Oregon: Powers man accused of capturing, torturing fawn

OREGON -- A 56-year-old man faces accusations he illegally trapped a fawn [and then took it home and] "injured and tortured the animal over a span of as many as four days which resulted in the death of the animal," the Coos County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

The incident allegedly happened in early June, the sheriff's office said.

It's one of 3 incidents involving Steven L. Tallhunter that resulted in his arrest Sunday, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies booked Tallhunter on 1 count of Aggravated Animal Abuse I, 2 counts of Criminal Trespass II, 1 count of Criminal Mischief III and 1 count of Reckless Driving.

The other charges stem from two separate incidents near Powers.

Police say the first incident, accused Tallhunter of trespassed at the Powers County Park. Police say he left but later returned.

According to deputies, the second incident accused Tallhunter of using his vehicle to trespass on the Powers Airport property during a fly-in. Police say he then used the vehicle to damage the runway, nearly striking a person in the process.

Neighbors accuse Tallhunter of coming onto their property and trying to coax their children over to him as well.

“[He] walked around the back side of my yard, leaned over what is called a dike, and was trying to get my children to come up there," said Powers resident Sarah Hofsess. "They come in the house screaming and yelling… We told him to leave, and he just – he don’t care. He’s – I mean, he’s here.”

The investigations remain open, and the Coos County Sheriff's Office asked anyone who may have witnessed incidents involving Tallhunter in the Powers area and the Powers County Park specifically during the Memorial Day Weekend and the White Cedar Days celebration to call Deputy Doug Miller at (541) 396-7830.

(KCBY - July 13, 2016)

Previous:
News release from the Coos Co. Sheriff's Office. On August 13, 2014, at about 2301 hours, a Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Myrtle Point Police Officer responded to 98688 Thornberry Lane, Myrtle Point in response to a report of a domestic dispute occurring there.

Through the course of the investigation it was learned Steven Tallhunter had allegedly strangled his wife, Laurie Tallhunter and subjected her to unwanted physical contact which constituted the crime of Harassment. Additionally, Tallhunter had allegedly made efforts to keep his wife from calling 911 constituting the crime of Interfering with Making a Report.

It was further learned Tallhunter had also subjected his fifteen year old daughter to unwanted physical contact which constituted the crime of Harassment. Steven Tallhunter was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail. (Bay Area Police Gazette - September 2014)