Man arrested on multiple charges, suffered apparent mental health crisis

By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UMATILLA COUNTY – A Umatilla County Sheriff’s deputy arrested a man at an elk camp on the 030 spur of Forest Service Road 5309 on Sunday. It was reported to 911 that Michael Poledna, 20, had suffered a mental health crisis at the camp.

Two of the hunters were injured and two of the vehicles were damaged during the event. None of the injuries were life threatening and the vehicular damage was more than $1,000 in each instance. The hunters said they were afraid for their lives.

The responding officer said the ride back to the Umatilla County Jail saw Poledna’s moods swing from hyperventilation to calm but angry. He also is reported to have kicked the cage and head-butted the plexiglass in the vehicle. The deputy said he did not suffer any visible injuries from his actions on the ride to jail.Felony charges against Poledna include two counts of third-degree aggravated assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief (vandalism). He is also charged with two counts of reckless endangering and two counts of menacing.