Investigation underway regarding “fake keys” case
By Logan Bagett on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
PRAIRIE CITY – Grant County District Attorney Jim Carpenter has issued a press release regarding an open investigation between certain staff members at Prairie City Schools. Find the release below:
(Press release in full issued by Grant County District Attorney Jim Carpenter)
In the days and weeks preceding Oct. 16, 2022, Caroline and William “Billy” Colson were repeatedly contacted by persons who had found keys with labels purporting to be the Colson’s or to be keys to the Colson’s residence. The Grant County Dispatch Center (911) also received a number of calls from finders of the fake keys. None of the keys found actually belonged to the Colson’s or fitted the locks to their home.
Caroline Colson is the art and home ec teacher at Prairie City School District. Billy Colson is the athletic director and math teacher at Prairie City School District. Caroline Colson reported the matter to local authorities, but primarily investigated the matter on her own and determined through video footage from a local retail establishment that the fake keys were being left along the roadside, in parking lots, and in stores by Meghan Tremblay, a 3rd grade teacher at Prairie City School District.
Colson has provided her investigation materials to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. Once an investigation is complete, Jim Carpenter, Grant County District Attorney, will consider whether Tremblay’s conduct is criminal, and if so, file appropriate charges.
Per Carpenter, “I am willing to consider any reasonable explanation for this type of conduct. Whether this rises to criminal conduct or not, based on the information before me at this time, this is inexplicably egregious and in poor taste.”
