District Attorney Report for Wheeler County

On September 8, 2023, Katen Von Blalack of Prineville, Oregon, pled guilty to Reckless Driving, a Class A Misdemeanor committed on March 28, 2023. The matter was investigated by OSP Trooper David Sprouffske, with assistance from OSP Troopers Blood, McCosker and Timko. The matter occurred on Highway 26, about 5 miles east of Mitchell. Judge Olson sentenced Mr. Blalack to 24 months' probation, suspended his driver's license for 90 days, ordered him to complete an Oregon Department of Transportation Driver's Safety Course within 2 months of sentencing and provide proof within two months to the court. Judge Olson ordered Mr. Blalack to pay $250 in fines. Mr. Blalack also pled guilty to menacing, constituting domestic violence, a Class A Misdemeanor, subject to the general conditions of probation and to have no contact with the victim.

Cristie Jo Hughes of Mitchell, Oregon pleaded to harassment on October 13, 2023, for an event occurring on May 18, 2023 investigated by Wheeler County Sheriff Office Lt. Elliot. Judge Ostrye sentenced her to 12 months bench probation and special condition to not have offensive contact with the victim and provide a release of information to the court regarding compliance with a condition of her probation.

Daniel Henderson Chavez of Happy Valley, Oregon pleaded guilty to driving while suspended as a violation on October 13, 2023, for an incident that occurred on July 22, 2023 near Mitchell. Wheeler County Sheriff Office Deputy Hines investigated the matter. Judge Ostrye sentenced Mr. Henderson Chavez to a fine of $440.

On October 13, 2023, Judge Ostrye accepted Mr. Christopher Keksi's agreement to enter diversion on a Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants charge. Under the agreement, Mr. Keksi has one year to complete the terms of diversion, including paying a $490 diversion fee to the court, attend a victim impact panel to learn how alcohol and drug impaired driving impacts the lives of others, install and use an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he operates during the period of diversion and complete an alcohol and drug evaluation and complete treatment as prescribed through Community Counseling Solutions. Mr. Keksi is from Bend, Oregon. Wheeler County Sheriff Deputy Hines investigated the matter that occurred on Highway 19, milepost 64 on October 6, 2023.

On December 8, 2023, Judge Olson accepted Titus Moyer's 6-month diversion agreement for harassment for subjecting a victim to offensive physical contact on the condition that he follow the terms of the diversion agreement. On May 2, 2024, Judge Olson approved the motion to dismiss the matter as Mr. Moyer successfully completed diversion. Mr. Moyer is from Fossil.

January 12, 2024, Judge Olson defaulted Mr. Tucker Fahlgren when he failed to appear in court on the violation of failure to install an ignition interlock device and imposed a $600 fine. Mr. Fahlgren is from Prineville. OSP Trooper Routson investigated the DWS matter on Highway 26, on New Year's Day near Mitchell, Oregon.

Judge Olson also accepted Mr. John Reoch's plea to Driving While Suspended or Revoked and ordered him to pay a $500 fine. WCSO Lt. Elliot investigated this matter on Highway 19/207 at milepost 92 on May 29, 2023 during holiday traffic when he saw the defendant on a motorcycle pass in a no passing zone. Lt. Elliot also gave Mr. Reoch a verbal warning for passing in a no pass zone and not having installed the ignition interlock device. Mr. Reoch is from Redmond, Oregon.

Judge Ostrye accepted Mr. Charles Ackerman's entry into a DUII diversion agreement on February 9, 2024. WCSO Deputy Hines investigated the matter which happened on Highway 19 north of Fossil on November 19, 2023. Mr. Ackerman's BAC was .13%. Mr. Ackerman is from Condon.

Judge Ostrye also accepted Mr. Florentino Espinoza's DUII diversion agreement on February 9, 2024 for a matter investigated by WCSO Sgt. Holmes on Rowe Creek Road on December 26, 2023. The court dismissed the failure to report accident violation in a related incident. Mr. Espinoza's BAC was .21%. Mr. Espinoza is from Fossil.

Mr. Joshua Hunter of Prineville pled guilty to Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants on February 9, 2024. WCSO Deputy Hines investigated the matter on October 21, 2023. Mr. Hunter's BAC was .23%. Judge Ostrye accepted Mr. Hunter's plea to Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. The court considered Mr. Hunter's ability to pay and suspended $1500 of the $2,000 fine if he completed his alcohol and drug assessment within 60 days of the sentence order. The court can impose up to $2,000 fine where the person's blood alcohol content is over .15%, if the person s able to pay the increased fine amount.

The court ordered Mr. Hunter's Oregon Driver's License suspended for 1 year, attend a victim impact panel, perform 80 hours of community service in his county of residence, provide a release of information for proof of compliance to the court with the condition of an alcohol and drug evaluation and treatment as recommended.