Deschutes County District Attorney's Office

04/28/2023

This week, in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office and Victim Assistance Program were pleased to honor all of those who teamed together to respond to the mass violence incident at the Forum Shopping Center on August 28, 2022.

A special thank you to the four officers, who arrived first on scene, for their courageous and heroic acts. Without hesitation, these four officers entered Safeway to engage an active shooter, stop the threat and saved lives.

Please join us as we honor:
🔹City of Bend Police Department
🔹Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
🔹City of Redmond Police Department
🔹Sunriver Police Department
🔹Oregon State Police
🔹Crook County Sheriff’s Office
🔹Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
🔹Deschutes County 9-11 Dispatch
🔹City of Bend Fire Department
🔹City of Redmond Fire Department
🔹St. Charles Medical Center
🔹Oregon State Police Crime Lab
🔹Oregon Department of Transportation
🔹Deschutes County Behavioral Health
🔹Central Oregon Police Chaplaincy

04/26/2023

CONVICTED MURDERER JEFFREY SPOONIRE DENIED PAROLE

On April 19, 2023, the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision denied the parole application of Jeffrey Spoonire who is serving a life sentence for the 1982 murder of Mary Ann Thomas. The Parole Board found that Spoonire continues to have a present, severe emotional disturbance that would pose a danger to the safety of the community if he were to be released.

To see additional information and full press release, please visit our website at the link below.

https://www.dcda.us/convicted-murderer-jeffrey-spoonire-denied-parole/

02/17/2023

Sentencing in Double Murder Case:
On Aug. 17, 2022, Bend Police arrested 41-year-old Wesley Abel Brady on charges of Murder, Strangulation and Abuse of a Co**se in the deaths of 18-year-old Bend residents Angela Alexus Pastorino and Alfredo P. Hernandez.

Pastorino and Hernandez were at a home in the 20000 block of Mount Faith Place in Bend to assist the homeowner. That evening, Hernandez and the defendant got into a physical altercation and the defendant murdered both Pastorino and Hernandez. After the bodies of Pastorino and Hernandez were found by police, the defendant arrived in the area of the home while police were on scene. He was arrested and taken into custody.

To see additional information and full press release, visit our website at the link below.

Sentencing in Double Murder Case

01/24/2023

CONVICTION IN ROAD-RAGE INCIDENT

On April 16, 2021 at 11:00 PM, Kalan Roberts and another driver encountered each other while driving on Southbound Highway 97 in Bend. This encounter quickly escalated into a dangerous road-rage incident. Both drivers were increasing their speed to well over 100 mph in an effort to block and pass each other. After nearly striking other vehicles on the parkway near Powers Road, witnesses called 911 to report the incident. Unfortunately, within seconds, the other driver’s vehicle rammed into the back of a Southbound Jeep, which hurtled into a concrete wall. Immediately after, Roberts’ vehicle struck the other driver’s vehicle. The Jeep had four people in it who suffered serious physical injury, with some of the injuries being life threatening. Roberts fled the scene. He eventually came forward to the police 20 hours later, but presented a story that was provably false. Roberts and the other driver were indicted on numerous felony charges by a Deschutes County Grand Jury in April of 2022.

On December 12, 2022, Roberts pled guilty to four counts of Felony Assault in the Third Degree and one count of Felony Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver to Injured Persons. On January 5, 2023, Roberts was sentenced to serve 65 months in prison. Upon his release, Roberts will be subject to 36 months of post-prison supervision and his license will be suspended for five years from when he is released from prison. The other driver is pending trial and is presumed innocent until and unless he is convicted.

http://www.dcda.us/c5/services/press-releases/conviction-road-rage-incident/

01/18/2023

The DCDA team- Blue Blazers are plunging for a purpose in 2023! 👩‍💼🥶

•Please support our team by making a donation to benefit the Special Olympics Oregon!•

Click the link below:
https://support.soor.org/team/474965

01/03/2023

Today, Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels was sworn in.

With new leadership, we would like to announce our updated mission statement:

🔸It is the mission of the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office to seek justice, advance public safety and uphold the law. We strive to maintain public trust and serve the people of Deschutes County with fairness, integrity and honor.🔸

Please join us in welcoming DA Gunnels!

11/16/2022

Today, a Deschutes County jury convicted Ian Cranston for killing Barry Washington. Specifically, Cranston was convicted of Manslaughter in the First Degree, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of Assault in the First Degree. The jury acquitted Cranston of Murder in the Second Degree.

The full press release and statement from District Attorney John Hummel can be found by clicking on the link below.

Conviction in Downtown Bend Killing

11/04/2022

CHARGES FILED IN TIMBERS YOUTH SOCCER TEAM DISPUTE:
This morning, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel filed charges against three former administrators of the Bend FC Timbers youth soccer team: Tara Bilanski, former executive director; Jen Davin, former coach and assistant director; and Emily Williams, former accountant and bookkeeper.

Hummel charged the three suspects with the offense of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree. The state elected to file the Class C Misdemeanor offense as a violation.

To see additional information and full press release visit our website at the link below:

Charges Filed in Timber Youth Soccer Team Dispute

10/24/2022

This morning, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel filed criminal charges against former Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Brown. The charges followed a top-notch and thorough investigation conducted by the Oregon State Police.

Hummel charged Brown with three counts of Official Misconduct in the First Degree and one count of Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image.

Additional details and the full press release can be found on our website at:

http://www.dcda.us/c5/services/press-releases/former-deschutes-county-sheriffs-deputy-charged-crimes-using-his-authority-take-advantage-grieving-person/

09/27/2022

The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office was awarded funding this month from the Criminal Justice Commission to expand its Emerging Adult Program (EAP). The EAP is a pre- charge restorative justice program for young adult offenders that provides them with opportunities to redirect their lives, while simultaneously helping victims of crime achieve justice.

How YOU can make a difference…

🔸Become a Community Facilitator
•To learn more please register for our Informational Meeting on Nov. 17th @ 12:00pm OR 6:00pm•

Register: tiny.cc/DeschutesEAP

08/29/2022

We recognize the impact that crimes like this can have on not only the victims, but also the witnesses and all of the members of our community. We want you to know that we have services in place to support you. Victims Assistance, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, Bend-LaPine Schools and the Central Oregon Chaplaincy has set up a community support center at Pilot Butte Middle School. We will have mental health counselors available from 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm both today and tomorrow. We encourage anyone who would like support to access these services. Anyone who needs support outside those hours can access the Deschutes County Crisis Line.

Victims Assistance has established support through the Crime Victims Compensation Program for any person who was present at the scene of the crime or their next of kin. An application for these services can be completed through Victims Assistance or the directly through the Crime Victims Compensation Program site at https://www.doj.state.or.us/crime-victims/victims-resources/victims-services/compensation-for-victims-of-crime/

Deschutes County Victims Assistance (Monday- Friday 8am- 5pm) : 541-388-6525

Deschutes County Behavioral Health Crisis Line (24/7): 541-322-7500 ext. 9

Need Immediate Help? Shelters, Advocacy Programs and Legal Assistance » To connect with a trained advocate from a domestic violence or sexual assault victim service agency near you, use this link. National Su***de Prevention Hotline » Use this link or call 1(800)273-8255 for su***de prevention. Co...

08/26/2022

The Deschutes County DA’s Office is honored to be actively supporting the work of the CCJ’s Veterans Justice Commission by providing insight into the world of justice-involved veterans from the perspective of a prosecutor-led veteran diversion program.

More info:
Our role is to contribute to the research and discussions around unique challenges veterans are facing. We were invited to participate in the front-end advisory committee. There are three committees and the reports from each committee will be shared with the official Veterans Justice Commission which will then share their recommendations with the powers to be in Washington in hopes of building consensus around reforms that improve safety, health and justice for veterans.

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