PENDLETON â A former Umatilla County Commissioner candidate who claimed a racist letter was left anonymously in his mailbox was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 29, for initiating a false report, according to the Umatilla County District Attorneyâs Office.
Jonathan Lopez, 30, reported to the Hermiston Police Department in June 2020 that he found a letter in the mailbox of his residence in Hermiston containing derogatory racial terms and veiled threats. At the time, Lopez was a recent candidate for a Umatilla County Commissionerâs seat. He placed fourth in the May 2020 primary.
A copy of the letter was given to the police department, prompting an investigation into Lopezâs background that raised concerns about the letterâs authenticity. Lopez was questioned by police and later confessed to writing the letter himself.
Tuesday, Jan. 12
5:15 p.m. â A motor vehicle accident was reported blocking the intersection at West Elm Avenue and North First Place.
Wednesday, Jan. 13
10:20 a.m. â A burglary was reported on South First Street.
10:23 a.m. â An assault was reported on East Jennie Avenue.
1:10 p.m. â A disturbance was reported on S. Highway 395.
3:31 p.m. â A burglary was reported on West McKenzie Ave.
5:43 p.m. â A domestic disturbance was reported on East Ridgeway Avenue.
Thursday, Jan. 14
9:59 a.m. â A hit-and-run was reported on North First Street.
2:31 p.m. â A caller reported she had heard the National Guard was going door-to-door in Hermiston stating they were instituting martial law and she wanted to know if that was true. It was not.