Media Board

Recent media releases from the Benton County Sheriff's Office are listed below. To read past media releases, go to the "Supporting Documents" section of this web page.

Fatal Crash on Alpine Road

On 9/18/19 around 5:45 PM, deputies with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash on Alpine Road, near McFarland Road in Benton County.

A white 1992 Honda Civic was traveling east on Alpine Road. For an unknown reason the Honda left the roadway, rolling several times and landing on the side of Alpine Road.

A preliminary investigation indicated that Ernest Robert Hernandez, born in 1987, was the driver. Mr. Hernandez died as a result of the crash.

The last known address of Mr. Hernandez was in Albany, Oregon but may have lived recently in Alpine.

A passenger, Adrian Gabriel Molina, also born in 1987 and from Eugene, Oregon, survived the crash. No medical update is available for Mr. Molina but his injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

The accident is still under investigation. Alcohol, marijuana and speed may have contributed to the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. David Iverson of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 541.766.6858.

Marys Peak Cleanup Event

It's time once again for the annual on Saturday, September 21st, 2019
Hosted by: Benton County Sheriff's Office, BLM, USFS andTrash No Land.
Location: On Mary's Peak Road at the rock quarry at mile post four.
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/HUDUY5vFY4gwG4q77
GPS: 44°28'47.3"N 123°32'21.1"W

Volunteers welcomed, needed and treated like rock stars with coffee and treats in the morning, a BBQ lunch and free raffle prizes in the afternoon! Come out and spend some time helping to cleanup the Mary's Peak rock quarry where people have been target shooting for years. Help us improve the quality of recreation at Mary's Peak!

Details: 8:30 AM Sign-in, coffee, donuts & snacks. 9 AM Safety briefing and discussion about current recreation activities, fire prevention measures and safety in recreation. 1 PM a free BBQ lunch and lots of raffle prizes to win!

Bring: A potluck salad or side dish, outdoor clothing, boots, gloves, rakes, magnet & manual pickers and A Stewards Heart!

After the event, enjoy recreation as you wish in the beautiful Mary's Peak area!

All are welcome! Recommend children be of age 12 or older and with adult supervision, as there may be hazardous materials and sharp objects.

Firearm Policy: Handling or use of a firearm during event hours is not allowed at our events and is not an official part of our events. You may recreate as you wish after the event concludes.

Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/442973966291633/

DUII & Seatbelt Saturation Patrol

Results from DUII saturation patrol (August 16 – September 2, 2019)
Results from Seatbelt saturation patrol (August 19 – September 1, 2019)

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office participated in extra seat belt saturation patrol between August 19 through September 1, 2019. BCSO also participated in extra DUII saturation patrol August 16 through September 2, 2019 to coincide with the end of summer and Labor Day Weekend. During that date range there were four drivers arrested for DUII by the Sheriff’s Office, and one Drug Recognition Expert Evaluation completed. During that time frame drivers were also stopped for multiple traffic violations. BCSO issued a total of 148 traffic citations during that time with 90 for speeding, 17 for driving while suspended, 3 for speaking on their cell phone, 2 for failing to use Interlocking Device Systems, 1 for failing to wear their safety belt, and issued multiple warnings. BCSO investigated 10 traffic crashes with 3 of them involving injuries.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting other traffic blitzes throughout the end of the year surrounding holiday weekends, and events where there is more traffic on our roadways. We will continue to look for and arrest impaired drivers, people using their cell phones while driving, speeding, not wearing their safety belts, and other unsafe driving behaviors.

Retirement celebration for Stacy Mellem & Diana Rabago

On August 1, 2019, we celebrated the retirements of two Benton County Sheriff’s employees, Stacy Mellem and Diana Rabago. At the gathering, they were recognized by Undersheriff Rider and presented with a certificate of appreciation by the Board of Commissioners.

Stacy spent 12 years as our Policy/Accreditation Specialist. Stacy quickly achieved accreditation status for BCSO by re-writing and updating all policies and procedures. She then found herself coordinating and facilitating the annual Citizens’ Academy and Drug Take-Back Event, creating comprehensive community outreach materials, and maintaining the BCSO website. On her own time, Stacy was, and continues to be, active in our community by volunteering with Leadership Corvallis, the Sheriff’s Foundation, BCSO Chili Cook-Off, Oregon Special Olympics, CARDV, Imagine Corvallis 2040 Steering Committee, and her neighborhood association.

Our Jail Commander, Diana, retired after 25 years of service. Diana held the positions of Deputy, Program Coordinator, Field Training Deputy, Corporal, Sergeant, Transport Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. Diana created and implemented an evaluation system for On-Call Jail Deputies, was a certified Jail Inspector for 6 years, was the Vice President of the Oregon Sheriff’s Jail Command Council position in 2013, received an award for Employee of the Year in 2008, and received a Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

We wish the women a relaxing retirement filled with happiness. Thank you for your service to Benton County!

Community Notification

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is notifying the public that a Level 3 sex offender has been released into the community.

Micah Delbozque, age 29, was released from the Department of Corrections on July 2, 2019. He is on Post-Prison Supervision until 2024 for Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Rape in the Third Degree (x4), and Attempted Rape in the Second Degree.

Delbozque is a white male, 6’2” tall, 270 pounds in weight, has brown hair and blue eyes.

He will be living at 3910 SW Neer Avenue in Corvallis. He is to have no contact with minors and is not to frequent places where minors congregate such as playgrounds, schools, arcades, libraries, churches, or community pools.

Special conditions for Delbozque’s release also include: no access to a computer or computer-related devices or to the internet and no direct or indirect contact with his victim.

To report any misconduct or violation, please notify Benton County Sheriff’s Office Parole & Probation Deputy, Shawna Johnson at 541-6228 or shawna.johnson@co.benton.or.us. For an emergency, please call 911.