Lopez gets more than probation from Brauer

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – Umatilla County District Attorney Dan Primus says he’s pleased with Judge Christopher Brauer’s ruling from his courtroom in Pendleton in the case against Jonathan Lopez of Hermiston. The former candidate for Umatilla County commissioner reported he received a racist letter during the campaign.

An investigation by the Hermiston Police Department ended with Lopez confessing he sent the letter to himself. He was charged with and pled guilty to initiating a false report. Brauer sentenced him to probation and two days in jail, but then he went over and above that when setting conditions for the probation.

“He’s got to write a letter of apology to the community and he has to complete a racial bias program,” Primus said. “Judge Brauer emphasized the significance of this incident on the community.”

Primus said the sentence for Lopez is the result of hard work by the police department.

“The city of Hermiston worked diligently in handling this investigation,” Primus said. “I’m grateful for that.”