Transient faces new set of arson charges for fire near police station
A local transient who caused fire damage at the Stayton Community Center in 2023 is facing new charges after allegedly starting a fire near the Stayton Police Department.
Kenneth Richard Palmer, 36, was arrested Feb. 26 for an incident that day outside the department building at 386 N Third Ave., Stayton.
According to Police Chief Gwen Johns, an officer left the station and saw a fire outside the building on the sidewalk with Palmer allegedly standing nearby. The fire had been started with a molotov cocktail and caused damage to the sidewalk and smoke damage to the building.
Palmer was taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail, said Johns.
He was indicted March 5 in Marion County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree arson (two counts) and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device. If convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison on the highest count.
As of press time, Palmer remained in jail on $100,000 bail.
A jury convicted Palmer March 3, 2024, of first-degree arson for a fire started at the Community Center on March 13, 2023, that caused $16,800 in damage. He was sentenced to a year in prison and two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
Kidnapping, assault charges filed
A Sublimity man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly kidnapping and injuring a woman during a domestic assault.
Aaron Justin Rauch, 26, was arrested March 16 by the Salem Police Department for an incident March 14, according to charging documents filed in Marion County Circuit Court.
Rauch allegedly used a replica firearm to kidnap the victim and take her to a location for the purpose of “causing physical injury to” and “terrorizing” the victim, according to court records. Rauch then allegedly injured the woman with the fake gun and attempted to strangle her, then prevented her from calling 911.
He is charged with first-degree kidnapping (two counts), second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, attempted strangulation, unlawful use of a weapon and interference with making a report. If convicted he faces at least 90 months in prison.
As of press time, Rauch remained in the Marion County Jail on $110,000 bail for this case and unrelated charges from January of giving false information to police.
Knife attack leads to incarceration
An Aumsville man is facing multiple charges after allegedly attacking a woman with a knife during a domestic assault.
Daniel John Nelson, 33, was arrested Feb. 14 for a series of incidents allegedly occurring Feb. 4, according to an indictment filed Feb. 20 in Marion County Circuit Court.
Nelson allegedly attacked the victim with a knife twice and strangled her three times, causing physical injuries.
Nelson has been charged with second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon (two counts) and strangulation (three counts). If convicted, he faces at least 70 months in prison.
As of press time, Nelson remained held in the Marion County Jail on $70,000 bail on these charges, and on a no-bail warrant for a probation violation for an incident involving the same victim.
Nelson pleaded guilty Dec. 19, 2024, to reckless endangering for behavior that threatened the safety of the victim in February 2024. He was sentenced to a year of probation including substance abuse treatment. The new arrest could result in revocation of that sentence.
Probation for carjacking
A Sublimity woman has been sentenced to probation and behavioral health treatment after pleading guilty to a carjacking and police pursuit in Stayton in 2023.
Shardell Fayette Bodda, 46, pleaded guilty Feb. 24 in Marion County Circuit Court to third-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude a police officer.
She was sentenced March 13 to two years of probation with a requirement to undergo treatment for substance abuse and mental health.
Bodda was arrested Feb. 1, 2023, after an incident that evening in the parking lot of Grocery Outlet on W. Ida St. She asked a woman for a ride and, when the woman refused, Bodda allegedly forced the victim out of the vehicle and drove away.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle in Jefferson and gave chase, eventually spiking the tires and bringing the pursuit to a halt along Enchanted Way near I-5.
According to court records, Bodda has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had a mental health crisis that day after stopping her medication and abusing alcohol and methamphetamine.
Man arrested for fatal wreck
A Salem man has been charged with manslaughter following a collision outside Stayton that killed a teenage passenger in his vehicle and seriously injured three other juveniles.
Christopher Jordan Atkinson, 33, was arrested following a single-vehicle collision the evening of March 23 on the 17000 block of Fern Ridge Road, east of Stayton.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said first responders were called to the scene around 9:50 p.m. and “found a single-vehicle crash with extensive damage.” A 16-year-old passenger was declared deceased at the scene. Three other passengers ages 16, 14 and 12 were transported with serious injuries to area hospitals.
The deceased was identified as Zolayha Johnson in charging documents filed March 24 in Marion County Circuit Court. Court records also said Atkinson had allegedly provided all four minors in the vehicle with alcohol.
Atkinson was charged with second-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault (two counts), reckless driving and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 (four counts). If convicted, he faces 75 months in prison. He was originally arrested by deputies for DUII as well, however prosecutors did not include this among charges filed.
As of press time, Atkinson was held without bail in the Marion County Jail. Arraignment is set for April 2.
