23, 2022, Ms. Evans was found deceased at Wallace Park with a single gunshot wound to the neck. A 40 caliber shell casing was found at the scene and the Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide. Mr. Phillips, who was an intimate partner of Ms.Evans, was last seen with her 2 hours prior to the murder. Mr. Phillips was arrested in Brookings, OR on an arrest warrant out of Washington County, Oregon for a Robbery in the First Degree. In that case, which happened several days prior to the murder, Mr. Phillips stole firearms from another individual which was caught on Trimet video. One of those firearms was a 40 caliber gun. When Mr. Phillips was arrested, he had a fanny pack. Officers searched the fanny pack pursuant to a search warrant and found a 40 caliber gun. After doing a NIBIN test, it matched the shell casing found at the homicide scene.

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Glen Banfield and Deputy District Attorney James Kim prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Deputy District Attorney Christopher Ruiz. They would like to thank Kristen Stowell for her work as a caring and compassionate victim’s advocate on this case, as well as Portland Police Bureau Detectives Brian Sims and Meghan Burkeen for their excellent work.

Suspect Indicted On A Nine Count Case After Being Indicted In Washington County On 21 Similar Charges (Photo) -03/24/25

March 24, 2025

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has issued the following 9 charges under a grand jury indictment on Jesse St. Marie DOB: 06/18/1998.

• Felony Strangulation 

• Assault in the Fourth Degree (3 counts)

• Coercion

• Menacing

• Theft in the Second Degree

• Harassment (2 counts)

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has also issued a media release seeking additional victims in a sex trafficking investigation related to Jesse St. Marie. (See Attached)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEDIA RELEASE

Detectives Seek Additional Victims in Sex Trafficking Investigation

March 24, 2025

On March 2, 2025, deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a report of domestic violence in the Bethany community at an apartment near NW West Union Rd. and NW Bethany Blvd. Deputies learned 26-year-old Jesse Lee St. Marie Blankenship assaulted a woman several days earlier. Blankenship was also wanted by the Gresham Police Department for assaulting and strangling the same woman in February 2025. Deputies then learned Blankenship had a felony warrant for parole violation related to a prior conviction for assaulting a different woman.

While conducting surveillance on the apartment, deputies spotted Blankenship getting into an SUV during the early morning hours of March 4. As deputies moved in to arrest him, Blankenship jumped out of the SUV and tried to run but deputies immediately captured and arrested him.

Detectives from the WCSO Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene. During the investigation, detectives learned Blankenship was involved in sex trafficking as well as being physically violent to multiple people.

On March 17, a Washington County grand jury heard evidence on the case and issued a 21-count indictment. On March 20, a Multnomah County grand jury heard evidence as well and indicted Blankenship for nine additional charges.

Blankenship has been held without bail at the Washington County Jail since March 4. In addition to his parole violation, Blankenship is facing the following charges in Washington County:

• Compelling prostitution – two counts

• Promoting prostitution – two counts

• Coercion – five counts

• Assault in the second degree – two counts

• Harassment

• Assault in the fourth degree (felony) – two counts

• Assault in the fourth degree (misdemeanor) – two counts

• Menacing – two counts

• Recklessly endangering another person

• Causing another person to ingest a controlled substance

• Tampering with a witness

• Supplying contraband – two counts

Blankenship was indicted for the following charges in Multnomah County:

• Strangulation (felony)

• Assault in the fourth degree (misdemeanor) – three counts

• Coercion

• Menacing

• Theft in the second degree

• Harassment – two counts

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are likely. Detectives believe there are additional victims and witnesses and would like to speak with anyone who has information about Blankenship. Please call 503-846-2500 and reference case 50-25-3033.

The release of Blankenship’s booking photo is for law enforcement purposes and is in accordance with Oregon House Bill 3273 for the identification of additional criminal activity.