Jury finds McCollum guilty on all counts in robbery and beating of Donny Lewis; Judge remands him to jail immediately
A handcuffed Jason McCollum begins to look back as deputies moved him out of the courtroom after he was remanded to jail after being found guilty of first-degree assault and first degree robbery the brutal beating of Donald Lewis of The Dalles. The charges draw 90 month prison terms without the chance of early release.
By Tom Peterson with assistance from Aaron Girdham
The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 30, 2026 — A Wasco County jury found Jason McCollum guilty on Friday of all nine charges in a violent 2021 home-invasion robbery that left 73-year-old Donald “Donny” Lewis severely injured and stripped of what he described as his life savings.
The verdict came after jurors deliberated for roughly three and a half hours following closing arguments in Wasco County Circuit Court. The jury began deliberations around 10:30 a.m. and returned its decision shortly after 2 p.m., prompting Judge Janet Stauffer to reconvene court.
The jury — made up of eight women and four men — confirmed the verdicts were unanimous.
McCollum, a 50-year-old Portland man, entered the courtroom wearing new Levi’s, white Adidas shoes with black stripes and a black jacket with a faux-fur collar. He sat facing forward and showed little visible reaction as Stauffer read the verdict aloud.
McCollum stood trial on charges including first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and first-degree assault stemming from the Jan. 22, 2021, beating and robbery of Lewis.
Following the verdict, Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis asked the court to immediately take McCollum into custody, arguing he posed a flight risk and faced a lengthy prison sentence.
“He almost killed a man,” Davis said. “He’s looking at a decade and a half. This was a brutal crime and it is appropriate to take him into custody.”
Defense attorney Per Olson asked that McCollum remain released until sentencing, telling the court his client was employed street sweeping, complying with electronic monitoring and continuing substance abuse recovery efforts.
Stauffer remanded McCollum into custody.
After deputies handcuffed McCollum and escorted him from the courtroom, Olson said the defense would focus on mitigation at sentencing and pursue an appeal.
“We look forward to sentencing where we will bring forward mitigating information about Mr. McCollum,” Olson said.
John Lingo, who is a friend of Lewis, attended the entire trial. He initially thought jurors might be divided.
“I thought the jury might be 60/40 because they didn’t get to see everything,” Lingo said. “They did a good job. It was tough sitting there for a week and having to listen to what happened to Donny...”
File Photo - Donny Lewis with his dogs in April 2024 while collecting shopping carts on West Fourth Street.
Lewis said he felt relief following the verdict.
“I’m relieved and glad McCollum is off the street,” Lewis said. “I’ve had a lot of anxiety he was out there and still beating up old people.”
Lewis praised investigators and addressed The Dalles Police Capt. Jamie Carrico across the courtroom.
“The Dalles Police Department should be applauded for their efforts,” Lewis said. “They went way beyond to get these guys. It’s five years later, and this is what it takes.”
Turning toward Carrico, Lewis added: “Tell ’em all they can go home early tonight. Society appreciates it. It’s been five years, but they kept going.”
Carrico later said the verdict affirmed the investigation.
“The justice system worked,” Carrico said.
Davis added: “We’re glad we could get justice for Donny.”
Victim’s advocate program director Karen Shultz said the trauma Lewis endured was immeasurable and that she could see relief when the verdict was read.
“When the guilty verdicts were read, you could see the relief,” Shultz said. “It was finally over.”
The trial capped five days of testimony that included graphic details of the assault, surveillance evidence tied to a rented vehicle and testimony from a cooperating accomplice who said he was forced to participate in the robbery under threat of violence.
Lewis testified the attackers zip-tied him, beat him unconscious and stole a safe containing $150,000 in cash, rare coins and family military medals. He underwent multiple surgeries and told jurors he continues to suffer long-term injuries.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
