THE DALLES — The last co-defendant in a home invasion that left elderly Donald Lewis badly hurt in 2021 was sentenced to 19 years and seven months on Jan. 20.
Jason McCollum will serve the whole 235 months day-for-day with no programming allowed, Judge Janet Stauffer ruled.
Another man implicated in the crime, Jeremy Lee Anderson, took a plea deal and got 100 months. The court acquitted another defendant, Marshall McFarlane, in 2023 after he passed a polygraph test and found credible alibi witnesses.
They allegedly entered Lewis’ home, pistol-whipped and beat him, according to 2023 statements from Matthew Ellis, then Wasco County district attorney.
“They then hog-tied [Lewis] while they removed his safe and valuables from the back bedrooms, and kicked him numerous times,” Ellis continued. “The men took more than $100,000 in cash, valuable coins and jewelry. They left him alone on the floor with his injuries.” While the suspects left to crack his safe, Lewis managed to cut his bonds and escape.
McCollum pled not-guilty to all charges, and was convicted by a jury.
At the sentencing, current Wasco County District Attorney Kara Davis — after three days combing McCollum’s jail visits and phone calls — presented clips as evidence he lacked remorse.
Lewis still suffers from injuries, being too old to get reconstructive surgery, Davis said.
“The fact that this was at home and that home invasion robbery in our small county, by people from Portland, which never happens ... That is a much greater than average harm,” Davis said.
McCollum’s attorney also spoke on the jail calls, noting a conversation with various friends in the recovery community, whom he encouraged. “He’s between two worlds,” the attorney said.
McCollum will pay a total of $150,000 in restitution without objection across 15 installments, money Lewis was saving for retirement. McCollum’s $25,000 bail will be put toward the sum, too.
He is expected to appeal.
“I do want to make it really clear that I did read the documents, and I appreciate the letters from the family,” Stauffer said. “I hope that you are genuine and you wish to become a better person.”
Commented