Alleged felon from Irrigon fails to appear in court
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
HEPPNER – Jacob Alfredo Peralta, 19, of Irrigon would not respond to jailers today and therefore failed to appear at his arraignment in Morrow County Circuit Court for multiple felonies, including two counts of first-degree kidnapping. District Attorney Justin Nelson says Peralta is being held without bail and his arraignment has been rescheduled for today (Thursday) at 2 p.m.
In an incident that began in Umatilla late Tuesday night and ended in Irrigon early Wednesday morning, it is alleged Peralta held two women at gunpoint, fired a shot at their vehicle, and forced them to drive him to the Irrigon home of one of the two victims. Peralta was known to both victims.
The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for help at the residence on Columbia Lane. Upon arrival, officers learned that the two victims and the owner of the home were all outside. Peralta remained inside the house.
The sheriff’s deputy and a Boardman police officer secured the perimeter and began communications with the suspect. Police report he threatened to shoot himself or the police if they came near. Eventually Peralta agreed to come out and was taken into custody. He was evaluated at Good Shepherd Medical Center for previous unrelated injuries prior to being jailed. Court records also indicate while he confessed to being in possession of a firearm, he did not confess to any other allegations.
In addition to the kidnapping charges, Peralta is also charged with two counts of felony menacing, one count of first-degree burglary, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, being a felon in possession of a weapon, two counts of coercion, and first-degree robbery.
