Dozing, crashed driver arrested with guns and drugs in Hazelwood

This convicted felon, caught with guns and drugs, and who racked up nine felony charges in outer East Portland, was released without bail within hours of being booked …

Portland Police Bureau officers converge on a vehicle with an “unresponsive” driver – along with a cache of guns and drugs.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

It seems incredible, but it’s true: After several firearms and drugs were seized from a convicted felon following a one-vehicle crash, this suspect strode out of jail – within hours after being arrested on Tuesday evening, February 24th, in the Hazelwood neighborhood.

Here’s how it unfolded. At 10:20 p.m. that evening, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precincts officers were dispatched after reports of a driver slumped behind the wheel of a still-running car at a stoplight near NE 139th and East Burnside Street.

Arriving officers located the vehicle which had crashed into a concrete mailbox. The driver, identified as 34-year-old Cory Steven Holland of Portland, was the sole occupant, and didn’t respond to officers.

Here’s a look at the arsenal of weapons officers found in the suspect’s vehicle. PPB image

The officers also spied a gun near the dozing Holland, and called for backup. Incoming squad cars boxed in Holland’s vehicle to immobilize it. With Holland continuing to be unresponsive, officers broke a window in his car and safely detained him, while they investigated.

A quick look-up on a PPB Mobile Computer Terminal told police that Holland was a convicted felon. Searching his car, officers located and seized three handguns, two unregistered short-barreled AR-15-style rifles, ammunition, and drugs.

Oregon jails are still forbidden to provide booking photos taken after a suspect is arrested, under Oregon State law, prior to conviction. Thus, you’re not allowed to see the MCDC booking photo of Cory Steven Holland, taken after his arrest. CLICK HERE for details.

Holland was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 11:05 p.m., on charges of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, Felon in Possession of a Firearm (five counts), Possession of an Illegal Weapon (two counts), Altering ID on a Firearm, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

According to court records, Holland also was charged in DA Case No. 1111649 the Class C Felony of “Supplying Contraband” – which often appears in booking records for individuals bringing illegal items into the jail.

However, a judge released Holland back into the community the next day, without being required to pay any bail.

Release Reason: Court Release on his own Recognizance. Evidently he struck the judge as trustworthy.

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