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Salem-News.com Officers began this investigation at about 11:15 am. The officer's finished the investigation just after 1:00 AM. In all, 12 adults were arrested on 78 criminal charges and 17 children were taken into protective custody. Tina Walker
Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office
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(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Police Department's Drug Activity Response Team (DART) responded to 2910 Saddle Club Rd SE on a drug house complaint involving children. Officers say they received permission to search the house and found drug paraphernalia.  Officers arrested 35-year old Tina Louise Walker for Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine,and Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold.
Walker's 4 children, ages 16, 14, 10, and 7 were taken into protective custody. Salem Police Lt. Steve Bellshaw says Walker agreed to assist officers by calling her drug supplier and ordering more drugs. With Street Crimes detectives listening in, Walker ordered more meth from 51-year old Evyette Shull. Shull sent her 15 year old son to deliver the drugs to Walker's residence. When the son arrived at the residence, he was detained and interviewed by detectives. He told detectives he had delivered meth for his mother at least 4 other times. Bellshaw says he also admitted to having used meth with his mother at least 5 times in the last month. DART and Street Crimes officers responded to Shull's residence and found not only Shull, but also 42-year old Wendy Samuelson, who had delivered the meth to Shull's residence earlier in the day. They had made the deal and re-packaged the meth for sale in front of the 15 year old son. Shull's two children, ages 15 and 17 were taken into protective custody. Shull was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance- Meth, 9 counts of Using a Minor in a Controlled Substance, Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Meth, 9 Counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor, 2 Counts of Child Neglect in the First Degree, 2 counts of Endangering Welfare of a Minor, Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold, Criminal Mistreatment First Degree, and Manufacture of Methamphetamine. Her total bail on the charges is $9,385,000.00. Samuelson was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance - Meth, Using a Minor in a Controlled Substance Offense, Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Child Neglect First Degree. Walker continued to assist detectives by providing the name of a second person that she had previously purchased drugs from. Detectives responded to 4769 Castle Dr. NE where they contacted 31-year old Eva Hofrichter. A search of that residence turned up meth and marijuana. Hofrichter's 6 children, ages 17, 10, 8, 5, 3 and 2 were taken into protective custody. Hofrichter was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Meth, 6 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold. Bellshaw says this suspect also agreed to assist detectives by ordering more drugs from her supplier. She called 29-year old Aubraey Ross at the Crosslands Motel. Street Crimes detectives observed the room while Ross made the call. Three people were seen leaving the room and were stopped a short distance away. Arrested were 33-year old Candyy Dawn Reckard who faces a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, and 37-year old Phillip Anderson, who was booked for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth and a Probation Violation warrant. 33-year old Teri Smith was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth. Street Crimes and DART detectives went to Aubraey Mae Ross's room and contacted Ross and 34-year old Tommy Geron Wilkey. Detectives found that Ross is currently about 6 months pregnant. Salem Police officers and Department of Human Services caseworkers had previously removed two of Ross's children due to drug usage. Ross has made arrangements with a family in South Carolina to adopt her unborn child. The family, through their attorney, were paying Ross's living expenses at the motel until the child was born. Detectives have been in contact with the attorney to inform him of this investigation. Ross was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Meth, and for Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold. Wilkey was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold and a Probation Violation. Bellshaw says that while detectives were searching the motel room, "Wilkey's phone rang non-stop. Detectives started answering the phone and set up drug deals." Detectives made a deal with 47-year old Willis Weltz and 35-year old Jerry Weltz to exchange stereo speakers for drugs. When the Weltz's arrived at the motel, both Willis and Jerry were arrested for Attempted Unlawful Possession of Meth. After being arrested, Willis Weltz told detectives he had left his four minor children and his 1 month old granddaughter at home alone while he came to buy drugs. Bellshaw says detectives responded to the residence and conducted a search. "Drug residue was located and the residence was filthy and unfit for the children to be in. The 5 children, ages 17, 15, 13, 11, and 1 month were placed in protective custody." Willis Weltz was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, 5 counts of Criminal Mistreatment of a Child, 5 Counts Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold. Willis's wife, 39-year old Laurie Weltz, was charged with 5 counts of Criminal Mistreatment of a Child. According to Bellshaw, officers began this investigation at about 11:15 AM. They finished the investigation just after 1:00 AM. In all, 12 adults were arrested on 78 criminal charges and 17 children were taken into protective custody. ----------------------------------------------- Oregonoan NOELLE CROMBIE and DAVID AUSTIN Salem police say it's not unusual to bust parents using methamphetamine in front of their kids. But a major case this week that saw the arrest of 12 adults and 17 children taken into protective custody is completely out of the ordinary, authorities say. For starters, it involves four mothers who police said used and dealt meth out of their homes, including one who used her 15-year-old son as a courier. That boy, police said, told officers he used meth with his mom five times during the last month. Evyette Shull, 51, is being held on $9.3 million bail for her alleged role in the drug ring. The case also involved a woman who is six months pregnant, had already had two children taken from her by state officials because of drug use and was using meth and taking money from a South Carolina couple who planned to adopt the baby, said Salem police Lt. Steve Bellshaw. "To us, it was kind of astounding that these were all moms and to have so many kids involved in this and the fact that one mom was using her son to deliver drugs and be a whole part of this thing -- that is something we don't run into a lot," said Bellshaw, who ran the investigation. Eleven people were arrested Wednesday, followed by the arrest of another Thursday as the investigation continued, police said. Some of the children were living in squalid conditions when they were taken into custody by child services officials. Some were placed with relatives, while others are temporarily in foster homes. Patricia Feeny, a spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services, said five caseworkers have been assigned to the matter. Of the 17 children, 12 were placed in the custody of relatives or friends. The remaining five were taken into protective custody, Feeny said, but probably would be placed with relatives by next week. Bellshaw, the Salem police lieutenant, said many of the children were left to fend for themselves. The older teens were responsible for caring for the younger children while the adults plied their illicit drug trade. He said detectives often target drug suppliers but this case was different. "All of these people look like they were using and selling to support their habit," he said. According to police, Shull, the 51-year-old mother of two, was one of the masterminds He said detectives often target drug suppliers but this case was different. "All of these people look like they were using and selling to support their habit," he said. According to police, Shull, the 51-year-old mother of two, was one of the masterminds
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