By Joseph Snook
Investigative Journalist
Prineville, Oregon – Concerned about the growing debt of the United States amid one of the deepest recessions and highest deficits this country has ever seen, a local man from Prineville is standing up for the “Blue Collar” taxpayers of Crook County, Oregon. Gerald (Jerry) Keller, 67, of Prineville, Oregon, was arrested on April 8 for voicing his (First Amendment) concerns to a government (our) employee regarding the purchase of an H-1 Hummer for the BLM (Bureau of Land Management).
On the morning of March 11, 2010, Jerry Keller and his wife, Brenda, were returning home in their vehicle when they witnessed a yellow H-1 Hummer approaching the roadway. As they neared the Hummer, Jerry stated: “I noticed a BLM logo on the side of the vehicle.”
As they passed the Hummer, Jerry turned to Brenda and stated, “Hey Momma, can you believe that, a 60-70 thousand dollar vehicle being used by the BLM.” Being a hard-working taxpayer and law-abiding citizen his entire life, with no criminal record and only one minor traffic citation over 40 years prior, Jerry pulled over to the side of the road. Jerry felt it was his duty to let the approaching driver of the H-1 Hummer know that he didn’t agree with his tax revenue being used to purchase such lavish vehicles for the BLM.
According to Jerry, he never cursed at Renfro; he made peaceful and direct statements, then returned to his vehicle and went home. Jerry stated he was surprised to see BLM employee and operator of the Hummer, Benjamin Renfro, “Wearing a red Hawaiian shirt, which is not a standard BLM employee uniform.”
During our interview, Jerry voiced his concerns about the USFS (United States Forest Service) and BLM. Working in the Timber industry most of his life, Jerry stated, “Both the USFS and BLM are over-budgeted, under-producing, and out of control. Look at our forests; they are nearly gone. What are they (BLM) doing with all of this money besides purchasing Hummers?
They are thinning our land and destroying habitat for wild animals. Why do we need federal employees to take care of our forests? The States should take care of their own forests, and rein in the wasted spending and save the taxpayers’ money.”
FALSE ALLEGATIONS – FALSE ARREST
On April 8, almost one month after the alleged incident, Officer Jordan Zamora of the Prineville Police Department arrested Jerry Keller at his home residence for allegedly interfering with a Firefighter, unlawful entry, and disorderly conduct. According to police reports, Jerry was cooperative. Despite his disagreement with the police reports, Jerry continues to voice his concern for local taxpayers. He put up three signs on his property to raise awareness among local residents of Prineville. He stated, “The District Attorney is now trying to use these signs against me, as if I’m some kind of extremist, in an attempt to build their case.”
Inaccurate Police Reports?
One major concern is that Jerry Keller obstructed Benjamin Renfro from passing Jerry’s vehicle. The location of the incident was reportedly changed by Renfro during his statement to a roadway with only two lanes, no center turning lane, and no bike lane, which is what both Jerry and his wife, Brenda Keller, described as the location. The location where both Jerry and Brenda stated the incident took place was much closer to where Renfro’s statement places Jerry and Renfro’s vehicles, as Renfro pulled behind Jerry, coming from Deer St. and turning onto West 9th St., headed north. According to BLM employee Benjamin Renfro’s own statement, he was only seventy percent certain of what Jerry Keller looked like. How could he be certain beyond a reasonable doubt of the location where the incident occurred?
(This disproves Count 2: Disorderly Conduct)
Brenda stated that after reading the police reports, she couldn’t believe what Renfro was accusing her husband of. She stated, “As soon as Jerry exited our vehicle, I unbuckled my seatbelt and watched the entire incident.” She continued, “My husband’s thumbs were inside his pants pocket, with his fingers touching his jeans during their entire conversation.”
Renfro’s original half-page statement was brief. His second detailed statement to Prineville Police Officer Jordan Zamora was almost five full pages in length. The accusations by Renfro increased considerably. Given his uncertain initial recollection of specific details regarding the reported incident, this poses a question: How could Renfro remember so much more — thirty-on— days after his initial statement? It is doubtful that someone who couldn’t get the license plate right (according to the police report) and is only 70% certain about someone’s identity could suddenly say so much more?
Another important piece of information which was “QUOTED” several times in Officer Zamora’s report was the alleged “SLAMMING” on the brakes by Jerry while stopping his vehicle, creating “SMOKE OR DUST.” According to expert witness Bob Fox, owner of Bob Fox Auto Repair, “44 feet of skid marks were produced by Jerry’s vehicle while ‘Slamming’ Jerry’s brakes, traveling per hour.” Mr. Fox also noted that while conducting his tests, “there was an absence of smoke and or dustand/or observing ‘Slamming’ on the brakes.” It is reported that these tests were conducted on the same type of roadway as 9th Street.
Another inconsistency in Renfro’s statement is that Jerry “Slamming” on the brakes of his vehicle left complete “skid marks” altogether. According to one eyewitness source, both disputed locations of the alleged incident presented “No skid marks whatsoever.” This disproves Renfro’s statement. In fact, when comparing Renfro’s original statement with the statement produced by the police – this is ,e perfect example of a false and exaggerated police report, created to ensure a successful prosecution.
“Its budget is $960,000,000 for 2010” –Wikipedia – BLM Budget
With a current government crisis on revenue and spending, many people are concerned with where to cut costs. Our own elected politicians are often at such odds that budgets are rarely agreed upon. One local business owner of Prineville stated, “Our government has grown so much that it is impossible to sustain it financially. Private-sector residents of Prineville who are fortunate enough to have a job can barely afford to put food on the table, especially those who aren’t already receiving government assistance. When I see expensive BLM vehicles driving through town, it makes sense that people are outraged.”
2012 BLM budget – 1,231,700,000 (Billion) – U.S. Department Of The Interior
Statements from BLM Administrative Officer Rachel Carver pose specific questions regarding the reported false charges against Jerry Keller – Was he obstructing the duties of a firefighter? Was the vehicle properly equipped to fight fires? Was employee Benjamin Renfro properly dressed in firefighting gear? On May 25, 2011, Rachel Carver from the Prineville BLM office returned my call and was very respectful and informative. Although she didn’t know BLM employee Benjamin Renfro, she stated, “It is very likely that a BLM employee was driving an H-1 Hummer that didn’t have an emergency light bar, or proper firefighting equipment; It is also possible that he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt in March of 2010.” She also stated that “During the off-fire season, it is common for BLM employees to wear civilian clothing.”
(This disproves count 1: Interfering with a Firefighter)
The US~Observer would ask: How can a person interfere with a firefighter inside the City Limits of Prineville, Oregon, during the off-fire season? Off-fire season, Jerry stated, “In an attempt to get another conviction, Crook County Prosecutor Victoria Schwartz offered me a plea bargain on January 25 that excluded the Disorderly Conduct charge, and required that I plead guilty or no contest to count 1: interfering with a firefighter, and also pay a $500.00 dollar fine.”
As Jerry again proclaimed his innonence, innocence, “I will not accept any plea offer, I am 100% innocent and will take this to a jury trial if I have to.” Offering Plea Bargains is a common practice for prosecutors and is referred to as “legal blackmail.”
During a recent conversation with a prosecutor in California, he stated, “If you had asked me three years ago to be a defense attorney, I would have laughed. I have always wanted to put the bad guys behind bars. Since becoming a prosecutor, I have butted heads with the District Attorney more often than with the people I prosecute. I am now considering leaving the prosecutor’s office to become a defense attorney because the DA’s office is more concerned with convictions than serving justice.”
The US~Observer’s intent is to not portray a negative image upon Prineville BLM, or Prineville Police Dept., although it would be naïve to say that all law enforcement officers and government employees are truthful – specifically after conducting a thorough investigation into the false criminal charges against Jerry Keller.
One fact remains: 67-yr67-year-oldJerry Keller had never been arrested until April 8. The US~Observer has documented and proven many lies on the part of both BLM employees and bad police officers over the past twenty years. We also have many prime examples of embellished, altered and false ,police reports.
The people of Crook County are asked to support Jerry and their right to voice their concerns, which is every American’s First Amendment right. Everyone in Crook County should share this article — the factual truth about Jerry Keller and the false charges brought against this outstanding citizen. And remember, if this can happen to Jerry, it can happen to anyone residing in Crook County, Oregon.
Benjamin Franklin once stated, “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.” Don’t allow this to happen, Prineville!
