Thomas E. Pfeifer

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has decided to place inmate Thomas E. Pfeifer on house arrest due to medical reasons, rather than have him serve his 60-day jail sentence.

Pfeifer, 46, John Day, was arrested in July for first-degree burglary and first-degree criminal trespass for breaking into a home near Canyon Creek. He pleaded guilty to the charges last week and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, followed by three years of supervised probation.

Due to his ongoing medical needs, Sheriff Glenn Palmer and Jail Manager Sgt. Josh Wolf implemented the alternative incarceration plan.

Pfeifer underwent surgery for colon cancer in early April, and has since undergone several surgeries due to complications from the cancer. He has undergone treatment at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

“It’s a very rare event that I let anyone out of jail,” Palmer said. “This is one of those rare opportunities. We can try this for a while, and if this does not work he is going back to jail.”

Pfeifer has complied with a previous release agreement while awaiting sentencing. He was placed on a conditional third-party release, released from custody and given a court appearance Aug. 5. He made that court appearance and his release continued.

“Pfeifer was not a problem during the time he was released in August to the time of sentencing, which was roughly two months,” Wolf said.

While on house arrest, Pfeifer is not to be out in the community unless he seeks prior approval from the Sheriff’s Office and confirms medical appointments with jail staff.

He is required to make daily phone calls to the jail. Staff will also make periodic phone calls and unannounced home visits to ensure compliance. Any unanswered phone calls or home visits and the release will be revoked.

“There comes a time when we need to show a little compassion and take into consideration that the staff and resources of the facility cannot meet the need of the inmate, who requires ongoing serious medical treatment,” Palmer said.

Local law enforcement have been alerted to the alternative plan. If Pfeifer is found out of compliance, he would face an additional charge of third-degree escape.

If community members see a violation of the agreement, they are asked to contact the jail at 541-575-1134.