- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
La Grande Today
By the People, for the People
Camp Riverbend Escapee Sentenced to Life for Medford Murder
Jesus Armando Pena Jr. convicted of second-degree murder for killing a Medford transient in 2024
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Jesus Armando Pena Jr., 20, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the 2024 murder of Justin William Keaton in Medford, Oregon. Pena had escaped from the Oregon Youth Authority's Camp Riverbend facility in La Grande in 2023 and was on the run for nearly two months before being captured by police.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing challenges with juvenile justice and rehabilitation, as well as the risks posed by escaped inmates. Pena had a long history of violent offenses as a juvenile, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Oregon Youth Authority's programs. The murder also occurred in a public setting, sparking concerns about public safety.
The details
In January 2024, Pena shot and killed Keaton, a 51-year-old Medford transient, at a local laundromat. Surveillance footage showed Keaton bending down to pick up laundry that had fallen out of a dryer Pena was using, at which point Pena opened fire, shooting Keaton 12 times. Pena's defense argued self-defense, but the judge ruled this was not plausible given the evidence. Pena was convicted of second-degree murder.
- On January 27, 2024, police responded to a report of shots fired at a Medford laundromat, where they found Keaton dead.
- On February 13, 2026, Pena was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
The players
Jesus Armando Pena Jr.
A 20-year-old who was convicted of second-degree murder for killing Justin William Keaton in 2024. Pena had escaped from the Oregon Youth Authority's Camp Riverbend facility in 2023.
Justin William Keaton
A 51-year-old Medford transient who was shot and killed by Pena at a local laundromat in 2024. Keaton had a long criminal record and struggled with mental health issues and addiction.
Christine Herbert
The Jackson County Circuit Court judge who sentenced Pena to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Patrick Green
The Jackson County District Attorney who prosecuted the case against Pena.
Alyssa Bartholomew
The court-appointed counsel who represented Pena.
What’s next
The judge's decision on Pena's eligibility for parole after 25 years will be an important next step in this case.
The takeaway
This tragic case highlights the ongoing challenges in the juvenile justice system, the need for better rehabilitation programs, and the risks posed by escaped inmates. It also raises concerns about public safety and the ability of the criminal justice system to protect vulnerable members of the community.
