New gun charge for Aumsville man
An Aumsville man accused of physically abusing two young boys is facing a new weapon charge after allegedly firing a gun within the city limits.
Benjamin William Zigler, 31, was charged Dec. 14, 2025, in Marion County Circuit Court with unlawful use of a weapon and recklessly endangering another person for an incident the day before.
According to court records, Zigler “intentionally discharge[d] a firearm within city limits” at or near a residence on the 900 block of Beaver Creek Rd. No injuries were reported, however the alleged conduct “created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another,” according to court records.
Zigler was booked and released from the Marion County Jail with orders to have no contact with the residence in question or its occupants pending the outcome of the case.
In a separate case filed in May of 2024, Zigler is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment for allegedly causing physical injury to two boys in his care ages 10 and 11. According to court records, Zigler allegedly struck the victims’ heads together hard enough to cause pain and injury, resulting in the children being admitted to urgent care.
Zigler is scheduled to stand trial June 15 and faces up to five years in prison on each count.
New charges for Lyons burglary
An Aumsville man arrested last year for allegedly assaulting a police officer is facing new charges for allegedly stealing a gun safe during a burglary in Lyons.
Casey Eugene Trussell, 40, was charged Jan. 2 in Linn County Circuit Court for allegedly stealing a safe and firearms valued at more than $10,000 from a property on the 200 block of 25th St.
He is charged with second-degree burglary and aggravated first-degree theft and faces up to 10 years in prison on his highest count.
This comes as Trussell is awaiting trial on several charges for allegedly assaulting a Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputy March 2, 2025. Authorities had been dispatched to a disturbance on the 46400 block of Lyons-Mill City Dr. and Trussell allegedly injured the deputy while resisting arrest.
He is charged with assaulting a public safety officer, first-degree criminal mischief, resisting arrest, second-degree disorderly conduct and second-degree criminal trespass. He faces up to five years in prison on his highest count.
Trussell also has a pending case for alleged hit-and-run and trespassing for an incident Aug. 8, 2024, when he allegedly damaged a Scio man’s property with his vehicle and fled the scene.
School district checks forged
A Stayton woman with a history of property crimes is facing new charges for allegedly forging stolen checks belonging to the Salem-Keizer School District.
Ashley May Blythe, 27, was charged Jan. 6 in Marion County Circuit Court for offenses allegedly occurring in January of last year.
According to charging documents, Blythe forged and deposited two checks belonging to the district Jan. 29, 2025, both in amounts greater than $1,000. Court records did not indicate how Blythe allegedly acquired the checks.
She was charged with two counts each of first-degree theft and first-degree forgery, and faces up to five years in prison on each count. She was released on her own recognizance from the Marion County Jail Jan. 7 with orders to have no contact with the district.
Blythe has three additional open cases filed last year including in Polk County for allegedly purchasing a stolen vehicle, and in Marion County for alleged residential burglary and alleged mail theft. She also has a misdemeanor conviction from April of 2025 for harassment related to offensive physical contact against two men while Blythe allegedly shoplifted from Winco.
Drug, weapon charges for Stayton man
A Stayton man is facing felony charges after allegedly being caught with a large quantity of methamphetamine.
Juan Tenorio Jr., 41, was charged Dec. 23, 2025, in Marion County Circuit Court with delivery of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, he was arrested the day before in possession of more than 500 grams of meth. He was also allegedly in possession of a firearm, which he was not allowed to possess due to a 2017 conviction for delivery of methamphetamine.
If convicted, Tenorio faces up to 10 years in prison on his highest count. As of press time he remained held in the Marion County Jail on $100,000 bail.
Warrant issued in burglary case
A Stayton man is wanted on a felony warrant after failing to appear in court on charges related to a recent residential burglary.
Andrew Paul Yost, 54, was due in Linn County Circuit Court Jan. 20 on charges related to a burglary allegedly occurring Jan. 3 on the 43800 block of Hwy. 226, west of Lyons. According to charging documents, Yost allegedly stole more than $1,000 worth of belongings and caused more than $1,000 in property damage.
Yost failed to appear Jan. 20 for a status check hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest by Judge Rachel Kittson. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of $1,000 paid on Jan. 9 to bail Yost out of the Linn County Jail.
Yost is charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and first-degree criminal mischief. If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison on his highest count.
Probation for DUII pursuit
A Lyons man has been sentenced to two years of probation including substance abuse treatment after pleading guilty to several charges related to fleeing police during a DUII stop.
Jaymen Ray Williams, 20, pleaded guilty Jan. 9 in Marion County Circuit Court to attempt to elude a police officer, giving false information to a police officer, DUII, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving for an incident Dec. 26, 2025.
According to court records, police attempted to pull over Williams when he fled in a reckless manner. When apprehended Williams gave police a false name due to an outstanding warrant in a separate case for selling methamphetamine on Aug. 11, 2025.
He pleaded guilty in this other case Jan. 9 to delivery of methamphetamine, which was included in his probation sentence.
In addition to probation, Williams received a week in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a one-year driver’s license suspension. He must also complete substance abuse treatment and may not possess intoxicants or frequent places where they are consumed while on probation.
7 years for drugs, vandalism
A Stayton man has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison following a plea agreement in multiple cases related to drug sales and vandalism.
Tony Delose Adams Jr., 57, was sentenced Dec. 29, 2025, in Marion County Circuit Court to six years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty in four separate cases. Charges included:
– Possession of methamphetamine dating from Oct. 17, 2024.
– Unlawful delivery of methamphetamine for selling more than 100 grams of meth on Feb. 19, 2025.
– Possession of cocaine dating from April 8, 2025.
– Two counts of first-degree criminal mischief for causing more than $3,000 in damage by breaking the windows of a Les Schwab and a Unitus Credit Union on Dec. 10, 2025.
Adams still has three cases open in Benton County for allegedly driving while suspended, giving false information to police and allegedly stealing a bicycle, all originating from last year.
