Polk County District Attorney Felton Issues Statement On Tougher New Felony Elude Laws (Photo) - 03/18/26

DALLAS (OR) -- Today, Polk County District Attorney Aaron D. Felton issued the attached statement highlighting recent changes made by the legislature to the state’s felony elude laws. In a publication titled, “From the Desk of the D.A.,” Felton discusses the law’s increased penalties for violators which are intended to increase accountability and lead to safer highways.

West Salem Man Sentenced To Over Five Years In Prison On Repeat Assault, Strangulation Charges. (Photo) - 02/20/26

DALLAS (OR) – Zachary James Pumarlo, of West Salem, has been sentenced to serve 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison for a 2025 incident in which he assaulted and strangled his domestic partner.

Pumarlo, 32, appeared on February 17 before Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso and pled guilty to two counts of felony assault in the fourth degree and felony strangulation. The charges were sentenced as felonies based on the severity of the injuries and the fact that Pumarlo was previously convicted of domestic violence offenses involving the same victim. Judge Caso also ordered Pumarlo to serve a 24-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release.

The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Kaylee Hudson.

Man Receives Over Ten Years In Prison For West Salem Robbery, Assault Case. (Photo) - 02/19/26

DALLAS (OR) – Frank Donovan Eckel, 29, has been sentenced to serve 130 months (10 years, 10 months) in prison for robbing and assaulting a man while armed with a knife as he walked near Wallace Marine Park in August of 2025.

Eckel, of Salem, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso, after a two-day jury trial concluded on February 18. The 12-person jury found Eckel guilty of Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. Judge Caso sentenced Eckel according to Oregon’s Measure 11 minimum mandatory sentencing law. He will not be eligible for any form of early release or sentence reduction for 90 of the 130 months imposed. He will also be required to serve a three-year term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release. At the time of the incident, Eckel was on Post-Prison Supervision due to a felony conviction for which he had been released from a correctional facility approximately 60 days earlier.

The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Garrett Lewellen.

Salem Man Sentenced To Prison For Sexually Abusing Dallas Minor. (Photo) - 02/18/26

DALLAS (OR) – Julius Cavada Panimdim, 38, has been sentenced to serve 75 months (6 years, 3 months) in prison for sexually abusing a child under the age of 13 when he resided in Dallas.

Panimdim, formerly of Dallas, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge Monte S. Campbell, after pleading guilty to a single count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. Judge Campbell sentenced Panimdim according to Oregon’s Measure 11 minimum mandatory sentencing law. He will not be eligible for any form of early release or sentence reduction. He will also be required to serve a 45-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release.

The case was investigated by the Dallas and Salem Police Departments. It was prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen.

Salem Man Sent To Prison For Sexual Offense Involving Dallas Area Minor. (Photo) - 02/17/26

DALLAS (OR) – Troy Louis Meza, of Salem, has been sentenced to 75 months (6 years, 3 months) in prison after pleading guilty in Polk County Circuit to one count of attempted sodomy in the first degree and one count of failing to register as a sex offender.

Meza, 48, appeared before Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso on February 13, 2026 for sentencing on both matters. The attempted sodomy case stemmed from a 2023 incident in which the victim was 13 years old at the time of the offense. The failure to register case stemmed from an incident in which Meza had failed to keep his address current with the state’s sex offender registry. Meza is required to register due to a prior conviction for Sex Abuse in the Second Degree. Judge Caso also required Meza to serve a 24-month term of Post Prison Supervision.

The case was investigated by the Dallas Police Department, Oregon State Police, and prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen.