DALLAS (OR) – Alonzo Rowell, 51, has been charged by the Polk County District Attorney’s Office with Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Reckless Endangering Another Person. Rowell, of Dallas, was arraigned today in Polk County Circuit Court by Judge Monte Campbell and was denied bail.

Rowell is alleged to have fatally shot his brother, Tony Miller, 54, also of Dallas, at his residence on Saturday, November 9, before driving to Rowell’s former workplace, the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. Rowell engaged in a short standoff with the Salem Police SWAT unit before being taken into custody without further incident. Rowell is currently lodged at the Polk County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 19.

The case is being investigated by the Dallas Police Department, Salem Police Department, Oregon State Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by the Polk County District Attorney’s Office

DALLAS (OR) – Steve Brian Wooldridge, 39, has been sentenced to serve 375 months (31 years, 3 months) in prison after being found guilty of four counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, three counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, three counts of Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, and one count of Incest by Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso According to the evidence presented at trial, the victim was between 15 and 16 years old. 

Wooldridge, of Independence, was sentenced by Judge Caso according to Oregon’s Measure 11 mandatory sentencing laws and per the recommendation of the District Attorney’s Office. Consequently, he will not be eligible for any form of early release or sentence reduction. He will also be required to serve a 140 month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release and register as a sex offender.

The case was investigated by the Independence Police Department and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen of the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.