Court News

First Appearance/Arraignment:

Christina L. Johnson, 45, Starbuck; entered not-guilty plea on all charges for behavior reportedly taking place on July 8 including: second-degree assault for the alleged strangulation of her husband, a class B felony; driving under the influence (DUI), a gross misdemeanor; disorderly conduct for abusive language; and contempt of court for disobeying the judge’s orders of release after leaving the county jail.

Trials Set:

*Marshall Hernandez, 54, Dayton; charged in January with arson, reckless burning, and possession of stolen property.

Delores L. Elder, 50, Dayton; charged in June with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture or deliver, possession of a controlled substance (meth), and use of drug paraphernalia. Trial reset.

*Brandon W. John, 32, Dayton; suspected of two charges of first-degree escape. John, who was sentenced to prison and treatment last year after being locally convicted of arson, is accused of leaving the treatment center in January to get a beer and not immediately reporting to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly left the center again a few days later. John has been released from county jail on bail.

*John E. Stearns, 59, Waitsburg; bail amount reduced to $30,000. Stearns is charged with second-degree rape and second-degree theft for allegedly having sex in February with an adult female in Dayton whom the prosecutor alleges was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. He is also accused of illegally using this same female’s state Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, card in April. Stearns is currently being held in the Columbia County Jail.

Other Legal Action:

*Zachary T. Koehler, 28, College Place; charged with second-degree theft. Koehler was allegedly involved in the theft of a hydraulic motor and auger in January. Koehler’s case was continued to August 5 for trial setting.

*Curtis A. Jones, 31, Hermiston; formally arraigned on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and trespassing. Case continued to August 5.