Wheeler County District Attorney Report

Wheeler County District Attorney Gretchen Ladd provided this report for March through June 2024.

On March 8, 2024, Judge Wolf accepted the guilty plea of Mr. Ethan Moore, Grant County, to Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, a Class C Felony, for a pursuit that occurred on Highway 19 between Service Creek and Winlock Lane on November 10, 2023 at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Mr. Gums of Columbia Gorge Defenders in The Dalles represented Mr. Moore. The matter was investigated by WCSO Deputy Hines with assistance from OSP Trooper Routson. The presumptive fine for violation of the basic rule for 100+ mph is $1150.

Judge Wolfe sentenced Mr. Moore to 18 months supervised probation, Oregon Department of Transportation Safety School online with proof of completion to his probation officer, 80 hours of community service in Grant County, 90-day driver license suspension, with no possibility of a hardship permit. A misdemeanor treatment on successful completion of probation, $750 fine, letter of apology for putting people's lives in danger.

On March 28, 2024, Mr. John Rose of Mitchell pleaded guilty to Attempted Arson, Burglary in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for a February 22, 2024 incident. Mr. Gums of Columbia Gorge Defenders in The Dalles represented Mr. Rose. Undersheriff Elliot investigated Mr. Rose for damaging property at the Mitchell Post Office by fire and a knife, and breaking into the Wheeler County Trading, shattering a plate glass window and damaging merchandise.

Judge Weatherford sentenced Mr. Rose to 30 days in jail on the criminal mischief counts with credit for time served of 30 days, 24 months supervised probation, $2,000 fines all suspended on successful completion of probation, no contact with the Wheeler County Trading Company, letter of apology, no intoxicants or controlled substances except prescribed medications, complete a substance abuse evaluation and treatment as recommended, not possess any drug paraphernalia or frequent places where narcotics are sold, used or kept and not associate with any person known to use, sell or keep illegal drugs or narcotics, not possess fire starting tools, weapons or knives except for household use, complete a mental health evaluation and treatment as recommended and pay $2,073 to the Wheeler County Trading Company for damage to the business, with the damage amount to the post office to be determined. Mr. Rose is subject to 18 months Department of Corrections prison time if revoked from probation.

On April 12, 2024, Mr. Theodore Jewell from Grant County pleaded to Driving While Suspended on Highway 19 near the Kinzua Junction on November 7, 2023, investigated by Sheriff Mike Smith. Mr. Ballard of Hermiston represented Mr. Jewell. Judge Ostrye ordered Mr. Jewell to pay a $440 fine.

Mr. Thomas Stevens of Fossil entered diversion on April 12, 2024 for 24 months on improper transfer of a firearm investigated by Wheeler County Sheriff Office Deputy Hines. Judge Ostrye ordered Mr. Stevens to have no contact with the complaining party, forfeit the firearm to the state for disposition, $500 fine if Mr. Stevens violates the diversion agreement. If Mr. Stevens successfully completes the diversion agreement, the matter will be dismissed.