DUI stop nabs Hermiston man on multiple charges
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – Oregon State Police responded to a call about a possible intoxicated driver of a vehicle in a ditch at milepost 1 on Highway 395 Sunday. It turns out that Inocente Acosta, 47, of Hermiston was wanted for more than driving under the influence.
Acosta partially consented to field sobriety tests and then refused. OSP reports he was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants and a search of his vehicle turned up a concealed firearm, ammunition, and alcohol.
He refused a breath test at the Umatilla Police Department. A search warrant for the suspect’s blood was granted. His vehicle was also impounded. Investigators determined that Acosta Mendoza’s USA permanent residence card and social security card were both forged documents.
When the suspect’s fingerprints were taken at Umatilla County Jail, it was discovered the suspect had a nationwide extraditable warrant out of Arizona for burglary and sexual contact with a minor and had been on the run for over 20 years, OSP reported.
In addition to being a fugitive, Acosta faces charges of felony identity theft, being a criminal in possession of a forged instrument in the first degree, third-degree criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a firearm, and driving under the influence.
