McMinnville Man Sentenced To Over Two Years In Prison For 2024 DUII, Road Rage Incident That Left One Injured. (Photo) - 09/15/26

DALLAS (OR) – Today, Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso sentenced Christopher Jamie Current, age 57, to serve 28 months in prison (2 years, 4 months) after being convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Assault in the Third Degree.

Current, of McMinnville, plead guilty to the charges which arose out of a 2024 incident on Highway 18 near Grand Ronde. Investigators determined that Current and another driver were driving aggressively, at high speeds and caused a multi-car collision which resulted in serious injury to a third driver. Current was also determined to have been under the influence of controlled substances, including methamphetamine at the time of the collision. The other involved driver was separately prosecuted.

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

Salem Man Receives Two Years In Prison For Stealing Pick-up Truck. (Photo) - 09/04/26

DALLAS (OR) – Mario Mendoza, 56, has been sentenced to serve 24 months in prison after pleading guilty in Polk County Circuit Court to stealing a Ford F-150 pick-up truck in Pasco, Washington approximately two weeks ago.

Mendoza, of Salem, appeared before Circuit Judge pro tem Timothy R. Park and pled guilty to one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He will also be required to serve 12 months of Post Prison Supervision upon his release from custody. Mendoza has an extensive criminal history of fraud and other property crimes dating back over the last 20 years.

According to investigators, when Mendoza was arrested in the parking lot of the West Salem Goodwill, he told police that he had simply been borrowing the truck to pick up a part to fix his bicycle.

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

Joseph Wirkkala Sentenced To Life In Prison For 2025 Wallace Marine Park Murder. (Photo) - 09/01/26

DALLAS (OR) – Today, Polk County Circuit Judge Norman R. Hill sentenced Joseph Andrew Wirkkala, age 38, to life in prison for the 2025 murder in Salem’s Wallace Marine Park of Jacob Collazo, age 62. Under the terms of the sentence, Wirkkala will be required to serve a minimum of 32.5 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

In addition to the charge of Murder in the Second-Degree, a Polk County jury found Wirkkala, of Salem, guilty of Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, and Reckless Endangering involving Mr. Collazo.  The jury also found Wirkkala guilty of Attempted Murder in the Second-Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Attempted Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Reckless Endangering, involving Nichelle Issak, age 36. The jury also found Wirkkala guilty of Recklessly Endangering a third victim, Edward Baker, age 50.

After the sentencing, Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson commented, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Collazo on their tragic and senseless loss. It is our hope that the court’s sentence today leaves them feeling that some measure of justice has been served. We also extend our gratitude to the dedicated officers of the Salem Police Department for their investigation and commitment to seeing Mr. Wirkkala brought to justice.”

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson, and Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson. The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and Oregon State Police.

Joseph Wirkkala Guilty Of Murder, Attempted Murder In 2025 Wallace Marine Park Shooting Incident. (Photo) (UPDATED) - 08/27/26

DALLAS (OR) – Joseph Andrew Wirkkala, 37, has been found guilty by a Polk County jury of Murder in the Second Degree and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree for separate shooting incidents in August, 2025 at West Salem’s Wallace Marine Park that left one person dead

In addition to Murder in the Second Degree and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree involving a separate victim, Wirkkala, of Salem, was found guilty of Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon (2 counts), Menacing (2 counts), Reckless Endangering Another Person (2 counts), Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before reaching its verdict after a three-day trial which was overseen by Polk County Circuit Judge Norman R. Hill. Wirkkala is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1 at 8:00.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson, and Deputy District Attorney Connor Amundson. The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and Oregon State Police.