According to an email obtained by Pendletonian Times from Pendleton Police Department Chief Charles Byram, retired Officer James “Jim” Schweigart was in charge of a 2004 rape investigation that included an interview with a 16 year old male known as CEH.
According to CEH, Schweigart knew that the victim had been sexually fondled by a 21 year old female who is known in documents as MLC. Schweigart enlisted the help of the victim’s father to scare the minor into cooperating with authorities.
The shooting range that PPD operates is named after Schweigart, also known as “Officer Friendly” because of his gruff exterior. Schweigart died in 2007 after a battle with cancer and had been considering using Oregon’s Death With Dignity law to end his suffering.
CEH recalls that Schweigart told him that he’d known MLC her whole life and could have been a family friend.
CEH is seeking unspecified damages.