La Grande man arrested for causing a disturbance, yelling racial slurs at Moon Motel

Published 3:00 pm Sunday, September 24, 2023

LA GRANDE — A La Grande man was arrested after causing a disturbance and yelling racial slurs at a La Grande motel.

Pramesh “Sam” Lal, 60, was taken into custody Wednesday, Sept. 20, for two counts of coercion, two counts of second-degree bias crime, two counts of menacing, resisting arrest, third-degree escape and second-degree disorderly conduct, according to Oregon public records.

Union Court Circuit Court Judge Thomas Powers set bail at $10,000 and Lal posted his security release, according to court records. As part of his release agreement, he is required to comply with a substance abuse package and is not allowed to possess any ammunition, weapons or firearms. He is albarred from contact with any of the individuals involved in the situation.

Lal is due in court Oct. 19 for a plea hearing. He will be represented by court-appointed counsel through Oregon Public Defense Services.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Sept. 20, La Grande Police Sgt. Ryan Herbel responded to a report of a disturbance at Moon Motel, 2116 Adams Ave., according to the probable cause declaration. Lal walked up to Herbel as he arrived on scene — yelling that someone needed to get out of his house with expletives and racial slurs. Herbel asked Lal to stop yelling, but he continued to yell the same phrase over and over.

Herbel reported that Lal’s eyes were allegedly watery and bloodshot and that his eyelids were droopy. He was stumbling as he walked and swaying while standing still. Herbel also noted that Lal was slurring his words as he yelled.

After asking Lal to stay outside, Herbel went to speak with Kami Reddy — the owner of the motel and Lal’s significant other — and her caretaker, Latarbria Ferguson, according to the probable cause declaration. Herbel noted in his report the pair are close friends and Ferguson had a legal right to be there as Reddy’s guest and caretaker.

Lal reportedly tried to enter the room with Reddy and Ferguson, but Herbel and senior officer Ryan Bernards stood in the way to keep him out, according to the probable cause declaration. Lal continued yelling racial slurs and saying that he was going to get his gun. Herbel knew from previous encounters with Lal that he did not have a gun.

Herbel noted that from his previous encounter he knew that Lal typically withdrew into the apartment as soon as he pushed the line enough for criminal charges.

“As soon as we get close to arrest him, he locks the door, moves to another door or window, and keeps screaming. He will play this game until officers have to give up and leave,” Herbel wrote.

Herbel watched the motel from across the street and waited for Lal to come back outside, according to the probable cause declaration. Around 4:30 p.m. Lal left the apartment and Herbel began to drive over in his patrol car, but Lal saw him and returned inside. Herbel parked down the street and walked over. He approached Lal and told him he was under arrest.

Lal reportedly resisted and tried to get away from Herbel, according to the probable cause declaration. Herbel tried to place him in handcuffs, but Lal continued to resist and tried to twist away from him. Herbel called for backup and warned Lal that he would take him down to the ground to finish handcuffing him.

Herbel warned Lal twice more before taking him down to the ground. He secured him in handcuffs and checked injury. In his report Herbel noted there was a large scrape from the fall. However, Lal allegedly refused to allow law enforcement to document his injury.