Melendez charges are related to Crandall’s death

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON –Law enforcement officials say that the arrest of Kevin Melendez, 26, a Hermiston area transient, is related to the shooting death of Jordan Crandall in March 2020. He is not charged with killing Crandall.

One of the charges against him is abuse of a corpse. Crandall’s body was found in Umatilla County near Punkin Center Road and the sheriff’s office began the investigation. It was later learned that the victim was actually shot in Hermiston and his body was dumped in the county.

Both the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and the Hermiston Police Department investigated the incident. Hermiston police arrested Melendez Friday. Charges against him also include first-degree and second-degree robbery, attempted unlawful use of a weapon, and felony conspiracy.

He was arraigned in Sixth Circuit Court before Judge Dan Hill Monday afternoon and his bail is now set at $525,000. Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus said he is not at liberty to give more details about the case against Melendez at this time.