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