SALEM, Ore. — The Marion County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that prosecutors secured convictions in several unrelated criminal cases this week, highlighting what officials described as the office’s ongoing efforts to hold offenders accountable and protect public safety.
One of the most serious cases involved Nicholas Ransom, who was convicted by a Marion County jury in case 25CR35970 on multiple charges, including first-degree burglary constituting domestic violence with a firearm, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, fourth-degree assault constituting domestic violence, felon in possession of a firearm, fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving, and attempted second-degree animal abuse.
The convictions stem from a June 29, 2025, domestic violence incident at a Salem residence involving Ransom and his former girlfriend, Michelle Perez. According to prosecutors, Perez told deputies that Ransom entered her home without permission, yelled at her and another man, James Esplin, displayed a firearm, assaulted her, threatened to kill both victims, and kicked her dog before fleeing the scene.
Deputies later pursued Ransom at speeds exceeding 100 mph before arresting him on Howell Prairie Road. Authorities recovered a .40-caliber pistol during the arrest. Prosecutors said Ransom was already a convicted felon on post-prison supervision for homicide and had a previous assault conviction involving Perez. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2026.
In another case, identified as 25CR30879, a Marion County jury found Kenneth Raymond guilty of fourth-degree assault following a one-day trial.
The charge stemmed from an April 15, 2025, altercation at the Safeway store on Lancaster Drive Northeast in Salem. Deputies responded after Raymond allegedly punched Jason Burns in the face about four times. Investigators said the two men knew each other from high school and the dispute began over a pool stick.
According to court records, Raymond admitted to a responding deputy that he attempted to “knock out” Burns but missed his final punch. Marion County Circuit Court Judge Manuel Perez sentenced Raymond to 18 months of bench probation.
In a third case, 13C42284, Paul Rodriguez-Garcia was found guilty by a Marion County jury of felony driving under the influence of intoxicants. He also pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license and giving false information to a police officer.
The charges originated from a March 2013 traffic stop in which an officer observed Rodriguez-Garcia swerving and driving into a bike lane. Prosecutors said the officer noticed bloodshot and glassy eyes and smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle. Rodriguez-Garcia was unable to provide a driver’s license or vehicle registration and initially gave officers a false name and date of birth.
Authorities reported multiple signs of impairment, and Rodriguez-Garcia refused to take a breathalyzer test. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2026.
“Every day, I’m proud of the work our attorneys and legal staff do for this community,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy said in a statement. “It’s an overwhelming volume, tireless, and vital to public safety in our community.”
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office said it reviews more than 10,000 cases annually and employs approximately 32 attorneys.
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