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Archived News Article

Stayton Area resident Jeremy Harris is currently serving 10 years for multiple crimes including: Theft,
Burglary (multiple counts), Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (multiple counts), Sex Abuse II, Sex Abuse I (child)

Read the 2012-2015 chronological story thread below

Chronological Story Archive Thread

Stayton Man Bitten Then Arrested In Burglary, Two Others Sought

Stayton, OR. Sept 11, 2012 - Employees of a local metal salvage & recycling business arrived at work at about 8:30am Tuesday to find someone had broken into the business. The business, RDMS Inc., is located in the 9000 block of Silver Falls Highway SE, Aumsville (Shaw).

Employees discovered that offices had been entered; items stolen and a company truck and box trailer were missing from the storage yard of the business.

While checking the area, the employees spotted the truck, stranded on the Willamette Valley Railway tracks about 500 yards away. The tracks are immediately adjacent to the business. The employees could see several people trying to free the stuck vehicle. Upon being seen by the employees, the suspects ran north along the tracks into a wooded area.

A preliminary investigation, conducted by Deputy Brenda Lumley, revealed that at least three thieves took office equipment, generators, welders and other industrial equipment, along with scrap metals that were being collected for recycling. The stolen items were loaded into a truck and trailer belonging to the victim. To avoid a confrontation with the employees, the thieves took the only escape route available to them but were unable to navigate the railroad tracks. Most of the items were recovered from the abandoned, stolen truck and trailer.

Marion County Deputies, assisted by Salem Police Officers, established a perimeter in the area and used canines to search. MCSO and SPD canines searched for hours. SPD Officer Morrison's dog, Dillon, located a suspect hiding in some bushes at about 11:00am. The suspect refused to surrender or follow the Officer's commands. He received dog bites prior to being arrested.

Jeremy Daniel Harris, 34, of Stayton, was taken to Salem Hospital for treatment. He was then booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of Burglary and Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. According to a police news release, he has an extensive record including drug sales and weapons charges. Police later conducted a search on the property at which Harris resides at 41407 Stayton Scio Road, Stayton, and arrested his mother, Patricia Ann Harris on accusation of Tampering with Physical Evidence. The subject property is owned by Patricia Harris and her sister Karen Mary Green. Additional information from that search is expected sometime Thursday. Jeremy Harris' arraignment is scheduled for Friday, September 21 and Patricia Harris is to be arraigned October 3, 2012.

At least two suspects remain at large. They were described by the employees as male and wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information on the identity of the remaining suspects can call the Marion County Sheriff's Tip Line, 503-540-8079 to leave anonymous information. You can also send information to Detective Admin Kimberly Thomas at Kdthomas@co.marion.or.us (Refer: case #: SMS12016667).

Stayton, OR. Sept 12, 2012 - Marion County Detectives have continued the investigation into Tuesday's burglary of the metal salvage company, RDMS, Inc.

Jeremy Harris was arrested Tuesday, after he was discovered hiding in some bushes near the burglary scene. Canines assisted deputies in locating Harris. Deputies believe there were at least two other suspects who were able to get away. 

Late Tuesday evening members of the Marion County SWAT team secured two homes located on a 5-acre parcel on the Stayton-Scio Highway just outside Stayton. One of the homes was the residence of Jeremy Harris; the other was occupied by relatives and friends of Harris.

As they arrived at the property, they discovered several people had built a large burn pile, and were in the process of burning what later turned out to be suspected stolen property. Deputies also observed a number of vehicles stored on the property along with other items that were similar to the items targeted in the RDMS burglary.

Burn Pile and 2011 Ford F350

Early Wednesday morning, Detectives served search warrants on both residences. Two vehicles found to the rear of one residence were immediately identified as being stolen. A 2011 Ford F350 truck was reported stolen in Stayton on July 1st of this year. It had been partially stripped. A second vehicle, a 2005 Pontiac was reported stolen to the Salem Police department on June 27th of this year. It had been stripped and then destroyed by cutting the roof from the vehicle and shooting out the windows. Also discovered was a Polaris 700cc Sportsman 4-wheel quad, stolen several months ago from a residence in Linn County. Other vehicles and trailers on the property are still being checked to determine if they are stolen.

2005 Pontiac

Deputy inspects suspected stolen trailer

Detectives are continuing to search the homes for suspected stolen property.

Stayton Police Officers assisted in stopping several vehicles as they left the residence. Detectives were concerned that stolen property was being destroyed or moved.

Elizabeth Hope Sullivan, 34, was arrested as she left the house. She was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and booked into the Marion County Jail.

A second female was in the vehicle, along with her 6-year old granddaughter. She claimed to live in one of the houses at the property, but Detectives weren't able to directly connect her to the burglary at this time. The child was referred to Department of Human Services due to the filthy living conditions observed once Detectives were able to search the house in which she lived with her grandmother.

Dylan David Gottfried, 23, of Salem, was arrested on a parole violation shortly after arriving at the residence. He is an associate of Jeremy Harris.

Patricia Harris, 57, mother of Jeremy Harris was arrested after leaving the residence in a vehicle containing firearms suspected to be stolen. She was charged with Tampering with Evidence after admitting to Detectives she was helping her son move property to avoid him facing additional criminal charges. Her vehicles and the firearms were seized as evidence.

Detectives sort recovered property

Additionally, two vehicles stopped as they left the property were seized while deputies seek additional search warrants to recover suspected stolen property inside the vehicles. The investigation is ongoing. Photos from the warrant are courtesy of Marion County Police department.

Update #2: Suspect Harris Skips Arraignment, Arrested on Warrant but Again Released

Stayton, OR. Sept 23, 2012 - Jeremy Harris was arrested and lodged in Marion County jail on September 11, 2012 on charges of Burglary II and two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle stemming from the September 11 burglary of the metal salvage company, RDMS, Inc. His bail was set at $30,000. Harris was released from jail on September 12 without posting bail due to a jail budget related forced release. Marion County jail has over 700 beds but because of operating budget levels they only use about 400 of them. He was scheduled for arraignment at 8:30am on Friday, September 21 on the Burglary and Unauthorized Use charges. Mr. Harris failed to appear at his scheduled arraignment on Friday. According to new jail records he was picked up on a failure to appear warrant September 22 and again booked into Marion County jail at approximately 6:30pm Saturday night. Bail was set at $50,000. Jail records show Mr. Harris was once again out on a forced released before midnight Saturday and is now re-scheduled for arraignment on October 9th. No additional charges have yet been filed against Mr. Harris as a result of the raid at his residence on September 12th as the Marion County District Attorney's office continues to investigate. His mother Patricia Harris, also released, is awaiting her arraignment on October 3rd on a charge of Tampering With Evidence as a result of that raid.
 

Update #3: Public Viewing Of Recovered Stolen Property Is Wednesday, October 10th

Stayton, Oct 9, 2012 - Marion County detectives have continued their investigation into a burglary ring broken up earlier in the month. The investigation started with the burglary of RDMS Inc, near Aumsville on September 11th, and continued with the search of the suspect's property located on the Stayton -Scio Highway on September 12th.

Detectives have arrested four people in connection with this case. In addition to stolen vehicles found on the property, they now have a quantity of other recovered property that they believe is stolen.

The property includes hand and power tools, commercial floor cleaners and buffers, stereo equipment, laptop computers, printers and other computer equipment, (2) flat bed (dual axle) trailers, cell phones, Nintendo and X-Boxes, leaf blowers, weed eaters, chain saws, air hoses, binoculars, fuel tank, 2-way radios, shop lights, keys and vehicle remote entry fobs, fishing poles, generators, compressors and firearms.

A public viewing has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 10, 2012, from 9am to 11:30am and continuing from 1:30pm to 4pm. The viewing will be held in Building D (a warehouse located at rear of the Marion County Jail Campus), 3990 Aumsville Hwy, SE., Salem, OR 97317.

If you've been the victim of a crime, please bring evidence that you've reported the theft to your local law enforcement agency. If possible, bring a case number to connect the property to our case (SMS12016667).

If you didn't list a particular item on your property loss form with the police agency, you can bring other legitimate ownership documents, such as packaging the item came in, instruction manual, insurance documents, purchase receipts, etc.

Property will be released to owners at the time of viewing. If you anticipate needing a trailer or pickup to transport the property home, it would be helpful if you can be prepared to do so at the time of the viewing.

If you have any questions, please contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office Property Room, at (503) 588-5077.

Update #4: Harris and His mother arraigned on original charges. 

Stayton, Oct 14, 2012 - Patricia Harris appeared at her Marion County Court arraignment hearing on October 3 and was charged with one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence. She is scheduled to re-appear at a plea hearing on October 31, 2012.

Jeremy Harris appeared in Marion County Court at his second scheduled arraignment hearing on October 9 and was charged with Burglary and two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle from the original burglary arrest at RDMS Inc, in Shaw. He is scheduled to re-appear at a plea hearing on October 23, 2012.

Both Jeremy Harris and Patricia Harris remain released.

No charges have yet been filed against Mr. Harris as a result of the raid on his property at 41407 Stayton Scio Road. According to Marion County District Attorney's office, the matter remains under further investigation and the Sheriff's Office is working on identifying additional victims. They contemplate an additional charge or charges in the future if supported by the evidence.

Update #5: Suspect In Recent Burglary Ring Now Arrested On Rape Charge

Stayton, Oct 25, 2012 - On Wednesday a female victim contacted the Stayton Police Department regarding a sexual assault that occurred earlier in the day. The assault occurred in the 9800 block of Golf Club Road. Subsequently, Jeremy Daniel Harris, 34 year old Stayton area resident was arrested on charges of Rape I. Mr. Harris was known to the victim prior to the assault. Harris was taken to the Marion County Jail where he is now held without bail allowed. Mr. Harris had been free without posting bail while awaiting a plea hearing for his original Burglary charge.

Jeremy Daniel Harris
10/24/2012

Suspects Tied To Local Burglary Ring Have Court Appearances

Stayton, OR. Nov 21, 2012 - Two people connected to a suspected local burglary ring have had initial court appearances.

Patricia Harris, mother of burglary suspect Jeremy Harris and owner of the Stayton area property raided by Marion County Sheriff's on September 11, appeared at a Marion County court plea hearing on October 31. She pleaded not guilty to a charge of Tampering with Physical Evidence. A jury trial date of February 20, 2013 has been set.

Jeremy Harris, facing Burglary 2 and Unauthorized Use of Vehicle charges in the original burglary case and also arrested again October 24 on separate Rape 1 and Sexual Abuse 2 charges, appeared at plea hearings for both cases on November 21. At the request of defense attorney and agreement of the special prosecutor assigned to the case, his plea hearings were rescheduled to December 12 to allow more time to work on the cases. Mr. Harris currently remains held in the Marion County jail with bail set at $280,000.

No additional charges have as yet been filed against Mr. Harris as a result of the raid of his residence and the discovery of stolen property, including additional vehicles.

Stayton, OR. Dec 20, 2012 - The jury trial for Patricia Harris has been rescheduled to April 18th, 2013. The next court appearance for Jeremy Harris is scheduled for January 9, 2013 for plea hearings in both cases.

Stayton, OR. Jan 9, 2013 - Jeremy Harris appeared in Marion County court on January 9th for plea hearings on charges against him in both his Burglary and Rape cases. Pleas of not guilty were entered by his attorney. Jury trial on the Rape I and Sex Abuse II charges is scheduled to begin March 14, 2013.  Mr. Harris currently remains at Marion County Correctional Facility with bail set at $280,000.

The jury trial for his mother, Patricia Harris, on a tampering with evidence charge related to the Burglary case, is currently scheduled for April 18th, 2013. 

Stayton Area Resident Sentenced On Sex Abuse, Burglary and Unauthorized Use Charges

Stayton, OR. March 14, 2013 - Stayton area resident Jeremy Harris was set to appear at trial today before Judge Vance Day in Marion County court on charges of Rape I, Sex Abuse II, Burglary II and two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle. Prior to trial the Marion County District Attorneys office and Defense Attorneys reached a stipulated agreement. As a result of the agreement the Rape I charge was removed and Harris changed his plea to guilty on the remaining charges. Judge Day also imposed the sentencing recommendations of the agreement. Harris was sentenced to a total of 48 months in prison, 30 months on the Sex Abuse charge and six months each for the remaining three charges, all to serve consecutively. The agreement also calls for 24 months post prison supervision.

No additional charges have been filed against Harris as a result of the raid of his residence September 12, 2012 and the discovery of more stolen property, including additional stolen vehicles.

Harris has an extensive criminal record that includes previous convictions for: Menacing, Coercion, Harassment, Assault IV, Contributing to Sexual Delinquency of a Minor and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Patricia Harris, mother of Jeremy Harris, is still scheduled for trial on April 18th for a related Tampering With Evidence charge.

Stayton, OR. April 18, 2013 - Patricia Harris, mother of Jeremy Harris and owner of the property raided in her sons burglary investigation, appeared before Marion County Circuit Court Judge Albin Norblad today at her originally scheduled trial on a Tampering With Physical Evidence charge. Harris instead changed her plea to no contest which carries the same legal sentencing effect as a conviction. She was sentenced to 20 hours of community service, $200 in fines and placed on six months probation.

Convicted Burglar, Sex Abuser, Indicted On Child Sex Abuse Charges

July 9, 2013 - Stayton area resident Jeremy Daniel Harris was arrested May 22, 2013 on three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree involving a child. Harris was arrested under a secret indictment handed down by a Linn County Grand Jury on May 1, 2013 as he was lodged in Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in North Bend serving his sentence on recent unrelated Sex Abuse II and Burglary convictions.

The charges allege the abuse took place between May 1 and September 1, 2012 in Linn County. Harris was transported from Shutter Creek to the Linn County Jail for his arrest. He is now lodged in the Snake River Correctional Institution. Harris' next court date on the new charges is a pre-trial conference in Linn County on July 31. A trial date has not yet been set.

Update #4: Next Court Date is a Plea/Sentence Hearing in Linn County Circuit Court on January 3, 2014

Update #3: next scheduled court date is a Hearing - Settlement Conference in Linn County Circuit Court on Nov 20, 2013

Update #2: next scheduled court date is a pre-trial conference in Linn County Circuit Court on October 31, 2013.

Update #1: next scheduled court date is a pre-trial conference in Linn County Circuit Court on October 7th, 2013.

Sex Abuse I is a class B Felony and subject to Oregon Measure 11 minimum sentencing guidelines. The minimum Measure 11 sentence for a Sex Abuse I conviction is 6 years, 3 months.

Jeremy Daniel Harris

Linn County Jail 5/22/2013

Jeremy Harris Sentenced To 75 More Months For Sex Abuse I

January 3, 2014 - Stayton area resident Jeremy Daniel Harris appeared before Judge Carol Bispham in Linn County District Court today for a plea/sentencing hearing. Harris was charged with three counts of Sex Abuse in the First Degree, involving a child under the age of seven. The incidents took place on property where Harris resided just outside Stayton. In following with a negotiated deal, Harris plead to one count and the remaining two were dropped. Harris's plea was "no contest". When Judge Bispham asked Harris if he understood a plea of no contest carried the same consequences as Guilty he replied that he did. Judge Bispham then asked Harris if he believed the Prosecution had evidence that may prove him guilty if the charges proceeded to trial and Harris again replied "yes".

Harris was sentenced to 75 months in prison on the single count, the measure 11 mandatory minimum sentence. Harris is currently serving a 48 month sentence (release date 1/3/2016) for previous convictions of (unrelated) Sex Abuse II, Burglary and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle. Judge Bispham allowed only sixty days of the new sentence to run concurrently with his current sentence and ordered the remaining 73 months to be served consecutively (new release date 2/3/2022). Judge Bispham informed Harris he would serve every day of his sentence and not be eligible for early release. The sentence also ordered 10 years of post prison supervision and the minimum mandatory fines.

No additional charges have yet been filed against Harris as a result of the SWAT raid of his residence September 12, 2012 following his original burglary arrest and the discovery of additional stolen property, including stolen vehicles.

December 15, 2014, Stayton OR - Former Stayton area resident Jeremy Daniel Harris, currently serving a 10 year sentence in the Oregon Department of Corrections for multiple convictions including Burglary, Sex Abuse I and Sex Abuse II, is now facing more and similar charges. According to Linn County Jail records, on December 10th, 2014, Harris was transferred to the jail and faces new Linn County charges of Burglary I, Theft I, Burglary II and Sex Abuse I. Because of the nature of the charges, no further information has been released.

Harris has an extensive criminal record including a recent string of crimes and convictions. Read the archived story thread below.

Convicted Stayton Area Resident Facing More and Similar Charges

Update December 17, 2014 - Jeremy Harris was arraigned in Linn County Circuit Court in Albany today on charges of: Burglary in the First Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree, and three counts of Theft in the First Degree. The charges were handed down in a Linn County Grand Jury Secret Indictment alleging the crimes occurred just South of Stayton in 2012, prior to Harris' current incarceration. Harris is currently serving a combined 10 year sentence on multiple previous convictions (Read archived story thread below).

The next court date is a pre-trial conference hearing scheduled for February 4th, 2015.
The next court date is a pre-trial conference hearing scheduled for March 4th, 2015.
The next court date is a pre-trial conference hearing scheduled for April 29th, 2015.
The next court date is a pre-trial conference hearing scheduled for May 27th, 2015.
The next court date is a pre-trial conference hearing scheduled for June 17th, 2015.
The next court date is a plea/sentence hearing scheduled for 9:30am on August 26th, 2015.

Convicted Stayton Area Resident Sentenced Again

September 2, 2015, Stayton OR - Former Stayton area resident Jeremy Daniel Harris, currently serving a 10 year sentence in the Oregon Department of Corrections for multiple previous convictions including Burglary, Sex Abuse I and Sex Abuse II, was sentenced August 26th for more crimes. Harris faced five new felony charges of Burglary in the Second Degree (2 counts) and Theft in the First Degree (3 counts). In a plea deal, Harris plead no contest to 1 Burglary charge and 1 Theft charge and the three remaining charges were dismissed. No contest pleas carry the same weight as guilty pleas and result in a conviction. Harris was sentenced to 15 months in prison for each conviction, but the sentences are to run concurrently. The new sentences are to run consecutively with his current sentence for previous convictions. Harris' release date is now set at February 1, 2023.