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.
Beaverton man dies in Marion County Jail
Jose Soto-Araujo, 54, was found unresponsive in a Marion County Jail cell Thursday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office. It's the second reported jail death this year.
Salem Juneteenth block party celebrates ‘a moment of Black joy’
A crowd gathered Thursday afternoon on Southeast Cottage Street in song, dance and prayer to celebrate Juneteenth, honoring the day enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas, were freed in 1865.
Shooting at West Salem apartment leaves 1 injured, suspect arrested
A disturbance among a group of teenagers on Northwest Orchard Heights Road erupted into gunfire Wednesday evening, according to Salem police. The agency said a victim was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Salem police searching for suspect in two sexual assaults in SE Salem
Salem police are asking for the public’s help in finding a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman and a teenager on separate occasions in the last two days. Both attacks occurred in the area of Southeast Commercial Street and Southeast Barnes Avenue.
Mystery surrounds accused drug kingpin’s ties to Salem
A historic multi-state police operation put Salem in the national spotlight after federal authorities said a kingpin with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel had been living in the city. But a Salem Reporter investigation couldn’t establish what brought him to the community three months before his arrest.
Marion County, Oregon DOJ to review management at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility
Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson has convened a grand jury after receiving over 100 investigations into potential criminal conduct at the state’s largest juvenile facility, located in Woodburn.
Salem woman sentenced to 5 years for fatal abuse of 6-year-old stepson
Over two years after the death of 6-year-old Titus Davenport, his stepmother said she was ill-equipped to care for a child with special needs. But a veteran Marion County prosecutor said Titus’ death was perhaps the worst child abuse case he had seen.
Judge pauses UGM stabbing case while Bend man’s mental state is evaluated
A judge ordered on Tuesday that Tony Williams remain in the Marion County Jail while a mental health expert evaluates whether he is able to face criminal charges over the June 1 mass stabbing at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem.
CLASS OF 2025: After overcoming school struggles, McNary grad has sights on selling houses
Jules Eslava recently earned the Turnaround Achievement Award for students who beat the odds. Now preparing to start college, he wants other students to know that it’s never too late to change for the better.
Mental care, crime and knives mark Bend man’s time before Salem
Court records show Oregon dealt with Tony Willams in both its criminal justice and mental health systems for over 20 years before he was kicked off a bus in Salem and subsequently stabbed 12 people at the Union Gospel Mission downtown.