Find out what led up to the Portland Police raid of this once-lovely home, now trashed by squatters …
About to execute a search warrant on a “troubled house” in the Parkrose Heights neighborhood, Portland Police move into position along NE 102nd Avenue.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Hidden behind overgrown trees and shrubs at 2210 NE 102nd Avenue: A once-stately, sprawling, 3,116 sq. ft. ranch house. Those picking it to be “squatters” in assumed they’d easily go unnoticed by those driving by.
Apparently, “that’s when trouble began – all kinds, day and night,” remarked a neighbor who asked not to be publicly identified. After seeing Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers raid this house on April 29, his comment was, “Finally! We’ve waited for this day for months!”
Members of the PPB’s Special Emergency Reaction Team, including this officer, walk into the area.
It’s not clear exactly when the band of squatters moved in, but the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS) recorded a Nuisance/Vacant Complaint concerning “Trash, debris, and non-trash items littering property” on September 26 of 2024. The problem was reported again on November 4, and again on April 3, 2025.
On April 20, BES recorded another Complaint: “Police referral – Squatters, occupied without utilities, trash and debris.”
A few days later, on April 29, PPB East Precinct’s Neighborhood Response Team (NRT), assisted by the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), a Police Dog Unit, and a Drone Unit – along with officers from both the North and Central Neighborhood Response Teams – executed a search warrant there.
All police units move in as the search warrant service – and arrests – begin. PPB image
“This residence had been a significant source of disruption in the neighborhood, generating a high volume of police calls over the past year, and complaints from neighbors,” confirmed a PPB official.
An East Precinct patrol officer teamed with an East NRT member to investigate. They determined that the actual homeowner, facing medical challenges, was not currently living in the house.
A PPB police dog “Canine Unit” comes in, ready to sniff out squatters – one of them hidden in a trailer.
Instead, while the owner was away, the home had been taken over by a number of people involved in criminal activity, including a drug dealer, and an individual posing as a landlord, who was illegally charging other people living on the property. With support from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, an affidavit was prepared to support a search warrant, which was subsequently granted by a judge.
Executing the search warrant, 13 people were confronted, and nine were arrested on various charges and outstanding warrants.
The search resulted in the recovery of:
– 1 illegally possessed firearm
– 22 grams of methamphetamine
– 13 grams of fentanyl
– 1 gram of cocaine
– $1,440 in seized currency
– 1 recovered stolen motorcycle
– A significant amount of ammunition
– Evidence of identity theft, fraud, and narcotics distribution
Officials say that this stolen Fusion Firearms XP pistol was seized during the raid. PPB image
This is one of the nine individuals being arrested. PPB image
Arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center were:
Tyler Dean Roberts, age 32 – Seven (7) Felonies – Burglary in the First Degree, Attempted Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, Attempted Unlawful Manufacture/ Delivery of Drugs Schedule II, Unlawful Possession of Drugs Schedule II – Felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine – Felony – 10+ Grams Commercial. Release Date: 04/30/2025; Release Reason: Court Release on Own Recognizance
Melissa Ann Sponsler, 44 – Burglary in the First Degree. Release Date: 04/30/2025; Release Reason: Court Release on Own Recognizance
Michael Chene, 38, Warrant – Failure to Appear – Theft in the Second Degree/PCS – Clackamas County
Charles Bernard Gainer, 32 – Fifteen (15) Felony charges Burglary in the First Degree, Identity Theft (14 counts) Release Date: 04/30/2025; Release Reason: Court Release on Own Recognizance
Erin Leeann Weber, 43, Warrant – Failure to Appear Theft in the Second Degree – Clackamas County, Warrant – Failure to Appear UUMV – Multnomah County HOLD. Upon being taken into custody, Weber claimed to have swallowed narcotics. As a result, officers were required to maintain observation for six hours, including accompanying Weber during an ambulance transport to the hospital, where she was medically evaluated and released. Prior to arrest, Weber was located hiding under a piece of particle board beneath a mattress inside a trailer for three hours. She’s being held in the MCDC lieu of $25,000 bail at the MCDC on the County Hold.
Rita Silonsochilt, 31, Warrant – Failure to Appear Larceny – Clackamas County ) Release Date: 04/29/2025; Release Reason: Court Release on Own Recognizance
Charles Christopher Kelly, 47, Burglary in the First Degree ) Release Date: 04/30/2025; Release Reason: Court Release on Own Recognizance
Kethleen Lynn Conklin, 29, Warrant – Failure to Appear, Possession of a Controlled Substance II – Released to Washington County Jail
Destinee Alexis Davidson, 27, Warrant – Failure to Appear Theft in the Second Degree- Marion County, Warrant – Failure to Appear Theft in the First Degree – Marion County, Warrant – Failure to Appear Attempt Assault in the Fourth Degree/Harassment – Clackamas County Released to Clackamas County Jail
The day after the police action, this house is boarded up “By Police Order” – and neighbors say they hope it stays that way …
“Once the residence was cleared, the house was secured,” the PPB spokesperson said. “PPB is working with the property owner’s family and care team to regain control of the residence, and ensure the safety of the surrounding neighborhood.”
With so many of those squatting in the house having been released by a kindly judge on the day after they were arrested – “on their own recognizance” – neighbors say they can only hope the house stays secured.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News.
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