SALEM, Ore. — A Marion County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a jury convicted him of multiple felony charges stemming from an armed domestic violence incident and a high-speed police pursuit in Salem last year.
On Thursday, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Amy Queen sentenced 45-year-old Nicholas A. Ransom to 20 years in the Oregon Department of Corrections, followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision. A Marion County jury found Ransom guilty on May 15, 2026, of numerous offenses, including first-degree burglary constituting domestic violence with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, fourth-degree assault constituting domestic violence, felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of attempting to elude a police officer, and two counts of reckless driving.
The charges stem from an incident on June 29, 2025, when deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic violence disturbance at a home in the 6200 block of Silverton Road NE. While deputies were en route, dispatch advised that Ransom had already fled the scene.
Investigators said deputies contacted the victim, identified as M.P., who told them Ransom, her former boyfriend, entered the home while she and a friend were inside. According to prosecutors, Ransom began yelling, brandished a handgun, and pushed the victim into a chair, striking her in the head and face hard enough to knock her glasses to the floor.
Authorities said Ransom then removed the magazine from the firearm, emptied the chamber, and dropped several shell casings before pointing the gun directly at the victim’s face and pulling the trigger while threatening to kill her. Prosecutors said the firearm did not discharge. Ransom then allegedly turned the weapon toward the victim’s boyfriend, threatening to kill both of them and bury them in the backyard before collecting the shell casings and leaving the residence.
Deputies later located Ransom, who allegedly led law enforcement on a pursuit through north Salem. During the chase, speeds exceeded 100 mph, according to investigators. The pursuit ended on Howell Prairie Road, where Ransom pulled into a driveway and surrendered without further incident. Deputies recovered a .40-caliber pistol on the ground next to the vehicle.
Prosecutors noted that Ransom was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was a convicted felon and was serving post-prison supervision at the time of the offense. His supervision stemmed from previous convictions for manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm in Polk County. Court records also show he had a prior assault conviction involving the same victim.
“Today’s sentencing is about accountability,” said District Attorney-elect Brendan Murphy in a statement. “No more chances. Committing this crime while on supervision for homicide shows how dangerous Ransom is. Domestic violence is serious, and we’re glad that the court agreed and imposed a serious consequence for this terrible assault. Our thoughts are with the victim, and we hope this sentence provides her with some sense of justice and closure. We will prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law.”
Deputy District Attorney Tyler Hopkins prosecuted the case. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office credited the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation and rapid response, saying the work of deputies was instrumental in securing the conviction.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
