One man still in custody on theft charges stemming from raid

All of the children are still in DHS custody

WOODBURN — Eleven of the 12 individuals arrested in a raid in downtown Woodburn last week have been released, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
Among those released is Joshua Dodgion, the man allegedly linked to a string of car break-ins throughout the area.
 
He and two others — Jenni Thomas and Eualia Griffith — were let out after an arraignment Jan. 21, on conditional release.”
 
However, MCSO spokesman Kevin Schultz said that doesn’t mean they are free of the system.
 
“They have to return to court so they’re still in the process,” Schultz said. “There are conditions placed on their release.
 
Five of the others had been released the day before with no action filed by the district attorney.
 
They were: Maribel Valenciano, Jeffery Rood Jr., Staci Eberius, Patrick Thomas and Jonathon Zelinka. Three more — Randy Thomas Jr., Anthony Scott Pierson, and Anthony Griffith — were released this week.
 
According to Deputy District Attorney David Wilson, one man — Jose Rene Ortega — remains in custody on a parole violation. He is facing at least one count of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamines).
 
“To charge a person with possession of methamphetamines, there has to be something that has methamphetamines on it or some methamphetamines present,” said Wilson.
Ortega was to appear for a second arraignment Friday.
 
Wilson said that in Oregon the charge usually receives presumptive probation.
Dodgion has an arraignment scheduled on Feb. 22 for unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and endangering the welfare of a minor. Jenni Thomas will be arraigned on Mar. 1.
For now, the charges against the others have been dropped; however, Wilson said they may be revisited in the future, depending on further review.
 
“In this case there were a lot of people involved and it just takes time for police reports to come in, so I’m still reviewing what’s coming in to see what the appropriate charges are,” said Wilson.
 
The Department of Human Services (DHS) took 11 children into custody following the raid at the home, which police said was littered with garbage and drug paraphernalia.
Woodburn Police officers said it appeared that methamphetamines had been used in the house.
 
Gene Evans, a spokesman for DHS, confirmed that as of Thursday, none of the children had been released.
 
“The children all continue to be in foster care with us,” Evans said.

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