DALLAS, Ore. — A Mapleton man has been sentenced to a combined 99 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony offenses stemming from related criminal investigations in Polk and Lane counties.
Jesse Michael Shelton, 45, received a total prison sentence of 99 months, or eight years and three months, following convictions that included sex abuse, strangulation, firearm offenses, driving under the influence, and furnishing alcohol to minors.
The case began in April 2025 when Dallas police officers arrested Shelton on suspicion of driving under the influence. During the traffic stop investigation, officers found two teenage girls, who were unrelated to Shelton, in the backseat of his vehicle. The teens showed signs of consuming marijuana and alcohol.
A search of Shelton’s vehicle uncovered a loaded firearm, multiple rounds of ammunition, assorted liquor, and drug paraphernalia.
Information obtained from the juvenile victims led to a broader criminal investigation in Lane County, where Shelton and the victims resided. The investigation was conducted by detectives with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Lane County District Attorney’s Office.
On May 29, 2026, Shelton pleaded guilty in Lane County Circuit Court to two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of strangulation, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to 70 months in prison.
Less than six weeks later, on July 6, 2026, Shelton appeared before Polk County Circuit Judge Monte Campbell and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of intoxicants, felon in possession of a firearm, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, and two counts of furnishing alcohol to a person under 21.
Judge Campbell sentenced Shelton to an additional 29 months in prison, to be served consecutively to his Lane County sentence, bringing his total incarceration to 99 months. The judge also ordered Shelton to serve 24 months of post-prison supervision following his release.
Authorities said the case was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Dallas Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The Polk County case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kaylee Hudson, while Lane County Deputy District Attorney Erik Knapp handled the Lane County prosecution.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation praised the courage and resilience of the victims throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
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