Kotek to Now Extradite Texas Suspect in Eugene Area Burglaries Targeting Asian Families



Eugene, Ore., June 6, 2025 — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has reversed her decision to deny funding for the extradition of a burglary suspect linked to a crime ring targeting Asian American households in Lane County, a move met with relief from the Asian community after weeks of criticism. Two suspects are currently held in Texas: one, under an ICE hold, will remain in federal custody, while the other will be extradited to Oregon with a governor’s warrant in place. Lane County District Attorney Christopher Parosa is in Texas to facilitate the process.

Jensina Hawkins, Chair of the Eugene Police Commission, expressed relief at the decision, stating, “As an Asian American who serves on Police Commission and several other civic organizations, it’s been frustrating to try and ‘trust the process’ when the process has been stonewalled. This change of course from the Governor helps me feel personally reassured that justice exists and Oregonians of AAPI descent do matter.”


The Asian American Council of Oregon welcomed the reversal, stating, “We are grateful that the Governor’s office has heard and taken into account the impact on our Asian American community. We are also grateful for our allies who have spoken up for the inclusion and safety of Asian Americans in Oregon.” The organization added, “We deeply appreciate the hard work of local law enforcement agencies and the Lane County DA’s office who have worked so hard to obtain justice for the victims of these race-targeted offenses. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that Oregon is a safe and welcoming place for all its residents.”

However, the extradition process remains complex. DA Parosa explained, “With regard to your questions about priority of prosecution, a person being held in federal custody will generally grant the federal government primacy in prosecution. Nevertheless, there is a process whereby we can writ a person held in federal custody over to state court. In my experience, the federal government generally allows local charges to be resolved prior to resolution of the federal case. It’s quite a complicated process though.” The suspect under ICE hold faces an uncertain timeline, as federal immigration authorities typically take precedence, potentially delaying or preventing prosecution in Lane County. Authorities have not released the suspects’ names or countries of origin, though court records for others in the same ring identify them as Colombian nationals.


This reversal follows Kotek’s earlier decision to approve the extradition of Elisha Young, a 38-year-old accused of embezzling over $100,000 from the Eugene Weekly. Young was arrested in Ohio on May 6, 2025, but was released three days later after Kotek’s initial denial. A new arrest warrant has been issued, though Ohio authorities have yet to locate her, a process that could take weeks or months depending on her cooperation and whereabouts. Kotek’s office cited “unique circumstances and community concern” for approving Young’s extradition, spurred by community outrage and offers to crowdfund the cost of bringing her back. Young faces five felony charges in Lane County Circuit Court, including two counts of Theft in the First Degree and three counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree.

Meanwhile, another financial crime suspect, Miranda Wilcox, accused of embezzling approximately $560,000 from Homes for Good, a Lane County housing agency, reportedly remains in Texas. Wilcox has a pre-trial conference scheduled for June 18, 2025, but if she fails to appear, Parosa may issue a warrant. Given Kotek’s prior reluctance to approve extraditions outside the Northwest Shuttle Program—comprising Idaho, Montana, and Washington—due to budget constraints, it’s uncertain whether Wilcox will be brought back to Oregon. As of today's indictment, Wilcox faces 27 felony charges in Lane County Circuit Court, including six counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree and 21 counts of Theft in the First Degree.

Kotek’s handling of extraditions has drawn scrutiny, particularly for her initial refusal to fund the burglary suspect’s return, which the Asian American Council of Oregon previously criticized as a failure to prioritize racially motivated crimes. Oregon’s extradition process, governed by the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (ORS 133.747–133.855), often prioritizes higher-level felonies and limits funding to nearby states, a policy Parosa has described as a “severe tightening” of approvals due to budget constraints. Kotek’s proposed 2025-2027 budget includes a new extradition deputy director position to address workload issues, but without increased funding, accountability for both financial and racially motivated crimes remains uncertain.

As Lane County awaits the outcome of the burglary suspect’s extradition, the community continues to grapple with the broader implications of Oregon’s extradition policies. The collaboration between local law enforcement, the DA’s office, and advocacy groups like the Asian American Council of Oregon will be crucial in ensuring justice for victims and addressing systemic challenges in the state’s approach to crime.

Information from The Eugene Weekly, Asian American Council of Oregon, jail records, court records, DA Parosa, and EPD

Young's mugshot from Franklin County Jail - Ohio
Wilcox's picture from her now deleted Linkedin page

Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County, Lane County Mugshots Uncensored, which currently has over 87,000 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

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