Salem Gang Leader Sentenced to 10 Years for Selling Guns and Drugs to Undercover Agents
SALEM, Ore. — The leader of a Salem-based gang has been sentenced to prison. Christopher Hermens, 29, of Beaverton, was sentenced in federal court on November 5 to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Hermens pleaded guilty to transferring firearms, and prosecutors identified him as the leader of the 'North 14th Street' (Varrio Catorce) gang based in Salem.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had investigated the gang's Salem-area activity since July 2023. Undercover agents repeatedly bought guns and drugs from Hermens and his associates: five guns and an ounce of cocaine on January 23, 2025; two guns, two pounds of marijuana and 32 grams of fentanyl on February 6; and a coordinated sale of 122 grams of fentanyl on February 27. A search of his home in July 2025 turned up 19 firearms. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson imposed the sentence. Scott Bradford, the U.S. Attorney for Oregon, said Hermens used his gang ties to expand his illegal activity. Hermens also pleaded guilty in state court on October 30, with the state sentence to run concurrently with the federal term.
Source: Salem Statesman Journal
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 俄勒冈州议会大厦（Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0）
