5 county deputies are sworn in by U.S. Marshals Service
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 29th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – (News release from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office) Within the last year, five Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office deputies have become sworn Task Force Officers (TFO) for the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) of Oregon. Being sworn as an TFO requires specific training and criteria. Working with this team has reaped huge benefits. Criminals do not stay within a single law enforcement jurisdiction, but are often tied to other areas. Within the last year, you may have noticed press releases involving arrests in Umatilla County has listed the U.S. Marshals as participants. These arrests demonstrate the huge benefit of having a great working relationship with this agency and others. Our deputies have received excellent training and gained exceptional experience. They have participated in operations outside of Umatilla County that have had a direct impact inside of Umatilla County. Our participation has also brought additional law enforcement resources into Umatilla County to assist in apprehension of some of our most challenging and dangerous criminals.
Below is an example:
On July 17th, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) of Oregon, with the assistance of the District of Eastern Washington, executed an arrest warrant for Daniel Lee STRAIN at 212 S Water St, Weston, OR 97886. The PNVOTF surrounded the property at approximately 2:20 pm. The entry team approached the West side of the property and cleared a Cougar fifth-wheel trailer.
Deputies holding security on the property’s main structure contacted Demi Rose KVETON as she exited the home. Demi KVETON was detained and asked if Daniel Lee STRAIN was inside, and she stated that she had not seen him in two days. Deputies continued to clear the shop and the garage and then made their way to the main structure.
During a clearing of the main structure, Daniel STRAIN was located in the attic hiding under insulation and was directed by the team to come to them at the attic access. STRAIN complied. He was assisted down and taken into custody at approximately 3:46 pm. Demi KVETON was also arrested for hindering prosecution. Both STRAIN and KVETON were transported to the Umatilla County Jail, where they were lodged.
Prior to arrival at the residence, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the property on independent probable cause. After STRAIN and KVETON were taken into custody, the warrant was served resulting in the recovery of a Glock 17 handgun, Highpoint auto rifle, 9mm magazine and ammunition, 10mm magazine and ammunition, and a shotgun. Additionally, approximately $30,000 of stolen property was recovered from recent burglaries in Umatilla County. Daniel Lee STRAIN remains in custody in the Umatilla County Jail.
Law enforcement present during the time of arrest were the USMS Fugitive Task Force, the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Walla Walla Regional Gang and Drug Task Force.
Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive apprehension efforts are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries. The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics and fugitive task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations, while locating and arresting violent fugitives and criminal. This is accomplished while using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach.
The task force is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police and covers the Districts of Alaska, Oregon, Eastern Washington, and Western Washington.
Anyone with information on wanted fugitives is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
