In Oregon's upcoming Legislative House District 21 race covering Keizer and Central Salem, Democratic candidate Ramiro Navarro, Jr. has played up his “second chance” narrative, though it’s now becoming clear that he’s left off most of the story.

In 2020, Navarro ran for what was then House District 25, including Keizer, St. Paul and Newberg against incumbent Representative Bill Post and it was soon discovered that he had a criminal background. However, until now, the full details of his past and current lawbreaking were not public. Now, as a candidate running against Kevin Mannix in a race both candidates describe as focused on criminal justice, further details are being revealed.

In 2011, Navarro Jr. was indicted with delivery of marijuana with intent to sell, coercion, child neglect in the first degree, and endangering the welfare of a minor. The first three charges are felonies. Navarro threatened to kidnap his own child from his then wife, Veronica. He had a firearm and his child in the vehicle while delivering marijuana.

Navarro pleaded down to coercion and unlawful delivery of marijuana for consideration and was sentenced with fines and 18 months prison time. He then violated the conditions of his terms of release -- including a restraining order -- and was re-arrested on seven contempt charges. The District Attorney sought his immediate confinement.

Navarro never previously disclosed to voters any information about how his military service ended. In recorded conversations from prison, he acknowledged that “the Army washed their hands of me.” In fact, in a conversation with someone who appears to be his sergeant, he is told that the military was already working on expelling him before his guilty plea.

After serving his sentence, Navarro violated parole for failing to report to his probation officer and for having made contact with his former wife with whom he was not allowed to have any contact with. He was arrested and again sentenced to prison.

In 2013, Navarro was charged with criminal mischief for smashing the car windows of his ex-wife’s boyfriend. He was convicted not once, but twice for this crime.

In February of 2022, after once again announcing his run for office, Navarro was pulled over for driving 72 in a 55 zone. He was given a warning for speeding and switching license plates. He was also cited for driving with a suspended license. Navarro failed to appear in Court to answer the charge.

Navarro’s license had originally been suspended when he failed to appear in court in January. That court appearance was also for driving while suspended. Navarro’s fine was sent to a collection agency. Logs show that his license was suspended numerous times.

But there’s more. Navarro has had children with three different women who have all taken him to court to pay child support. His first, second, and third mothers of his children all filed for support. One court order applies to two children with one of the three women. Navarro Jr. only paid off almost $10,000 in past due support this February, after he filed to run for public office. The same happened in 2020 when he first ran for the Oregon House. He was also ordered to pay “back debt” to the US Army.

In 2021, Navarro was evicted even after his landlord agreed to a settlement to allow Navarro to stay. Navarro violated the terms of the agreement and the Sheriff was ordered to remove him from the apartment.

In 2021, Navarro was sued in small claims court for unpaid medical bills. He never responded to the lawsuit, forcing the court to garnish his wages to enforce the judgment against him.

Finally, it was recently reported that at least two workers and a volunteer left Navarro’s campaign after revelations that Navarro had hired a man to work on his campaign who has a conviction for sexually abusing a child.

This April, Navarro penned a letter to the editor saying that he is a “model for others to start their recovery.” Clearly, that recovery is yet to kick in.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2022-10-18 06:15:35

Last Update: 2022-10-18 12:27:43