Polk County District Attorney Felton Issues Statement On Crime Victims' Rights Week (Photo) - 04/23/26

DALLAS (OR) - Today, Polk County District Attorney Aaron D. Felton issued the following statement as part of his regular, “From the Desk of the D.A.” series of written news updates. In his statement, D.A. Felton discusses his office’s annual flag display Crime Victims’ Rights Week and praises the work of the Victim Advocates in his office.

“April is a very powerful and meaningful month in our office. It marks the annual observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Awareness Month, and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Although each observation has a different emphasis, they each have the common theme of raising awareness, prevention, and support for victims.

These actions are a central element of the DA’s Office mission to seek justice for crime victims and their families. This past year, the four dedicated advocates in our Victim Services Division directly served approximately 2112 individual crime victims, families, and businesses. This service includes numerous phone calls, written outreach, and most critically, face to face interactions. It is not uncommon for our advocates to spend many hours with victims and their supporters as they work to both process loss and navigate their way through the criminal justice system.

In recognition of the courage and resilience of those victims as well as the commitment of our advocates, we have created our annual flag display. Each year during Crime Victims’ Rights Week, our office plants a flag on the Courthouse lawn to symbolize a crime victim that has had a case with our office over the past year.

As District Attorney, it is my goal for the number of those flags to keep decreasing each year. However, for those persons who are victimized or otherwise suffer the traumatic effects of crime, I am grateful for the empathy and dedication of our Advocates as we seek justice and dignity for them.”

April 19 – 25, 2026 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse or another victimization, this may be a difficult time for you. Below are resources always available, 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

West Salem Man Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Domestic Violence. (Photo) - 04/22/26

DALLAS (OR) – Travis Jay Miller, of West Salem, has been sentenced to serve 36 months in prison for a March, 2026 incident in which he attacked and strangled his girlfriend at her home.

Miller, 32, appeared before Polk County Circuit Judge pro tem Timothy R. Park and pled guilty to one count of Felony Strangulation. At sentencing, Judge Park imposed the maximum presumptive prison sentence plus an additional six months. Miller will also be required to serve a 24-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release. Miller’s criminal history includes prior convictions for assault and domestic violence related offenses.

The case was prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson. The DA’s Office commends the victim for her strength and resilience throughout the case and the Salem Police Department for its thorough investigation.

April 19 – 25, 2026 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse or another victimization, this may be a difficult time for you. Below are resources always available, 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

West Salem Man Sentenced To Two Years In Prison In Firearm Incident. (Photo) - 04/21/26

DALLAS (OR) – Nikodemus Demetri Amrine, of West Salem, has been sentenced to serve 25 months (2 years, 1 month) in prison for a 2025 incident in which he intentionally discharged a firearm inside his residence. At the time, Amrine’s wife and infant child were also present within the home.

Amrine, 22, appeared before Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso and pled guilty to Felon in Possession of a Weapon. Judge Caso also ordered Amrine to serve a 24-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release and to forfeit the firearm.

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

DA’s Office Kicks Off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week With Annual Flag Display. (Photo) - 04/17/26

DALLAS (OR) – National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 19th - April 25th. This week is a time to honor crime victims and survivors, and the professionals who provide critical services to victims of crime. 

The Polk County District Attorney’s Office seeks to create community awareness to show the impact that crime has had on victims in Polk County with its flag display. The display of flags recognizes the victims of crime, their families, and the many others in the system that seek justice on behalf of victims.  

A tradition established by the Victim Assistance Program through the Polk County DA’s Office is creating a visual display of flags during Crime Victims' Rights Week on the Courthouse lawn. The display represents the number of crime victims served by our program in 2025. Today, members of the DA’s Office placed over 2,000 flags on the lawn.

The individual numbers for each category are as follows.

DUII (Orange Flags) - 84

Property Crimes (Green and Yellow) - 772

Sexual Assault (Pink) - 44

Domestic Violence (Purple) - 277

Person Crimes (Red) - 731

Child Abuse (Blue) - 187

Survivors of Homicide Victims (White) - 17

Total: 2,112

The display will run through April 24.

Jury Finds Woman Guilty Of Burglary And Assault In 2025 West Salem Incident. (Photo) - 04/16/26

DALLAS (OR) – Maria Michelle Miller, of Salem, has been found guilty on all counts by a 12-person jury after a trial concluded in Polk County Circuit Court. The charges arose out of a June, 2025 incident in which Miller forced her way into the West Salem home of her ex-husband and physically assaulted a woman inside the home.

After a two-day trial, Miller, 60, was convicted of Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Harassment, and Trespassing. She was sentenced by Circuit Judge pro tem Timothy R. Park to serve 120 days in jail, five years of probation, and to get mental health treatment. At sentencing, the District Attorney’s Office argued for a longer sentence due to Miller’s prior felony convictions.

The case was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Garrett Lewellen.

Former Federal Corrections Officer Sentenced To Over 12 Years In Prison In West Salem Child Sex Abuse Case. (Photo) - 04/15/26

DALLAS (OR) – Peter Nicholas Fles, Jr., age 41, has been sentenced to serve 150 months (12 years, 5 months) in prison for sexually abusing a child under the age of 14 from West Salem. Fles, of Salem, 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 Fles on April 14, 2026, to two consecutive prison terms of 75 months each, pursuant to Oregon’s Ballot Measure 11 minimum mandatory sentencing law. Under that law, Fles is not eligible for any early release or other program that would result in a reduction of his sentence. At the time of his arrest in 2024, Fles was employed as a prison guard at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan.

The Polk County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for reporting the abuse and their bravery throughout the case. This office also thanks the Salem Police Department for their dedicated work on the investigation. The prosecution was led 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 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..