Deaven Reinoehl, a 22-year-old from Oregon, was sentenced recently following a series of serious crimes that included drug trafficking and leading police on high-speed chases.
Federal prosecutors took the unusual step of assuming control of a two-year-old state case due to the severity of his actions and his troubled background.
During the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio remarked on the profound impact of Reinoehl’s father, Michael, who was shot and killed by police during a violent altercation in September 2020.
Michael Reinoehl, known for his involvement in protests and anti-fascist movements, had a significant influence on his son’s path toward lawlessness, according to the judge.
The younger Reinoehl expressed remorse in court, stating, “I just want to apologize to you and to my family for the mistakes that I’ve made,” as family members watched from the audience.
He acknowledged that his arrest acted as a turning point in his life.
Judge Baggio probed into a letter submitted by Reinoehl, in which he stated, “I wish this didn’t happen but it had to happen.”
In response, Reinoehl explained that he believed the consequences of his actions provided him with a necessary reality check.
Defense attorney C. Renée Manes stressed the importance of the intervention, suggesting that continued criminal behavior could have resulted in severe consequences, including death.
Reinoehl’s troubles primarily stemmed from his father’s violent death and subsequent emotional turmoil.
Manes described the challenges Deaven faced, highlighting how the sudden loss of his father propelled him into a spiral of drug use and criminal behavior to support himself and his younger sister.
Michael Reinoehl was implicated in the fatal shooting of Aaron “Jay” Danielson, a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, which escalated into a highly publicized manhunt.
After Michael’s death, the family received threats and intense scrutiny from social media users, adding to Deaven’s psychological distress.
Baggio noted that Deaven engaged in very risky behavior while grappling with extreme emotional trauma and a lack of support.
In December 2021, police arrested Deaven after finding him navigating icy roads in a Dodge Ram Truck, where they seized 15,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and $1,950 in cash.
At that time, he was already on probation due to a previous incident in which he fled from police in a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 160 mph in California.
In the months following his arrest, he was involved in several additional pursuits, including two more chases in November 2022 and October 2023.
The October chase ended dramatically when he collided with another vehicle after speeding through a crowded parking lot in Portland and subsequently hitting spike strips laid out by police.
After this series of events, U.S. marshals arrested Reinoehl on November 22, 2023, based on a federal indictment for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl stemming from his earlier arrest in Deschutes County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Sax explained the federal government’s rare decision to intervene in this state case, emphasizing the public safety implications surrounding Reinoehl’s continued criminal conduct.
In fact, he noted that Reinoehl was the youngest defendant he had ever prosecuted in such a significant case, highlighting the alarming nature of the situation.
Despite the challenges stemming from his upbringing, Judge Baggio emphasized that Michael Reinoehl exacerbated his son’s difficulties by exposing him to criminality rather than offering guidance and support.
“This is pro criminal guidance … from a person who was supposed to be providing you loving, positive support,” she stated, referencing how Michael’s drug use in their home influenced Deaven’s trajectory.
In a chilling revelation, Baggio pointed out that a significant message from Michael to his son asked him to procure a firearm, which she deemed inappropriate, stating, “That’s not what dads are supposed to do.”
The court also acknowledged a particularly difficult custody battle and the dangerous environments Michael placed his children in during protests.
By the time the federal prosecution began, it was evident that Deaven’s life had spiraled out of control, characterized by dangerous behavior and engagement in drug trafficking.
He admitted to transporting fentanyl from Arizona into Oregon, where he would significantly mark up prices for the illicit drugs.
Judge Baggio noted that, despite the egregious nature of his actions, there had been a transformation in Deaven since his arrest.
Ultimately, she sentenced him to two years and six months in prison, a sentence shorter than the prosecution’s recommendation of three years and 10 months but longer than the defense’s request for two years.
Defense counsel expressed hope that Deaven could serve his sentence in a low-security prison, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation.
Upon the completion of his sentence, Deaven will remain under supervised release, granting him access to transitional housing and necessary mental health and drug treatment.
Baggio concluded by expressing her hopes for his future, stating, “I do wish you well.”
This case not only highlights the challenges presented by a tumultuous upbringing but also underscores the critical need for interventions to prevent young individuals from falling into cycles of criminal behavior.
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