>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Darrin Neal Humphreys was charged Thursday with 26 crimes — including witness tampering and menacing — in connection with his service as director of the Oregon Youth Authority’s RiverBend Transitional Youth program at Hilgard.

Humphreys, represented by La Grande attorney Janie Burcart, was arraigned in a brief proceeding in Union County Circuit Court. Judge Russell  B. West presided.

“They (the crimes) are a mix of Class C felonies and Class A misdemeanors,” West said.

He noted that each Class C felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of $125,000, while Class A misdemeanors may bring up to a year in prison and fines of $6,250.

In February 2007, Humphreys left RiverBend to take the job as superintendent at the 300-bed MacLaren Youth Correctional facility at Woodburn. He replaced Gary Lawhead, who retired.

In mid-April 2007, the OYA referred allegations of misconduct at RiverBend to the Oregon State Police. On June 8, amid that agency’s criminal investigation and an OYA internal review, Humphreys resigned the MacLaren position.

Four other RiverBend staff members were placed on administrative leave following the OYA internal review. In October 2007, two of those employees were dismissed and two others resigned. None were ever charged with a crime. One employee was later reinstated, with discipline.

Humphreys’ alleged offenses include official misconduct, tampering with public records, theft, witness tampering and menacing.

Among other things, he is accused in the indictment of stealing shingles and roofing materials from RiverBend, and  having cabinets made and installed in his personal residence by RiverBend youth and staff.

In still other charges, Humphreys is alleged to have illegally received money from a contract to have a sign built at RiverBend.

The indictment also claims Humphreys had the State of Oregon pay cell phone bills for unauthorized personal calls, and received payment for travel he was not entitled to. In other parts of the indictment, Humphreys is accused of the theft of money.

During Thursday’s proceedings, both Burcart and Union County District Attorney Tim Thompson agreed that Humphreys should remain free pending trial.

“He has been under investigation since April 2007 and has stuck around. I don’t think he’s a flight risk,” Thompson said.

West agreed to release Humphreys without bail, but at Thompson’s request stipulated that Humphreys is to have no contact with potential witnesses or RiverBend employees.

The indictment alleges that Humphreys tried to induce two  witnesses to give false testimony about work on the sign. Five other counts accuse Humphreys of threatening to kill witnesses.

Legal proceedings against Humphreys promise to be lengthy, according to statements from both the prosecution and defense.

“It will require a lot of review and paperwork,” Burcart said. “I anticipate huge amounts of discovery. We’re going to need more than the usual timelines.”

Thompson noted that the case file contains more than 300 pages. He suggested that West designate the case a complex one. Such a designation allows attorneys more time to prepare.

West set a plea hearing for 10 a.m. July 15.