Baker City Women Sentenced for Attempted Kidnapping

By Garrett Christensen on Monday, May 22nd, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER CITY – (Release from the Baker County District Attorney) On May 19, 2023, Heather Winston, 31, of Baker City, was sentenced to the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections for a period of 110 months. Ms. Winston plead guilty to two counts of Attempted Kidnapping in the First Degree. The sentence was pronounced by Judge Matthew B. Shirtcliff.

Baker County District Attorney Greg M. Baxter explained to the court that in October 2022, Ms. Winston had gone to Umatilla County to buy Fentanyl pills, with several other individuals. While returning to Baker County, Ms. Winston was arrested on unrelated charges in Union County. During the arrest, the pills disappeared.

Upon her release from Union County, Ms. Winston gathered several co-defendants to help her track down the individuals whom she suspected took the pills. On the evening of October 25, 2022, Ms. Winston and the co-defendants took the individuals whom she suspected took her pills and brought them to a house in Baker City where they were assaulted.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Shirtcliff encouraged Ms. Winston to engage with any treatment that may be offered in prison. He stressed that the people of Baker City are not safe when she is using.

The Baker City Police Department handled the investigation.