Polk County Deputy DA Named DUII Prosecutor Of The Year. (Photo) - 04/06/26

BEND (OR) – Polk County Deputy District Attorney Kaylee Hudson has received the 2026 DUII Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force.

Presented at the organization’s annual conference held in Bend, Oregon on April 2, 2026, this prestigious award recognizes outstanding professional achievement in the deterrence and prevention of DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) in the State of Oregon. It is given to a city, county, or state prosecutor involved in supervising or in the actual prosecution of DUII offenders.

Ms. Hudson’s nomination by a cross-section of her peers in law enforcement cites that she, “exemplifies excellence in the prosecution of DUII cases through exceptional preparation, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public safety.”

In congratulating Ms. Hudson on her accomplishment, District Attorney Aaron Felton stated, “We are extremely proud of the work DDA Hudson does to deter and hold impaired drivers accountable here in Polk County. This recognition of her ability and commitment is very well deserved.”

The Oregon DUII Task Force is a statewide organization that provides training and consultation to state, local, community and professional organizations involved with DUII training, enforcement, treatment, and prevention. DDA Hudson has been a member of the Polk County District Attorney’s Office since 2023.

Sherwood Man Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For 2024 Sexual Abuse Of Independence Minor. (Photo) - 04/03/26

DALLAS (OR) – Malcolm Dean Cade, 29, has been sentenced to serve 85 months (7 years, 1 month) in prison for sexually abusing a 9-year-old from Independence in 2024. Cade, of Sherwood, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge pro tem Timothy R. Park, after pleading no contest to two counts of Sex Abuse in the First Degree He will also be required to serve a 45-month term of Post-Prison Supervision and register as a sex offender upon his release.

Judge Park sentenced Cade pursuant to Oregon’s Ballot Measure 11 minimum mandatory sentencing law, which means he will not be eligible for any early release or other program that would result in a reduction of his sentence.

The case was investigated by the Independence Police Department. It was prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, child abuse or another victimization, April may be a difficult time for you. Below are resources always available to you, should you need assistance or someone to talk to. Center for Hope and Safety: 503-399-7722; Sable House: 503-623-4033; Warriors of Hope: 971-241-3594

Salem Area Man Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison On Domestic Assault, Weapons Charges. (Photo) - 04/02/26

DALLAS (OR) – Blake Alexander Pierce, 29, has been sentenced to serve eight years in prison after pleading guilty in Polk County Circuit Court on April 1, 2026, to assault and weapons charges related to an attack on his domestic partner in December of 2025. Pierce also pled guilty to assaulting another inmate in the Polk County Jail while awaiting trial on this matter.

Pierce, of Salem, appeared before Circuit Judge pro tem Timothy R. Park and pled guilty to Assault in the Second Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. He will also be required to serve 24 months of Post Prison Supervision upon his release from custody. Under the terms of the sentence, Pierce will actually serve longer in prison than had he been sentenced under Oregon’s Measure 11 sentencing law.  

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

Gage Ferrando Sentenced To Over Six Years In Prison For Sexual Abuse Of Dallas Teen. (Photo) - 04/01/26

DALLAS (OR) – Gage Austin Ferrando, 21, has been sentenced to serve two 75-month terms (6.5 years each) in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old from Dallas in November of 2024. Ferrando, of Lebanon, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge Monte S. Campbell, after pleading no contest to two counts of Sex Abuse in the First Degree He will also be required to serve a 45-month term of Post-Prison Supervision and register as a sex offender upon his release.

Judge Campbell sentenced Ferrando pursuant to Oregon’s Ballot Measure 11 minimum mandatory sentencing law, which means he will not be eligible for any early release or other program that would result in a reduction of his sentence. Ferrando will serve this sentence in addition to the 100-month sentence he is currently serving for Rape in the First Degree.

The case was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, child abuse or another victimization, April may be a difficult time for you. Below are resources always available to you, should you need assistance or someone to talk to. Center for Hope and Safety: 503-399-7722; Sable House: 503-623-4033; Warriors of Hope: 971-241-3594

Polk County DA’s Office Digital Evidence Team Honored By Board Of Commissioners. (Photo) - 03/31/26

DALLAS (OR) – Today the Polk County Board of Commissioners recognized the District Attorney’s Office Discovery/Evidence Division of Carrie Jackson, Carol Carlson and Supervisor Matt Olson with its STAR (“Special Thanks and Recognition”) Award.

The STAR Award is given quarterly by the commissioners to Polk County employees for going above and beyond their typical duties and making a significant difference in areas such as excellent customer service, team success, outstanding achievement, ideas for (or implementing) improvement of services, safety, suggesting or implementing a process to save money or resources, or individual milestones.

In his nomination of the team, District Attorney Aaron Felton wrote to the Board of Commissioners, “In the last ten years, with the advent of digital case management systems and police body cameras, [evidence production and management] has undergone a revolutionary transformation. I am very proud to say that our Discovery/Evidence team [has] not only kept pace with the technological changes, but established a leadership role by building one of, if not the finest operations in Oregon. [T]his department in the DA’s Office, is a major contributor to our mission of seeking justice for the people of Polk County and are extremely deserving of this special recognition from the Board.”

Pictured are Polk County Commissioners Jeremy Gordon, Craig Pope, and Lyle Mordhorst. Accepting the STAR award are Team Members Carol Carlson, Supervisor Matt Olson, and Carrie Jackson joined by District Attorney Aaron Felton..

Terry Lawrence Allwen Sentenced To Life In Prison For Falls City Murder. (Photo) - 03/27/26

DALLAS (OR) – Polk County Circuit Judge Norman Hill today sentenced 63-year-old Terry Lawrence Allwen to life in prison after a jury convicted him on March 20, 2026, of Murder in the Second Degree. The terms of the sentence allow for a review by the parole board after 25 years.

Judge Hill also sentenced Allwen for his convictions on Manslaughter in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Those sentences were ordered to be served concurrently with his life sentence. Allwen will also be required to serve a lifetime term of Post-Prison Supervision if he is ever released from custody.

Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson and Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson prosecuted the case for the state. After the sentencing, Wilson said: “Mr. Johnson had many more years to spend with his family. His senseless murder destroyed the dreams and plans of so many that loved him. I hope that the fact Mr. Allwen today received the maximum possible sentence will bring the family of Mr. Johnson some relief and sense of justice.”

The Facts

On May 31, 2024, Allwen was a tenant staying in a recreational vehicle parked on property in Falls City owned by Johnson. At approximately 9:00 a.m., the two men became involved in a verbal exchange over items of personal property. During the altercation, Allwen retrieved a shotgun from the trunk of his vehicle and shot Johnson a single time, killing him.

The Polk County District Attorney’s Office commends the work of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police in their investigation that resulted in Mr. Allwen being brought to justice.

West Salem Man Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Possession Of Machine Gun, Impaired Driving. (Photo) - 03/24/26

DALLAS (OR) – Kyler William Miller, 23, of West Salem, appeared before Judge Monte S. Campbell in Polk County Circuit on March 23, 2026, and plead guilty to the charges of Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun and Driving Under the Influence of intoxicants.

On January 17, 2026, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Salem Police were contacted by a witness observing an Audi sedan, “doing cookies” on the grass field of West Salem Park. Responding Salem Police officers located both the vehicle and driver, Miller, several blocks from the park. Within the vehicle and in reach of the driver’s seat was a loaded Glock .22 semi-automatic handgun modified to fully automatic with an attached ammunition drum. On further contact, Miller admitted to officers he had been consuming alcoholic beverages, which was confirmed by an Intoxilyzer sample.

Judge Campbell sentenced Miller to three years of probation, 80 hours of community service work, and ordered the weapon forfeited.

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

Falls City Man Found Guilty Of Murder In Death Of Landlord. (Photo) - 03/23/26

DALLAS (OR) – Terry Lawrence Allwen, of Falls City, has been found guilty of murder in the second degree with a firearm and several related charges after a multi-day jury trial concluded in Polk County Circuit Court on Friday.

Evidence presented by the prosecution showed that on May 31, 2024, after a verbal dispute, Allwen, 63, fatally shot his landlord Bo Johnson, 79, also of Falls City. In addition to murder, the jury found Allwen guilty of manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and felon in possession of a weapon.

Allwen is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2026, by Polk County Judge Norm Hill, who presided over the trial.

The case was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police. It was prosecuted by Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson and Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson.

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.