Melissa Fireside, pictured during her run for Clackamas County's board of commissioners. She has been indicted on multiple felony theft and forgery charges.
Courtesy of the Fireside Campaign
Authorities are looking for former Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside, who they say may have fled the country while awaiting trial.
The Oregon Department of Justice has filed a motion to revoke Fireside’s conditional release after learning she was no longer residing at her listed address in Lexington, Oregon.
Fireside, who was elected last November, resigned from the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners in March after being indicted on multiple felony theft and forgery charges.
The state justice department said in a press release Friday that Fireside is believed to have her 9-year-old son with her. While officials don’t believe he is in danger, they are working to locate him and Fireside as soon as possible.
“Our top concern right now is the safety and well-being of this child,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement. “We are working closely with law enforcement partners here and at the federal level to locate Ms. Fireside and ensure she is held accountable under Oregon law. No one should be able to evade justice by crossing a border.”
Fireside is accused of defrauding her mother’s 83-year-old boyfriend of $30,000 dollars last fall. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
She was released under an agreement with the state but ordered to remain in Oregon unless given permission.
Officials are asking anyone with information on Fireside’s whereabouts to contact the Oregon Department of Justice Criminal Division.
Fireside’s jury trial was scheduled to begin in December.
