Jury Convicts Salem Man On Trespassing And Weapons Charges. (Photo) - 02/13/26

DALLAS (OR) – Gabriel Jordan McCrae, of Salem, has been found guilty by a Polk County Jury of Criminal Trespass in the First Degree, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Interfering with Making a Report.

McCrae, 40, was arrested in December, 2025, for violating the terms of a restraining order by entering the home of the victim without permission and physically preventing them from calling 911 for help. While being taken into custody, a pair of brass knuckles was found in McCrae’s possession. McCrae has previously been convicted of Felony Assault in the Fourth Degree. The jury deliberated for approximately 10 minutes and found McCrae guilty on all charges.

The case was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and tried by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson.

Man Receives Four Years In Prison For West Salem Domestic Assault, Strangulation Case. - 02/12/26

DALLAS (OR) – Gregory James Paul Chaplin, 39, has been sentenced to serve 48 months in prison for assault and strangulation arising out of a December, 2025 incident in West Salem.

Chaplin, of northeast Salem, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso, after a jury unanimously found him guilty of Felony Strangulation Constituting Domestic Violence and Felony Assault in the Fourth Degree Constituting Domestic Violence.  Judge Caso ordered Chaplin to serve an enhanced sentence due to him previously being convicted and imprisoned for assaulting the same victim. Chaplin will also be required to serve a two-year term of Post-Prison Supervision when he is released from prison.

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

Man Sentenced To Prison In West Salem Robbery, Shoplifting Case. - 02/04/26

DALLAS (OR) – Christopher Denver Castator, 33, has been sentenced to serve 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in prison for injuring a store employee as he was attempting to elude being apprehended for stealing from the West Salem Roth’s Fresh Market.

Castator, of Redmond, Oregon, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso, after pleading guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The May, 2025 incident arose after the victim attempted to prevent the defendant and an accomplice from stealing merchandise. As the pair were retreating in their vehicle, Castator shot and struck the victim with a seven-inch arrow propelled from a blowgun type device.

 Judge Caso sentenced Castator 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 the entire length of his incarceration. He will also be required to serve a 36-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release.

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