Attempted Murder Charge against former Rufus Mayor dropped in plea deal
First-degree attempted assault draws 18 months of incarceration
By Tom Peterson
Dowen Michael Jones, 48, was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to firing four gunshots on a vehicle near Parkdale on Halloween, 2022.
Dowen Michael Jones, 48, of Rufus, recently pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree attempted assault after striking a plea deal with the prosecutor’s office in August.
The charge of attempted murder against Jones was dismissed.
The first-degree attempted assault convictions relate back to the four gunshots he took at a vehicle during what appears to be a road rage incident that occurred near Parkdale on Halloween, 2022.
At approximately 8:43 P.M. on October 31st, 2022, a family of four was traveling south on Highway 281 (between Dee and Parkdale) following behind an SUV that was reported driving erratically, the Hood River Sheriff’s Office reported at the time.
Upon reaching the 6000 block of Highway 281, the SUV pulled over abruptly, causing the driver of the family vehicle some concern.
The family slowed to get a description of the suspect vehicle for the purpose of reporting the erratic driving to the Sheriff’s Office.
As the family passed the suspect vehicle, a male subject stepped out of the passenger side and fired four rounds from a handgun at the passing family. The two children in the back of the vehicle were ages 5 and 8 at the time.
The gunfire caused damage to the family’s vehicle. The automobile was occupied by four people, as two adults were also in the vehicle.
There were no injuries as a result of the shooting, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The next day, investigators were able to identify Jones and locate the vehicle utilized in the shooting.
Deputies from the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office contacted Jones in the City of Rufus, where he was the elected Mayor.
During the sentencing hearing on Sept. 6, 2023, Jones’ plea agreement was accepted by Circuit Court Judge Marion Weatherford.
Weatherford required Jones to forfeit his firearm, have no contact with the victims, and pay $13,042 in fines and restitution within 120 days.
Weatherford then ordered that Jones serve 18 months in prison with credit for time served. The judge also ordered 3 years of post-prison supervision. And, Jones must submit fingerprints and a blood or mouth cavity sample.
Jones was also ordered to pay an additional $25,042 in compensatory fines and restitution that will go to the victims, according to the judgment.
