Ashland Police Make Arrests in Bias Crime at Jewish Center

On December 14, 2023, the Ashland Police Department responded to a report of vandalism at the Chabad Jewish Center. Video evidence led to the identification and charging of two individuals, Zachary Demarest and Jacob Wilhelm, both students at Southern Oregon University, in connection with the incident.

Right Now Oregon January 22, 2024 2 minutes read

1/22/2024

On December 14, 2023 members of the Ashland Police Department responded to the Chabad Jewish Center for a report of vandalism. Video evidence recovered from the scene and surrounding businesses showed three people approach the Chabad Jewish Center, one of them throwing eggs at the center while yelling “Heil Hitler.”

APD posted video evidence of the incident on social media and the suspects were identified almost immediately.

The primary suspect was identified as Zachary Demarest, 18, of Corvallis Oregon. Another suspect was identified as Jacob Wilhelm, 18, of Blackfoot Idaho. The third person in the video was identified, but is not implicated in the commission of a crime, and is therefore not being named.

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All three people were, at the time of the incident, students at Southern Oregon University. As such they left the area for winter break shortly after this incident was reported. The two students charged are no longer enrolled at SOU.

APD detectives continued this investigation when the new term started, and students returned to campus.

Demarest, who video showed as being the person throwing the eggs and yelling “Heil Hitler,” was contacted and told to turn himself in to the Ashland Police Department. Demarest did so on January 19, 2024, and was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on charges of Criminal Mischief 3^rd Degree (Class C Misdemeanor) and Bias Crime 2^nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).

Also on January 19, 2024 Wilhelm was contacted and charged with Bias Crime 2^nd Degree and Criminal Mischief 3^rd Degree via a misdemeanor criminal citation, with a court date of February 7, 2024. Wilhelm’s involvement in this incident consisted of him encouraging Demarest’s criminal behavior, which makes him responsible as a co-conspirator.

The Ashland Police Department appreciates the cooperation and assistance of Southern Oregon University in investigating this case.

The Ashland Police Department will investigate all complaints of bias crime and work with the Jackson County District Attorney’s office to prosecute to the fullest extent possible given the evidence presented.