About two weeks ago, I covered the announcement that 175 wanted criminals were rounded up in a six day sweep by the US Marshals. The sweep covered Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties and was dubbed Operation Falcon (federal and local cops organized nationally) . . . in it's third year, Falcon took place in 28 cities this time around.



During the bust, two men wanted in Oregon were found sitting in prison cells in other states . . . and ONE man was enlisted and partway through boot camp across the country.



The Marshals tell me that these kind of cases ARE known to happen, because there is no national database available where you can punch in a name and get every crime and warrant associated with an individual.



In FACT, when I visited a local Army recruiting station in Beaverton, Sgt. Marcus Daniels told me that every recruit requires several phone calls.



For example . . . if someone LIVES in Beaverton, but WORKS in Portland, the recruiter has to call Beaverton Police, Beaverton Municipal, Washington County, Multnomah County, Portland Police and Portland Municipal . . . just to START. As a result, if someone was arrested in Denver, Colorado . . . it may get missed.



Dale Ortman with the US Marshals says the man who made it to boot camp was the focus of a secret indictment for sex abuse . . . sealed or secret indictments don't show up on some checks and have to be asked about specifically. Ortman goes on to say that it IS feasible that there are men and/or women serving overseas who are wanted back in the states.



That may not ALWAYS be the case. Sgt. Daniels says a nationwide database IS in the test phase on the east coast. Simply enter a name and social security number and you have access to EVERY potential warrant or crime in a subject's past. However, that database must first pass the east coast tests before reaching the west coast and there is no word on when that might happen.

After months of legal wrangling, two 13-year-old students at Patton Middle School MAY formally go on trial for sexual harassment after allegedly spanking female classmates in the hallway . . . but a final effort by the defense COULD stop things before they even get started.

In February, the two boys were taken into juvenile custody (led into court in full shackles and jail jumpsuits) after a teacher reported seeing them swatting girls on the bottom. After further investigation, it was revealed that the spanking was considered part of an ongoing game of "tag" among the students AND the girls allegedly reciprocated the behavior. Additionally, the two boys allegedly performed a dance called "party boying" taken from a recent movie where one person gyrates next to another person. Finally, one of the boys allegedly admitted to touching a classmate's breast.

Both teens were held in custody for five days, eventually released to their parents but not allowed to return to school.

As proceedings began, several of the alleged victims DENOUNCED the case, claiming their own accusation had been coerced and blown out of proportion . . . they backed up claims by the two boys that it was just a friendly game and the boys did nothing wrong. (the defense alleges that the assistant principal went too far interrogating the female teens one by one in his office with only a male police officer on hand . . . )

As summer began, rumors of a plea offer circulated but then dissolved as the formal trial date loomed.

A month before trial, THREE of the alleged victims were dropped from the prosecution.

Two weeks ago, the judge began hearing arguments to DISMISS the case entirely on grounds that the prosecution mishandled the investigation. The judge DID agree to drop charges of sex abuse but would NOT throw out the entire case stating that the prosecution was NOT acting maliciously or selectively as the defense had claimed (reportedly, a third boy had been touching girls the SAME DAY as the two facing charges but was treated far differently . . . a fact that frustrates the accused boys' parents).

In another startling move, the judge SUPPRESSED testimony by both boys from the day the whole thing began on the grounds that they were not adequately instructed of their rights.

Now comes word that the defense has struck a deal with three MORE of the alleged victims. The trio will ask to be DROPPED from the prosecution in exchange for $250.00 compensation and an apology. Also, the two boys will agree to meet with a counselor. If that goes through, only ONE alleged victim will remain and reports are THAT girl has admitted to spanking the boys ten times.

Provided the judge agrees to the recent deal, the defense may push to call the whole thing off first thing this morning.

If you're looking for a unique way to spend a mid-summer evening . . . you MIGHT want to head to 200 SW Market and look up. The Make-A-Wish Junior Board is hosting Wishful Putting . . . an annual golf game held on the terrace putting green. In addition to the putting tournament there'll be food, drinks, live music and all sorts of prizes . . . and of course, the whole thing is a benefit for the Make-A-Wish foundation. For more info log onto www.orwish.org and click the "News and Events" link.

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If you have an event or a story you'd like to see on Colby's blog, shoot him an e-mail: colby.reade@kxl.com Make sure you put "Blog" in the subject line . . .