Rowan pleads no contest to DUII charge
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
GILLIAM COUNTY – Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan entered a no contest plea Friday on the charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants. Seventh District Circuit Court Judge Karen Ostrye approved Rowan’s request to enter diversion after taking Rowan’s testimony by telephone.
He has agreed to pay a fine of $490. Ostrye also gave him 12 months to complete diversion. We have unofficial reports that Rowan has already begun the agreed upon treatment at an out-of-state facility.
It is the written policy of the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office that, in the absence of the sheriff for whatever reason, the undersheriff takes charge. The policy includes handing that responsibility down to other employees if Undersheriff Jim Littlefield is not available.
A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt. Instead it means the defendant does not admit to facts of the crime, but accepts the consequences of a conviction. It is also referred to as a nolo contendere plea.
A hearing on the second count of the charges against Rowan has also been scheduled. Court records indicate a plea hearing on the charge of reckless driving has been scheduled for Sept. 12 before Judge John A. Olson.
Both charges are Class A misdemeanors. They are the most serious misdemeanors in Oregon. If he fails to comply with the conditions of diversion, penalties could be up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $6,250.
Rowan was arrested by the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office on the night of May 16. As we reported earlier, he was cited and released to a responsible party by that office after a caller complained about erratic driving. He was driving a county vehicle at the time. He failed a field sobriety test and his blood alcohol content was 0.19.
He released a statement regarding the incident on May 18:
“Dear Community,I want to sincerely apologize to the people who elected me and place their trust in my leadership. I take full responsibility for the situation surrounding my recent arrest for DUII and understand the seriousness of the matter. While I will not discuss the details as the legal process unfolds, I am fully cooperating with the authorities and will comply with all applicable laws and guidelines. I’ve been navigating some personal challenges, but I know that does not excuse the impact this has had on my constituents and the community. I am committed to learning from this experience, rebuilding trust, and accepting all responsibility for my poor decision and actions and being fully transparent as the process moves forward. Sincerely,
Sheriff Terry L. Rowan”
