IN THE NEWS:


Investigation into Baby's Death

11-12-2018

Investigation into Baby's Death 

On November 11, 2018, Baker City Police responded to the 1300 block of Valley St., Baker City to a report of an unresponsive 2- month old child. Coree Welch (dob 8/2018) was found deceased. The parents of the child, Justin K. Welch (dob 10/1983) and Destinee L. Ross-Mann (8/1997) were present in the home. The cause of death appears to be related to co-sleeping. The Baker County Major Crime Team is investigating the death. Toxicology results related to the parents and child are pending. The investigation is continuing.

 

 


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Major Crime Team Investigates Homicide on Birch Street

11-07-2018

Major Crime Team Investigates Homicide on Birch Street

 

The Baker County Major Crime Team is continuing the investigation into the death of Liam Mankins (dob 9/2016). Liam sustained a fatal gunshot wound on November 4, 2018 at his home on Birch St., Baker City. The initial investigation indicates that Liam suffered a gunshot wound to the head. It does not appear that the wound was intentionally inflicted by another person. The preliminary investigation indicates that Liam got control of a loaded handgun and caused the handgun to discharge. The gun had not been secured in a safe place. The investigation is on-going and the case will proceed to a grand jury review once all aspects of the investigation have been completed.


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Baker County Grand Jury Determines Idaho Man Shot Baker City Man in Self Defense

11-01-2018

Baker County Grand Jury Determines Idaho Man Shot Baker City Man in Self Defense

 

On November 1, 2018 a Baker County Grand Jury determined that Jason Crump (dob 3/1983) of East Starcher St. Parma, Idaho acted in self-defense on October 1, 2018 when he shot Lucas Mc Millen. The Grand Jury heard testimony from witnesses regarding the shooting that occurred on Main St., in Baker City. Lucas Mc Millen (dob 4/1982) of Campbell St., Baker City, was shot by Jason Crump outside of the Main St. home at approximately 7:30 p.m. Mc Millen was shot in the neck and chest area.


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Idaho Man Arraigned on Manslaughter Charges

10-22-2018

Idaho Man Arraigned on Manslaughter Charges

 

On October 22, 2018 in Baker County Circuit Court, Adrienne Marie Larsen of 500 block of Park Center Blvd., Boise, ID was arraigned in Baker County Circuit Court on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Criminally Negligent Homicide and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. The charges stem from an automobile collision in which it is alleged that Larsen was travelling westbound on Oregon Route 86 when her vehicle crossed the right fog line and struck Dennis Timothy Chaney, (59 years of age) of 110 Mission Rd, Walla Walla, Washington. Chaney was outside of his vehicle on the shoulder of the highway when he was struck and killed. Larsen’s bail was set at $100,000. The case will proceed to the grand jury.


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Baker Man Sentenced After Pleading Guilty to Sexual Abuse Charges

10-15-2018

Baker Man Sentenced After Pleading Guiltin to Sexual Abuse Charges

 

 

On October 15, 2018, in Baker County Circuit Court, Joshua Rulon Page of the 300 block of 2ndSt. Baker City, Oregon, was sentenced to over eleven years in prison following a sentencing hearing in which he pled guilty to one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and another count of Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.


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Grand Jury Indicts Man in Sale of Firearm

09-13-2018

 

On September 13, 2018, a Baker County Grand Jury indicted Daniel Jason Blood (dob 11/83) on three criminal charges. Blood was charged with two counts of Theft in the First Degree and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Blood is alleged to have aided Oren Shaile Moore in facilitating the sale of a firearm. Moore was previously charged with two counts of theft for allegedly taking a handgun from the scene of a death involving Izah Gonzales on September 5, 2018. The charges for Blood relate to him aiding Moore in selling the handgun to a third party. Blood was arraigned on September 14, 2018 and bail was set at $45,000.


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Death Investigation Leads to Theft Charges for Items Removed from Crime Scene

09-07-2018

 

 

 

Death Investigation Leads to Additional Charges for Theft for
Removing Items from a Crime Scene 

 

On September 6, 2018, the Baker County Major Crime Team concluded its investigation into the death of Izah Nicholas Gonzalez (dob 11/2003). The cause of death has been determined to be suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 

The investigation was delayed as a handgun had been removed from the scene in which Gonzalez was discovered. Oren Shaile Moore (dob 3/1998) of Baker City, Oregon has been charged with two counts of Theft in the First Degree. Those charges allege that Moore removed the gun from the scene and sold it to another person. Moore discovered Gonzalez’s body at the Baker City Skate Park and took the gun prior to reporting the death to individuals who live near the Skate Park. The investigation into the transfer of the firearm is continuing and other charges are pending.

 

“The District Attorney’s Office takes removal of any item from a death scene very seriously as that effects investigations, and in this case delayed getting answers to a grieving family.” “This is a horrible trajedy and the law enforcement community of Baker County extends is condolences to Izah’s family at this time.”


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Baker Man Convicted of Coercion and Assault

08-21-2018

     On August 21, 2018, Circuit Court Judge Greg Baxter sentenced James Blitch (07/70) of the 2200 block of 5thSt. in Baker City, Oregon to four years with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Blitch was convicted at trial on August 9, 2018 on one count of Coercion and one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, both Class C Felonies. He was acquitted on one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree.


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Baker City Man Convicted of Felony Coercion and Assault

08-09-2018

On August 9, 2018 Baker County Circuit Court, Judge Greg Baxter found James Robert Blitch (dob 07-1970) of 2200 block of 5thSt., Baker City, Oregon guilty of Coercion, a Class C Felony and Assault in the Fourth Degree also a Class C Felony. Baxter acquitted Blitch on one other count of Felony Assault.


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Grand Jury Indicts Walla Walla Man on Gun and Drug Charges

07-12-2018

On July 12, 2018 a Baker County Grand Jury indicted Enrique Olmos (dob 02/78) of 9 West Chestnut St. Walla Walla, Washington) on four felony gun and drug charges.


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Sex Offender Probation Violation Results in Prison Term

05-16-2018

Baker City man is senteced to three years in prison for violating the terms of his probation in an Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree charge.  Antoine Mulder pled guilty to the charge in January 2017 and was senteced to five years of probation and was required to complete a sex offendre treatment program.


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Fight Leads to 55 Months in Prison

05-01-2018

On May 1, 2018 in Baker County Circuit Court, visiting Umatilla County Circuit Court Judge Jon Lieuallen sentenced Harold Irvin Wilkerson of the 3700 block of Campbell Street Baker City, Oregon, to 55 months with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Wilkerson pled guilty to Assault in the Third Degree, a Class C Felony. As part of his plea agreement with the Baker County District Attorney’s Office, a charge of Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree were dismissed. Wilkerson was charged with cutting Tyler Worstell with a knife during an altercation which occurred on July 17, 2017. The resolution to the case came following a full-day settlement conference between the parties conducted by Judge Lieuallen.


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Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution and Injuring Officer

03-06-2018

Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution and Injuring Officer 

March 5, 2018 Baker County Circuit Court Judge Greg Baxter sentenced Michael Allen Payne (dob: 06/XX/1983) of 2335 Baker Street, Baker City, Oregon, to 18 months with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Payne was convicted on six counts by a Baker County Jury on February 28, 2018. He was convicted of Interfering with a Peace Officer, Escape in the Third Degree, Resisting Arrest, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. The Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine charge was also enhanced due to the substantial quantity of methamphetamine involved (51 grams). The Unlawful Delivery charge was the only charge that carried potential prison time. Judge Baxter sentenced Payne to the presumptive prison sentence for that offense pursuant to the Oregon Sentencing guidelines. Payne was sentenced to three years formal probation on the other charges. He received 25 days in jail on the resisting arrest charge and 25 days in jail on the assault charge consecutive for a total of 50 days. The 18 month prison sentence will run consecutive to the 50 days in jail. When Mr. Payne completes his prison sentence he will be on post- prison supervision for three years and must complete substance abuse treatment as part of his supervision.

The charges stemmed from an incident on December 23, 2018 in which Mr. Payne was a passenger in a vehicle that had alluded Officer Coleton Smith of the Baker City Police Department. Officer Smith attempted to place Mr. Payne in custody after telling Payne he was under arrest. Deputy Gabe Maldonado of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist Officer Smith. Payne resisted Deputy Maldonado causing the deputy to suffer physical injury. Mr. Payne had a backpack on him and a bag with a zipper lock. In the locked bag was a total of 51 grams of methamphetamine, two sets of digital scales and other empty plastic bags with white residue. The delivery charge was based on a possession with intent to deliver theory. “We were pleased that Mr. Payne received prison time as he was clearly involved in distributing methamphetamine in our community. It was also important that he was held accountable for injuring a law enforcement officer.”


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Huntington Man Sentenced for Criminally Touching Underage Girls

11-01-2017

Huntington Man Sentenced for Criminally Touching Underage Girls

 

Seventy-year old Cecil Ray Noble of Rye Valley Ln, Huntington, Oregon pled guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and one count of Public Indecency on October 30, 2017.

 

Noble was sentenced to 75 months with the Oregon Department of Corrections with 45 months post- prison supervision. Because Sexual Abuse in the First Degree is a Ballot Measure Eleven crime he will not be eligible for good time.

 

Noble was charged with touching two underage girls on the buttocks in the Huntington park on March 10, 2017. The two 75 month sentences were run concurrent. Noble also received an executed sentence on the public indecency charge.

 

Noble will be required to complete sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender as part of 45 months post-prison supervision. That state agreed to run the sexual abuse charges concurrent so that the victims would not have to testify at trial, which was important to their parents. The victims’ families were very pleased with the result of the case.


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Meridian Woman Guilty in Death of Infant

10-23-2017

Meridian Woman Guilty in Death of Infant in her Care

 

A Meridian woman pled guilty to Criminally Negligent Homicide in relation to the death of an infant she was caring for in September 2014. Twenty-seven-year-old Kira Van Sickle was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years court supervision by Baker County Circuit Court Judge Greg Baxter.

 

The plea agreement allowed the parties to argue for a prison sentence between the range of 16 to 55 months in prison. The standard sentencing guidelines for Criminally Negligent Homicide is 18 months in prison, or if the death involves driving under the influence of intoxicants, up to 36 months in prison.

 

 


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Four Men Charged with Game Violations

10-05-2017

 

Thanks to the Diligence of Community, Four Men have been Charged with Multiple Game Violations

 

After a lengthy illegal poaching investigation by the Oregon State Police Game Division, four Astoria men have been charged with multiple game violations in the Lookout Mountain Unit by Baker County District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff.

 

“Citizen participation lead to the arrest of the individuals charged,” said Shirtcliff. “The diligence of the community is essential in a well-functioning criminal justice system and a key component to maintaining this great quality of life we have in Baker County,” said Shirtcliff.

 


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