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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2017)
REGION Saturday, June 3, 2017 East Oregonian MILTON-FREEWATER Page 3A HERMISTON Drug busts nets arrest of major dealer Police looking for man for involvement in recent fatal shooting By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian The Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team took down two Milton-Freewater men for dealing drugs. Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts, who heads the team’s board, said the bust of one suspect is big enough to put a serious dent into illegal drug activity in the Milton-Free- water area. Roberts said the anti-drug task force had search warrants in hand Wednesday for two Milton-Freewater homes: 504 Elzora Loop, the residence Torres of Adan Nievez Torres, 43; and 1501 N. Elizabeth St., space F in the Locust Mobile Village, where Carlos Razo Cisneros, 43, lived. The team created a ruse to lure Torres out of his home, Roberts said, and he drove off in a red 2003 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, registered to Torres Family Landscaping, of Lakewood, Wash- ington. Drug team members and Oregon State Police stopped the pickup. Roberts said the tactic allows police to better control the situation. And, he added, traffic stops are not uncommon for drug couriers, with some even breaking traffic laws to measure police reactions. During the stops, he said, offenders often play it cool. “That was the way this was approached,” Roberts said. Police searched the pickup and then officers from multiple local agencies descended on Torres’ home, where they found the following: • 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine; • 4.3 pounds of heroin; • 5.6 pounds of cocaine; • $26,166 in U.S. currency. Police also seized scales and pack- 2:35 a.m. Saturday. Officers said at that time An arrest warrant has they would like to speak been issued for Tyree to Houfmuse about the Quaddray Houfmuse, a incident. Houfmuse is Afri- 6-foot-1, suspect in the killing of can-American, James Cragun in Hermiston 200 to 240 pounds and has several tattoos, including a on May 27. The Hermiston Police large rose on the left side Department on Friday of his neck. According to the statement, released a state- Houfmuse’s last ment about the known residence investigation. was Tacoma, “We wanted Washington. to push out this Houfmuse information in has been arrested hopes a member for several other of the public violent disputes either in our area in Hermiston or in the Pacific and Tri-Cities, Northwest would Houfmuse most recently assist by calling for a shooting in their local author- ities if they know the where- November 2014 outside abouts of Mr. Houfmuse,” a Kennewick bar that left said Hermiston Police another man paralyzed. He Chief Jason Edmiston. was arrested in Hermiston “This investigation is still shortly after, but a jury in very active as an incred- 2015 determined that he ible amount of physical had acted in self-defense. In 2005, Houfmuse evidence has been seized and will be processed by pleaded not guilty to an the Oregon State Police attempted murder charge, in which he allegedly fired crime lab.” Edmiston said infor- shots into a moving vehicle mation about the physical with three people in it. evidence in the investiga- No one was injured, and tion would not be disclosed. the charge of attempted Houfmuse, 34, was murder was dismissed. But identified as a person of Houfmuse was charged interest after James John with menacing, assault in Cragun, 38, was found the third degree, unlawful dead from gunshot wounds use of a weapon against at his home, Viewcrest another, criminal mischief Apartment complex at 525 and unlawful possession of S.W. 13th Place, around a firearm. East Oregonian Contributed photo Police confiscated 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 4.3 pounds of heroin, 5.6 pounds of cocaine and $26,166, two firearms, body armor, scales and packaging material in a bust on Wednesday. aging material, body armor and two guns, one of which was stolen out of the Walla Walla area. Police arrested Torres for possession and delivery of meth, cocaine and heroin. He also could face charges of felon in possession of firearms and body armor, and possession of stolen property. The quantities of drugs, Roberts said, was substantial, particularity the amount of heroin. Walla Walla area law enforcement have dealt with Torres since the 1990s, he said, and the bust was the culmination of an investigation at least a year into a large-scale drug trafficking organization “responsible for distributing substantial amounts of narcotics throughout northeast Oregon and southeast Washington.” Roberts said cutting off this kind of hand that feeds drugs to so many has a significant affect on lowering crime in local communities. While serving the second warrant, Roberts reported the team found Cisneros trying to destroy drugs. Police found he had 16 grams of meth, scales and packaging material. Cisneros, according to Roberts, also had a loaded .32 caliber handgun concealed on his person at the time of his arrest. Police arrested Cisneros for possession and delivery of meth and he could face a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. BENT referred both cases to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Roberts said Cisneros and Torres are connected but he could not reveal those details at this time. He also said police do not know if there is a connection to the landscaping company. Drug organiza- tions use businesses as fronts to launder their money, he said, but whether that’s the case here remains a question. Torres and Cisneros remain in the Umatilla County Jail, Pendleton. Circuit Judge Jon Lieuallen set bail for Cisneros at $50,000 and for Torres at $3 million. Officers with Oregon State Police, Walla Walla Police Department, Pend- leton Police Department, Hermiston Police Department and Morrow County Sheriff’s Office assisted BENT detec- tives during the raids. Eight people vying for two seats on Umatilla City Council By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian Eight people will vie for two seats on the Umatilla City Council next Tuesday. Two of the candidates will be appointed by current council members after a ques- tion and answer period at the start of next week’s council meeting. They are needed to replace David Lougee and Mary Dedrick, who both resigned in May. Applicant Lyle Smith has a history of involvement with the city, including four years on the city council previously and four years on the city’s planning commission. He recently threw his hat in the ring for mayor, but the council appointed Darren Dufloth instead. Mark Keith is the director of the Umatilla Medical Clinic and also serves the community as a firefighter paramedic. James Deacon is a Depart- ment of Corrections employee and a grandfather who has lived in Umatilla for 16 years. Jodi Hinsley is a mother of three who raised her children in Umatilla and has 20 years of management experience. Selene Torres-Medrano served as the chair of the bond committee for Umatilla School District’s bond that passed in November and has student leadership experience from her time at Washington State University. Tracy Finck has lived in Umatilla for 29 years and works for the city of Herm- iston’s parks and recreation summer program. Clayton Hayes is a Umatilla business owner who has lived in the city 33 years. Veronica Zapata is a licensed insurance agent, a notary and previously worked for Umatilla School District. After taking the oath of office on Tuesday, the two candidates chosen by the council will be asked to join the rest of the council in approving the city’s 2017- 2018 budget and a authorizing the mayor to sign several leases and intergovernmental agree- ments, including a contract for the fire district to lease office space from the city, an agree- ment to use Umatilla County’s GIS mapping and planning services, an agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation, an agreement with Oregon State University to promote the SNAP-Ed program, and a service contract with the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce. The contract with the SUBMIT COMMUNITY NEWS Submit information to: community@eastoregonian.com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966-0818 with questions. Umatilla County Historical Society Presents: chamber states that in exchange for 50 percent of the city’s transient room tax funds the chamber will provide support to local businesses, market Umatilla, maintain the city’s visitor center and work to increase the number of “group travel activities” such as confer- ences and sport tournaments taking place in Umatilla. Prior to the regular city council meeting at 7 p.m. the public is invited to an open house from 5:30-7 p.m. at city hall to learn about Umatilla Together, the downtown revitalization and economic development plan put together by Portland State University graduate students with input from the community. HELLO, My name is Lucee, and I went missing Sunday 5/28/17. I don’t know where I am, but I’m trying to find my way home. I sure miss my family and all my toys! I live at Blake Ranch, out of Heppner, OR on Coyote Lane. I know all of of my family and friends, and neighbors have been looking all over for me, and are really worried about me! So, if you could please help me find my way home, my family will give you a $1,000 REWARD. (No questions asked). If you could share this little note with all of YOUR family and your friends, it would make me and my family so thankful, and hopefully I will be home SOON! I love everybody! PLEASE, call my Mom Linda Severns, 1-541-676-5750 or 1-541-626-1458 Love, Lucee NO QUESTIONS ASKED! The Old Iron Show Friday - Sunday, June 2 - 4 Experience the sights, sounds and mechanical marvels of an earlier time • Vintage cars, tractors, machinery and early engines • Demonstrations throughout the weekend • Rides for the kids in our tractor train Residen�al - Commercial - Security Systems Fire Alarm Systems - Video Surveillance 24-Hour UL Monitoring 541-564-9398 541-276-4847 www.smithsecurityllc.com Your Local Security Company CCB# 206065 WA: SMITHSL842C6 In Roy Raley Park (Pendleton) Free Admission for All HEALTHY FRIDAYS FREE health screenings & health coaching: Blood pressure checks, weigh-ins, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose. First Friday of every month 8am-11am GSMC Conference Center 7 (by Education Dept) TECHNIQUES OF RELAXATION FREE class to effectively combat stress. Come learn about different ways to relax your body and take some time for yourself. 8 weekly classes. Space is limited. Mondays Starting June 5th • 10-11am Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509 BABYSITTING BASICS For babysitters ages 10-15. Learn childcare techniques, children's developmental stages and what to expect, basic first aid and infant and child CPR. $50, includes lunch & all class materials. 9:00am - 3:00pm June 10, Aug. 5 or Sept. 9 Must pre-register and pre-pay, call 541-667-3509 Information or to register call (541) 667-3509 or email healthinfo@gshealth.org www.gshealth.org This Monday and every fi rst Monday you can enjoy a free cup of hot coffee and a one-on-one discussion with Pendleton’s city manager Robb and a few of his key staff in a conversational setting. Drop in any time between 8 and 10 am. June. 5 th
