Ardeshir Tabrizian
Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered the justice system and public safety for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
Staff shortage delays revival of Marion County’s police crisis response team
Marion County officials had planned for a sheriff’s deputy and behavioral health worker to start responding together to crisis calls by July 1. A worker recruited for the team resigned last month, delaying its operation by several weeks.
Woodburn man charged in May 17 shooting that injured woman in downtown Salem
A confrontation at a downtown Salem bar spilled into State Street traffic, where a passenger fired several shots at another vehicle on May 17, according to Salem police.
Pedestrian seriously injured in NE Salem crash Thursday morning
A 29-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured in a collision around 8:30 a.m. Monday morning at the intersection of Northeast Silverton Road and Northeast Harold Drive.
Salem man sentenced to 20 years for sexually assaulting 2 spa workers
Felix Flores Jr. pleaded guilty on June 1 to raping one woman and attempting to rape another at two Salem spas in July 2024. The victims were employees at the spas.
Updated Salem police policies stricter for car chases, clearer for use of force
The Salem Police Department in May published all of their department policies online for the first time. Updated rules on pursuits and use of force are among the more significant policy changes that affect how officers interact with the public.
Accused Salem cartel kingpin faces new federal drug trafficking charges
A new federal indictment charged Heriberto Salazar Amaya with trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Authorities say he ran a multi-state drug operation with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel from his east Salem house.
Salem man gets 64 years for shootout with police that left friend dead
A Polk County judge found Jose Corral-Zavala guilty of charges including attempted aggravated murder and second-degree manslaughter for starting a gunfight with police, who fatally shot his getaway driver.
Salem man gets 11 years for trying to meet underage girls for sex acts
Gary Ronning, 40, sent sexual messages, photos and videos online to three undercover detectives posing as girls between the ages of 13 and 15. Federal prosecutors said Ronning arranged to meet with the girls but didn’t follow through.
Police affidavit gives chilling accounts of 2 sexual assaults in south Salem business district
Jonathan Muhire, 19, is accused of sexually assaulting two people – a homeless woman and a teenager walking to work – within a 12-hour span in the area of Southeast Commercial Street and Southeast Barnes Avenue. Records showed no previous criminal or juvenile history in Oregon for Muhire.
Salem man, 19, accused of sexually assaulting two people in SE Salem
Jonathan Muhire faces accusations including sexual abuse, kidnapping and strangulation. Police arrested him Friday morning.