Emergency Info and Latest News from the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 27, 2023

Location: Deschutes River, near La Pine State Recreation Park

Narrative:

On May 27, 2023 at 3:15 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a boat crash on the Deschutes River near La Pine State Recreation Park. Initial reports advised a jet boat was travelling up river when it struck a submerged tree that was not visible. As a result of the collision one of the passengers, a 50 year old male, was ejected from the boat.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded to the scene to assist La Pine Fire/Medics with the medical emergency. The male who was ejected from the boat sustained serious injuries, and needed to be carried from the crash site to an awaiting ambulance. Once in the ambulance the patient was transported to a landing zone where he was then flown via air ambulance to St. Charles, Bend.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies investigated the cause and manner of the crash, the driver of the boat was cooperative and alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. The area of the Deschutes River the jet boat was being operated is closed to motorized craft, and the boat driver was issued a citation for that violation.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to exercise caution when recreating on or near water this weekend. Although air temperatures are warming, the water in our surrounding lakes and rivers is still very cold. Hypothermia can set in very quickly and can be life threatening if a life vest is not being utilized. Alcohol and drugs can impair the ability to operate a motorized vehicle due to the fact they slow coordination, judgement, and reaction times. Please recreate responsibly this Memorial weekend.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Release By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 27, 2023

Location: Paulina Lake, Newberry National Volcanic Monument

On May 27th, 2023, at 10:58 am, Deschutes County 911 Dispatch received a 911 call regarding an injured hiker on the Paulina Lakeshore Trail in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near the Paulina Lake Lodge. The caller reported that a 66-year-old female fell while hiking resulting in injuries that prevented her from walking.  Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers were activated, and a total of 7-SAR volunteers responded to this mission.   

Two SAR teams responded to Paulina Lake Lodge to access the trail. Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol deputies also responded to this call to assist as the Lakeshore trail was in-part accessible by boat. 

At approximately 12:03 pm both teams arrived at the Paulina Lakeshore trailhead.  SAR Team 1 arrived to the patient at approximately 12:12 pm and began to evaluate the hiker’s injuries.  SAR Team 2 arrived with a wheeled litter. The patient was then transported by wheeled litter to a boat accessible location on Paulina Lake. The patient was loaded onto a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol boat and transported to the Paulina Lake Lodge boat dock arriving approximately 1:15 pm where they met with La Pine Fire / Paramedics. The patient was subsequently transported by ambulance to St. Charles Bend. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 27, 2023

On Friday May 26th, 2023, at about 2:30 PM. Deschutes County 911 Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a motorcycle crash in the East Fort Rock OHV trail system area near China Hat Rd. milepost 17.5.  The 911 caller reported that a 63-year-old female had been riding on OHV "Trail 18" when she crashed on her motorcycle and sustained non-life-threatening injuries that limited her mobility. 

This 911 call was split to Bend Fire and Rescue, though due to the location of the patient, Bend Fire requested the assistance of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue volunteers.  The patient was reported to be approximately 1.5 miles from the nearest ambulance accessible road (China Hat Rd. FS 18).  Vehicle Access to the patient was limited (single track motorcycle trail) though people within the injured patient group reported that an ATV could access this location.  

At approximately 2:44 pm SAR volunteers were dispatched.  A total of 8-SAR volunteers with 6-SAR ATV's responded to this call, as well as two Special Services Deputies assigned to Search and Rescue.  At approximately 3:50 PM a Special Services Deputy arrived in the area and met with two motorcycle riders who were riding with the patient at the time of the crash.  

These riders assisted by identifying the quickest trail access to reach the patient for the responding SAR volunteers. At about 4:10 pm two SAR teams arrived at the staging location and deployed on ATV'S. At about 4:15 pm the SAR volunteers arrived with the patient.  

The patient's injuries were evaluated by SAR medical team members, and she was subsequently loaded into a litter and onto a patient transport ATV trailer (ATV towed trailer). The patient was then transported out of the trail system to China Hat Road where Bend Fire and Rescue were staged with an ambulance. The patient was then transported to St. Charles Bend. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Release By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 26, 2023

Location: Lost Tracks Golf Course, Bend, Oregon

Arrested: Laura Malinda Ann Allison, 42-year-old female, Bend

Charges: Assault 4th Degree, Menacing (2 counts)

Arrested: Michael Edward Parker, 47-year-old male, Bend, Oregon

Charges: Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing 

Victims: 16-year-old male, name withheld 

   18-year-old male, name withheld

Narrative:

On May 24, 2023, deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Lost Tracks Golf Course on a report of an assault that had just taken place. Initial reports detailed a female had just assaulted a golf course employee and that during the assault a male had brandished a machete. Both assailants were believed to be residents of the houseless camps on U.S. Forest Service land that borders the golf course.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned the female assailant, later identified as Laura Allison, had confronted one of the golf course employees about golf balls being hit over the driving range netting. During this confrontation Allison screamed obscenities at the juvenile employee and eventually began chasing him when the juvenile employee attempted to leave the area.

Allison then confronted the second golf course employee and struck him in the head with her fist. The employee defended himself and was able to eventually restrain Allison while the other employees contacted Deschutes County 911 Dispatch. During this melee Michael Parker arrived on scene, walking from his camp trailer that is located on U.S. Forest Service land that borders the golf course. Multiple witness advised deputies Parker was armed with a machete, which he removed from its sheath and brandished it in an aggressive manner towards the employee restraining Allison.

The employee, being afraid for his own safety and the safety of the others present opted to release Allison. Both Allison and Parker returned to their nearby camps.

Parker was located shortly after the incident and taken into custody. Parker was lodged at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail on the above listed charges.

Allison was contacted on May 25, 2023, and taken into custody. Allison was lodged at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail on the above listed charges.

Criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

La Pine, OR – 

On Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023, detectives with the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement team and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded a several-month-long investigation involving a group based in the La Pine area home that is allegedly growing and processing illicit marijuana and delivering to the mid-west and eastern portions of the United States. 

This case began with community complaints and tips about a Bend man operating an illicit marijuana grow in a residential area on Berg Lane in North Bend.

The Deschutes County Illicit Marijuana Enforcement Team requested the assistance of the Central Oregon Drug Team to further their investigation. As a result, CODE and DCIME detectives, drug agents, and intelligence analysts conducted surveillance of the identified man. During these surveillance operations, detectives identified a large criminal organization with an additional property in NW Bend and three growing and processing properties in La Pine.

On May 23rd, 2023, at approximately 7:00 AM, CODE and DCIME detectives, with the assistance of the Deschutes County Sheriff's SWAT Team and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), executed simultaneous Search Warrants in the following areas. 

· 800 block of NW Newport Ave, Bend

· 63000 block of Berg Lane, Bend

· 16000 block of Dyke Road, La Pine

· 52000 block of Polar Drive, La Pine

· 52200 block of Polar Drive, La Pine

During these search warrants, a total of 665 lbs. of processed marijuana flower and 630 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized as evidence from the five locations. In addition to marijuana, detectives also seized a large amount of US currency, evidence of inter-state trafficking, and financial crimes. 

During the execution of these search warrants, several people were detained and interviewed at the scenes. No arrests have been made at this time. However, several arrests are pending Grand Jury indictments. The names of these people are being withheld until additional follow-up investigations are complete, and indictments have been issued. 

Detectives are attempting to locate the following people of interest in this case;

Daniel Liautaud, age 36, of Bend, Oregon

Jackson Liautaud, age 31, of La Pine, Oregon

Anyone with information about the Liautauds' whereabouts is asked to call Detectives Dustin Miller or Tony Ramos at 541-693-9111 and reference case 23-25857. Do not attempt to arrest or detain them if seen. 

Possessing small amounts of marijuana is legal for recreational use in Oregon. However, large, unlicensed marijuana operations remain illegal. These unregulated operations pose dangers to the public and the environment. 

For example, during the search warrant on Berg Lane, detectives found the septic system was malfunctioning and overwhelmed with waste. Raw sewage was flooding the property and nearby soil for a lengthy time. A failing septic system can contaminate well water and nearby waterbodies. Untreated wastewater is a health hazard and can cause many human diseases. Once this untreated wastewater enters the groundwater, neighborhood wells and groundwater can be contaminated. Contaminated water used to cultivate illicit marijuana and later sold to the unwitting public is unsafe for consumption.

A Deschutes County Building Code Compliance Officer assisted after detectives observed numerous additional building code violations, in addition to the failing septic system. Some properties had dangerous electrical wiring, unpermitted electrical panels, exposed electrical wires, and unpermitted interior walls.

The Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement (DCIME) program is a partnership between the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, the Bend Police Department, and the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office to address illegal marijuana activity in Deschutes County. 

CODE and DCIME were assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Deschutes County Sheriff's Street Crime Unit, Redmond Street Crimes Unit, Bend Police Department and the Oregon State Police with the investigation, eradication, and dismantling of these sites.

Release By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 22, 2023

Location: 64000 block of Tumalo Rim Drive, Bend, Oregon

Arrested: Vincent, Jeremiah Anthony 47-year-old male, Bend

Charges: Probation Violation (Original Charge Assault IV)

Narrative:

On the morning of May 22, 2023, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 64000 block of Tumalo Rim Drive to conduct a welfare check on a female resident, and her two infant children.

Initial reports detailed the female was a prior domestic violence victim, and the offending party Jeremiah Anthony Vincent was on scene and had assaulted her. The reporting party advised Deschutes County 911 Dispatch the female victim was too scared to contact law enforcement, and her two infant children, under the ages of four were present with her at the residence.

Deputies responded to the area of the residence, and attempted phone contact to the victim who denied being at the residence. Deputies were able to determine this was not true and began initiating protocols for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team to respond.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT members responded to the scene and assumed command of the incident. Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office detectives responded to the scene and assisted with the investigative portion of the incident.

Based on the knowledge of the female being a prior victim of domestic violence, the fact two infant children were on scene, and the training and experience of the investigators about the cycle of abuse, this incident was treated as a hostage rescue.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the residence, to include all outbuildings and curtilage.

All investigative and negotiation tactics were employed during the over six-hour event. The female eventually agreed to exit the residence with her two children, however Jeremiah Vincent remained inside and refused to exit.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team members continued to loud hail the residence as they had for over three hours. Vincent eventually exited the rear of the residence when the front door was breached. Vincent was taken into custody and lodged at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail on the above listed charge.

Residents close to the incident were notified through the Emergency Preparedness Network, and advised there was no current threat to the community however heavy law enforcement presence was occurring in the area.

Criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Release By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 18, 2023

Location: 60000 block of SE 27th Street 

Driver#1: Richard Rathmell Jr. 76-year-old male, Bend

Driver #2: Bend–La Pine School District Bus Driver

Narrative:

On May 18, 2023, at approximately 8:30 am, deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on SE 27th Street, north of Rickard Road. Initial reports indicated a Toyota XA sport utility vehicle had collided head on with a Bend-La Pine School District bus.

Deschutes County 911 Dispatch was advised the bus was occupied with children, however they appeared to be un-injured. The driver of the Toyota XA, later identified as Richard Rathmell Jr., was attended to and evaluated by Bend Fire/Medics on scene. Rathmell Jr. was ultimately transported to St. Charles Bend for treatment.

The Bend-La Pine School District was contacted and arrangements to have the children picked up by a secondary bus was established. The children on the bus at the time of the crash were evaluated by a school nurse once they arrived at their school.

SE 27th Street was closed for a short time to conduct the investigation, evaluate and transport patients, and remove the damaged vehicles.

At this time the investigation is on-going, and more details will be released once they become available.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Release By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 9, 2023

Location: 55000 block of Forest Lane, Bend, Oregon

Arrested: Malmstrom, Kodiak Jack, 43-year-old male, Bend

Charges: Coercion (3 counts), Menacing (3 counts), Unlawful Use of a Weapon (3 counts), Pointing a Firearm at Another (3 counts), Reckless Endangering Another Person (3 counts)

Narrative:

On the evening of May 8, 2023, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of a domestic dispute in the 55000 block of Forest Lane. Deschutes County 911 Dispatch was contacted and advised Malmstrom was intoxicated and pointed a firearm at another person present at the residence.

All family members left the residence and barricaded themselves inside an apartment located on the second floor of a barn on the property. At this time Malmstrom was armed with a rifle and began attempting to gain access to the barn. Malmstrom eventually gained access to the barn and apartment just as deputies were able to detain him and take him into custody.

Neither Malmstrom nor any subjects on scene were injured. Malmstrom was transported to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail where he was lodged on the above listed charges.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Sunriver Police Department, and Oregon State Police for their assistance with this investigation.

Criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

****UPDATE****

Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall

Release Date: May 8, 2023

Location: Highway 97/Yew Avenue, Redmond

Arrested: Russell William Vortuba, 43-year-old male, Bend

Narrative:

On May 7, 2023, at approximately 5:00 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a vehicle pursuit of a homicide suspect, identified as Russell Vortuba, north on Highway 97 concluding just south of the City of Redmond near the Yew Avenue exit.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office initiated the pursuit after a black BMW SUV was seen travelling on Hunnel Road. The driver of the black BMW SUV, Vortuba, was a suspect in a homicide committed in the Powell Butte area of Crook County earlier in the day.

The suspect vehicle eventually proceeded north on Highway 97 while being surveilled by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office until additional resources were put into place. During this brief time the suspect vehicle was being surveilled it sped off at a high rate of speed, forcing the surveilling unit to initiate a pursuit.

During the pursuit, all southbound traffic on Highway 97 was stopped as a precaution. Deputies were able to set up spike strips near Highway 97 and SW Tomahawk Avenue in an attempt to immobilize the suspect vehicle, deflating some of the tires.

The suspect vehicle avoided being spiked near the Yew Avenue exit, when deputies utilized the Pursuit Immobilization Technique to bring the vehicle to a stop.

As deputies attempted to apprehend the suspect, they heard numerous gunshots from within the vehicle. Vortuba had intentionally shot himself numerous times. Deputies preformed emergency lifesaving measures prior to medical personnel arriving. 

Once medical personnel arrived, they attended to Vortuba and ultimately transported him to St. Charles in Bend. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Redmond Police Department, Oregon State Police, City of Bend Police Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Redmond Public Works for their assistance with this incident.

Requests for further information should be referred to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, as this is an active investigation.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

****END OF UPDATE****

Released by: Sergeant Jason Wall 

Release Date: May 7, 2023 

Location: Highway 97/Yew Avenue, Redmond

Arrested: Name withheld 

NARRATIVE: 

On May 7, 2023, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a vehicle pursuit north on Highway 97. The suspect vehicle left the roadway, in part due to the utilization of Pursuit Immobilization Technique near the Yew Avenue exit, and the driver/sole occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody and transported to St. Charles for treatment. 

There is no danger to the community at this time, and further information will be released as it becomes available.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County. 

Released by: Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Emergency Services Manager

Release Date: May 1, 2023

NARRATIVE:

On Wednesday, May 3rd at 1 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Deschutes County 911 will be sending a test message to people signed up for Deschutes Alerts.

Deschutes Alerts is the notification system we use to alert people of emergencies and evacuations in Deschutes County. We use Deschutes Alerts to send subscribers a message via smart phone app, text, email or phone call. If you live or work in Deschutes County, you should sign up for Deschutes Alerts. You can change or create your Deschutes Alerts profile at deschutesalerts.org.

The purpose of Wednesday’s test message is to ensure subscriber profiles are current. If you receive the message on May 3 and you don’t need to change anything on your profile, there’s no need to contact us. 

If you do not get the message within a few hours of the test, and you’re sure you have an account, or if you want to talk to us about Deschutes Alerts or change your profile, please call us at 541-550-4888 between 1pm and 5pm on May 3. 

If you have questions after May 3, you can call our office at 541-388-6501. We can help you confirm or make changes to your Deschutes Alerts profile right over the phone. 

You do not need to wait until May 3 to sign up or make sure your information is up to date. You can update or create your Deschutes Alerts profile any time by visiting deschutesalerts.org

We have developed a Deschutes Alerts Frequently Asked Questions page that you can visit here, or call our office at 541-388-6501.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

## End of Release ##