Final Island City car chase suspect enters guilty plea for three felony charges

Published 11:00 am Saturday, August 12, 2023

LA GRANDE — The third and final suspect arrested last summer after a high-speed car chase out of Island City pleaded guilty and was convicted won three felony counts in Union County Circuit Court.

Demus Montez, 37, pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and first-degree criminal mischief on Thursday, Aug. 3, according to court documents.

Judge James Fun on Aug. 7 convicted Montez for the unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He sentenced Montez to three years of supervised probation and ordered him to pay a $500 fine to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

District Attorney Kelsie McDaniel prosecuted the case. Montez was represented by court-appointed counsel — Pendleton attorney Jody Vaughan.

Fun discharged the count of first-degree criminal mischief — meaning the court did not impose punishment.

Montez, along with Jessica Spalinger and Ashtin Romine, was arrested in July 2022 in connection to a burglary at Muzzleloader’s and More, in Island City, and subsequent car chase. According to law enforcement, the trio fled from the parking lot in a car driven by Spalinger, injuring the business owner’s daughter. They were pursued in a high-speed chase during which shots were fired at Oregon State Police. The chase ended in Elgin with all three suspects fleeing on foot into the underbrush near Indian Creek.

In addition to the general conditions of probation, Montez is required to comply with additional special conditions. He is not allowed to have any contact with the victims or his co-defendants.

Montez must submit to testing for controlled substances or alcohol. He must report for an alcohol/substance use evaluation and undergo treatment if recommended. Montez is not allowed to have or use any illegal drugs or alcohol and must forfeit all drug paraphernalia.

He cannot frequent places where illegal drugs are kept, used or sold nor associate with people known to use, sell or possess illegal drugs. He also is not allowed to go to bars or taverns.

The court’s judgment included the stipulation that if Montez’s probation is revoked, he will be sent to prison.

In this event, he will serve 48 months for unlawful use of a weapon and 24 months for being a felony in possession of a firearm, which would run concurrently.

He would be eligible for programs and receive credit for time served. Upon his release, he would undergo post-prison supervision.

The court dismissed the other charges against Montez.