The police department in Salem, Oregon, and Jeffrey Keniston still haven’t explained a 2021 phone call and text messages between him and Magen Marie Stevens, a Proud Boys supporter with a violent criminal record.
Stevens’ name is not mentioned in a letter the state issued Wednesday explaining why it’s proposing to revoke Keniston’s law enforcement certifications. Her name also doesn’t come up in visible sections of documents related to the former sergeant’s termination from the Salem Police Department. One of those documents, a detailed report on an investigation into accusations his ex-wife, Morgan Williams, made against him, is redacted with several parts blacked out.
Salem police have repeatedly declined to tell me why Keniston was fired.
Williams sent me the documents in June. I then showed them to a Salem police spokesperson, Keniston, and others involved in the investigation. None of them disputed their credibility.
The documents include a December 2022 letter from a Salem police sergeant to Williams in which he says the department found Keniston engaged in “(personal) conduct unbecoming an officer” and had “associations with known criminals.”
Keniston was terminated soon after.
Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) said it then launched a case review of Keniston’s certifications, which allow him to serve in law enforcement.
In May, he was sworn in as an officer with the nearby Aumsville Police Department.
Law enforcement agencies can hire officers who have ongoing professional standards cases, but they have the option to not hire them according to the DPSST. Officers are considered in good standing unless a final order declares otherwise.
“We cannot comment on personnel matters,” Ron Harding, Aumsville’s city administrator, told me in July. “I understand you need to ask the question, but we are simply going to follow the DPSST process in this matter.”
On Wednesday, Rebecca Hannon, a file maintenance specialist with the DPSST, emailed me a Notice of Proposed Revocation.
The document describes allegations that appear to be separate from the ones made by Williams, who was married to Keniston from December 2007 until January 2015.
“I’m not sure what this is about,” she told me after I sent her the DPSST document.
Williams described Keniston’s time as a domestic violence officer as the peak period of their marital problems.
In the notice, DPSST Director Phil Castle says Keniston “does not meet the moral fitness standards required of a public safety professional …”
The document, which describes Keniston as “Respondent,” says in part:
On December 8, 2022, Respondent was discharged for cause from employment with the SPD for intentional conduct performed under the color of office for his personal gain.
The Respondent gained an advantage by using his position as a domestic violence officer and department issued equipment and resources to contact a domestic violence victim he was assigned to follow up with for personal gain, which included sexual contact.
The Respondent’s discharge for cause was also for disregarding his duty to protect vulnerable persons for his own personal interests, untruthfulness during the investigations into his conduct, and a lack of integrity. …
The Respondent’s discharge for cause is substantially related to Respondent’s fitness and ability to perform the duties of a certified Police officer. Respondent’s conduct directly violated the Criminal Justice Code of Ethics and compromised the public’s trust in the public safety profession. The Respondent used his position for personal gain and engaged in a sexual relationship with a victim he was sworn to protect, reflecting an extreme violation of trust, adversely reflecting on the public safety profession. Respondent’s conduct has compromised their integrity and renders them ineffective to serve in public safety.
From the DPSST’s Notice of Proposed Revocation of Certifications and Proposed/Final Order on Default signed by Phil Castle, the agency’s director, on Aug. 31. The document was sent to Jeffrey Keniston on Sept. 6.
Keniston currently has basic, intermediate, advanced, and supervisory police certifications. The DPSST is seeking to permanently revoke all of them, which would bar him from working as a law enforcement officer in Oregon.
The notice, which was sent to Keniston on Wednesday, says he has 20 days to request a hearing to fight the proposal. He can also request a judicial review through Oregon’s Court of Appeals within 60 days if it becomes a final order.
Keniston did not immediately respond to six emails, texts, and social media messages I sent seeking comment about the proposal on Wednesday.
Harding told me Keniston’s status as an Aumsville police officer “is unchanged.”
Hannon said she could not identify the domestic violence survivor described in the DPSST document. She also would not say when and where the described incidents took place, citing public records exemptions asserted by Salem police.
Keniston started his career as an officer at the Stayton Police Department in 1998. He became a Salem officer in 2004.
In April of last year, a DPSST staff member told me, “I didn’t see any indication of past or current professional standards matters involving Keniston in his file.”
I could find no criminal records for Keniston in Oregon.
salem police investigation
On Dec. 5, 2022, Salem Police Department Sgt. Steve Galvin of the professional standards unit sent Williams a letter. In it, he summarized the outcome of a complaint she filed about Keniston’s alleged actions.
It says in part:
I have reviewed reports, interviewed the persons involved, and reviewed cellular phone data.
The following Salem Police Department policies were reviewed, and listed are the findings of your allegations:
RULES OF CONDUCT
II. GENERAL CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Obey the Law – Not Sustained
- Transactions or Associations with Known Criminals – Sustained
- Controlled Substances – Not Sustained
III. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Duty – Not Sustained
POLICY 2.01 PERSONAL CONDUCT
From letter Sgt. Steve Galvin of the Salem Police Department’s professional standards unit sent to Morgan Williams on Dec. 5, 2022.
III. CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER – Sustained
“When the referenced allegations were made by Ms. Williams, the Salem Police Department requested an independent investigation be conducted by the Beaverton Police Department,” Angela Hedrick, a Salem police spokesperson, told me after I sent her the documents in late June. “As with all administrative investigations conducted by the Salem Police Department, a thorough review and analysis of the facts and available evidence guides our determination of findings.”
On Sept. 14, Salem police sent me a letter saying, “The information contained in the Notice of Proposed Revocation of Certifications issued by DPSST is consistent with our conclusions.”
Hedrick said the police investigation was referred to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office for a case review.
Brendan Murphy, a spokesperson for the DA’s office, told me in July, “Our office is not proceeding on criminal charges at this time. We concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove any criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Williams filed her complaint with the Salem Police Department on April 1, 2022, to report alleged wrongdoing she claimed happened during their relationship. She also gave investigators records of text messages between her and her ex-husband.
Williams said she took action after going to therapy and talking about trauma in her life including things that happened between her and Keniston. She said that made her realize she had to “Get it out there and to say something.”
In a redacted report from the Beaverton Police Department, Detective Cynthia Herring describes how she investigated the complaint.
In May 2022, she says Keniston told her he was Williams’ financial and emotional support for years and that was no longer the case.
“Keniston was asked why he thinks Williams is coming forward with this information now,” the report says. “Keniston said he does not think Williams ever pictured her life without having some form of him in it. Keniston said he is now the one setting boundaries with Williams.”
Williams told me Beaverton police declined her request for an unredacted version of the report “because according to them, they have to protect other people’s personal stuff.”
An agency spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny her claims.
Williams said her request for the Salem Police Department’s complete report was turned down due to Keniston’s DPSST investigation. Hedrick told me internal complaint records are exempt from public release.
The letter from Sgt. Galvin to Williams describes her accusations, which Keniston has denied or said he doesn’t recall. It says in part:
You alleged that on your engagement night, there was an argument, and Sergeant Keniston forced you to have sex with him. You also alleged during an incident with your daughter, ——, Sergeant Keniston placed his hand around (her) throat and held her against a wall. …
You further alleged that Sergeant Keniston threatened suicide with a firearm on multiple occasions if you did not comply with his sexual demands. You also alleged that Sergeant Keniston would park and listen via phone to you having sex with a known and convicted felon while on duty at his direction.
Lastly, you alleged Sergeant Keniston was involved sexually with a citizen whom he met during the course of his professional duties and continued to have an ongoing personal and professional relationship.
From letter Sgt. Steve Galvin of the Salem Police Department’s professional standards unit sent to Morgan Williams on Dec. 5, 2022.
The last allegation does not appear to be addressed in visible sections of the redacted Beaverton police report.
Williams explained to me that it stems from a conversation she had with Keniston last year.
“Jeff told me that he and her were intimate, but he wouldn’t do it again because of her Proud Boys relationship,” she said. She wasn’t sure of the woman’s name.
The Salem Police Department, the Beaverton Police Department, and Keniston would neither confirm nor deny her claims.
Regarding the alleged rape, Herring said Keniston told her “I honestly don’t remember” if he and Williams were intimate on the night of their engagement.
“I asked Keniston if he recalled Williams crying or being upset with anything the evening of or the following morning and he said no,” Herring wrote.
Her report says in part:
Williams said she did not feel comfortable being intimate with Keniston that night. Williams said Keniston told her he did not care; it was his right and he was going to take it anyway because he put a ring on it. Williams said she cried and told him, “No,” but he did it anyway. Williams’ eyes welled up with tears and she said, “I just ate it, I took it.”
I asked Williams to tell me what rape means to her. Williams said Keniston is 6’4″, 400 lbs., he is a big guy who lifts heavy weights.
Williams said there was no pinning her hands down, it was his shear body weight of not being able to move and him “Not giving a s***” about her saying no. Williams said, “There was a no and he took it anyway.”
Williams said Keniston raped her vaginally; there were no other sexual acts committed that night. I asked Williams how it ended. Williams said she was told to “Suck it up,” have breakfast the next morning and not to embarrass him. Williams said they never discussed the sexual assault again.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Williams’ daughter, who I’m calling “Theresa” so as not to reveal her real name, spoke with Herring in late April 2022.
Theresa was 13 when the alleged incident described in Galvin’s letter happened, Williams said. Her father was Williams’ husband before Keniston.
“She had a (female) friend over,” Williams told me. “The friend and her were playing with a condom. Jeff found the wrapper in his office, confronted her about it, and when he didn’t get the answer he liked, granted he was in uniform because he came home from work to deal with her, he grabbed her by the throat and held her there. I’m watching, terrified to do anything.”
Nearly a paragraph and a half of the section describing Herring’s interview with Theresa is blacked out in the redacted police report. Parts of Keniston’s interview are blacked out as well. The incident is not mentioned in any visible sections of the document.
But the report describes a tumultuous home life:
(Theresa) said the seven years she lived in Keniston’s house was very “volatile and angry.” (She) said Keniston and Williams would often argue about (Theresa) and what she was doing. (Theresa) said she called the cops 10-15 times as a teenager, but nothing ever happened. …
I asked (Theresa) why she called the police so many times. (Theresa) said there were a few times Williams “flipped out” on her when they got into an argument, so she called the police. (Theresa) told me she has never called the police for anything Keniston did on his own to her. (Theresa) said when she would call police the other times, it would be because Keniston and Williams were yelling at her. (Theresa) said Keniston is a big guy and he would hit and throw things when he would get upset. …
I asked (Theresa) if she ever witnessed any domestic violence incidents between Keniston and Williams. (Theresa) told me they are both to blame for the arguing and fighting in their relationship. I asked (Theresa) if she recalled an incident OSP (Oregon State Police) investigated. (Theresa) told me she has a bad memory due to health issues. (Theresa) told me she thinks she was interviewed by someone about the incident. (Theresa) told me she recalls Keniston possibly shoving her mom. (Theresa) said Williams and Keniston were fighting and Williams told (Theresa) to pack a bag, because they were going to her grandmother’s house. (Theresa) said Keniston was crying and upset she was leaving; Williams was also hysterical and crying. (Theresa) said Keniston did not want Williams to leave the house.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Holly Bolton, a legal compliance specialist with Oregon State Police, said she could find no record of troopers responding to the incident, which Williams said happened in 2007 or 2008.
Bolton explained that they keep incident reports in their database, regardless of whether or not they result in an arrest. However, when searching for specific names, none of the three they searched for came up.
“Jeff threw me to the ground or threw me on the bed and held me down and popped me in the lip,” Williams told me.
Keniston does not address the alleged incident in visible sections of the report.
Herring said he described his relationship with Williams as “normal” with good times and bad times.
Keniston said they would yell at each other when they would get upset. I asked Keniston if there was ever a time when things would become physical and he said no. I asked him if items would be thrown, if people would punch holes in walls. Keniston said there is a mark in his kitchen cabinet, but he cannot remember what caused it. Keniston denied being the one to cause the mark in his cabinet. Keniston said there were times something “flew;” Williams would throw items during arguments.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
When Theresa was 18 Williams was arrested for allegedly menacing her during a domestic incident. In court, she was found not guilty.
(Theresa) said she was standing in front of the television, while her mom was trying to watch it. (Theresa) said her mom kept telling her to get out of the way, (Theresa) kept asking her for gas money. (Theresa) said her mom then pointed a handgun at her and told her to move.
… Williams told me she did not have a gun.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Williams said that she and Theresa got into a heated argument that night but also told me she did not pull a gun on her.
Theresa said she never saw or heard of Keniston threatening suicide, according to Herring.
“Keniston told me he has never threatened self-harm to himself or putting a gun to his head,” the report explains.
But his ex-wife says otherwise.
Williams reported when she did not want to preform sexual acts with other men (Keniston) would become upset and threaten self-harm, putting a gun to his head. …
Williams said she witnessed Keniston physically put a gun to his head at least eight times during their relationship when he threatened to kill himself. Williams told me Keniston used his backup gun that he carried in an ankle holster. I asked Williams if her daughter ever witnessed Keniston holding a gun to his head and she told me no.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Herring says Keniston declined to talk about him encouraging Williams to meet men online.
Oregon’s Department of Corrections says Williams worked for the agency from July 9 through Oct. 4, 2007, as a correctional officer.
“She was removed from trial service,” Jennifer Black, an ODOC spokesperson, told me in June.
Williams said Keniston felt it would be a great avenue for her to find “men to f***,” prisoners.
She said she began a relationship with one inmate, who I’m calling “Nathan” so as not to reveal his real name.
Williams told me she would have sex with (Nathan) at the halfway house on “D” street all at the direction of Jeff. Williams told me (Nathan) had his own room, guests did not have to check in. I asked Williams how many times this happened. Williams said this occurred multiple times in 2007 while Keniston was working graveyard shift. Williams said Keniston would sit in parking lot of halfway house in his patrol car and listen to them having sex; (Nathan) did not know Keniston was listening to them having sex.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Herring says she told Keniston that Williams talked about meeting Nathan while she was a corrections officer.
I asked Keniston if that name sounded familiar to him and he said, “Vaguely.” I told Keniston that Williams talked about hooking up with (Nathan) at the “D” St halfway house. I asked Keniston if he recalled having a conversation with Williams about (Nathan) at the “D” St sober house and he said if they did, he does not remember. I asked Keniston if Williams told him she was sexually active with (Nathan) and he said, “I don’t remember.”
I asked Keniston if there was ever a time while he was on duty in his patrol car, Williams called him and allowed him to listen to her having sexual intercourse with (Nathan) while at the “D” St residence. Keniston said he “Whole heartedly deny” that ever happening.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Visible sections of the report make no mention of Herring attempting to talk with Nathan. A Beaverton police spokesperson did not immediately respond to emails about whether she did.
Multiple text messages I sent to cell phone numbers listed for Nathan in court records went unanswered as did a letter I sent to an address listed under his full legal name.
Herring says Williams told her for a while she and Keniston spent every weekend at a swinger’s club in Portland. She said she would have sexual intercourse with other people in private rooms while Keniston watched them.
Williams told me there was never any threats of harm made to her if she did not engage in these activities. Williams said it was more like “Emotional terrorism” if she did not participate. Williams said Keniston would be quiet, he would slam doors, hit doors, put holes in walls, I’m upset this did not happen, I’m putting a gun to my head. …
I asked Williams what prompted her to bring this information forward to Salem Police Department. Williams said she takes accountability for what she did in her marriage. I asked Williams to explain what she was taking accountability for and she said going along with things she did not really want to do, she should have never done it and walked away. Williams said she will not take accountability for the things Keniston has done, that is his “Cross to bear.” Williams told me if nothing comes of this, she does not care, because she got it out there and she feels better.
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Williams said she and Keniston remained friends right up until she filed her complaint.
The following is a thread of text messages between them that’s included in Herring’s report:
June 14, 2021
Keniston: I had to go to a disturbance at the D St. house
Keniston: It was funny to be standing in there
Williams. (Nathan)’s house?
Keniston: Yep
Williams: WOW! Sh***y house
Keniston: I was in there thinking….this is where Morgan pulled off her sneakiest s***Williams: LMAO!
Keniston: You deserve an award!!Williams: I don’t know about that
Keniston: You would get off work, meet your hubby while you ate dinner, then go f*** your boyfriend without him knowing
Keniston: That’s gangster
Williams: BAHAHAHA
Keniston: And to tell me it happened more than once
Williams: I know I know I’m bad
Keniston: With me patrolling that area!!!
Williams: And you never saw my rig
Keniston: I KNOW!! How the f***?
Williams: Real observant
Keniston: Shut it
Williams: Lol
Keniston: You said you went there a couple nights a week right???
Williams: Yup
Keniston: Geezus…what would you have said if I would’ve seen your rig and texted you?
Williams: Hi!
Williams: Getting some
Williams: LMAO
Keniston: WOE
Keniston: *WOW
Keniston: GANGSTER
Williams: LMFAO!!
Keniston: Did you really go in there with your DOC uniform on?
Williams: Absolutely
Keniston: How the f*** nobody complained, I’ll never know
Williams: They enjoyed the f***ing noise
Keniston: LOL!!!!!
Keniston: Loud were you?
Williams: You know I am
Keniston: True…but figured you might have elevated it there
Keniston: And if I’m a parolee….! don’t want to hear some other dude getting it….figure some dude would ruin it out of spite
Williams: Really? I didn’t need to elevate it. No everyone left him alone
Keniston: Lol…. “didn’t need”
Keniston: Oh gawd….noise compliant….! respond
Keniston: LOL
Williams: Now that would have sucked
Keniston: I would have told you to move your car and bite a pillow
Keniston: (goofy emoji)
Williams: Of course!
Keniston: your DOC shirt to (Nathan) must have been a school girl skirt to me
Williams: Hahahahahah
Keniston: The house is nicer now fyi
Keniston: LOL
Williams: Really? Nice giving those convoys hope
Keniston: I cant believe I went in there when he first move in… when we took him my Playstation
Williams: ConvictsWilliams: Right?
From Beaverton Police Detective Cynthia Herring’s redacted report on her investigation into Morgan Williams’ 2022 complaint against Jeffrey Keniston.
Keniston: You is one thing…..I know they knew me!!! LOL
Keniston: And they put us together
Keniston: Oops
Williams: Yes they did
Keniston: LOI__ you had probably been there already once so they felt bad for me like I didn’t know
Williams: But really had the best of both worlds a cop and a convict
Keniston: OMG you did…what book you could write…from a Salem PD Xmas party to Super 8
Keniston: The angel and the bad boy
Williams: Angel? You?
Keniston: Yes!!
Keniston: LOL
Williams: Remember who wanted that lifestyle
Keniston: I mean in society’s eyes as far as profession
Keniston: Yeah, yeah
Keniston: I was never gonna push it though!!!
Keniston: You seemed interested!!
Williams: Oh honey the secret is out. We all know your dirty boys
Keniston: I was never going to ask you to do anything!
Williams: It’s ok calm down… I willingly agreed
Keniston: Our first time was Ruth Chris dinner, then Ace of Hearts and you giving me a bj and asking if some dude could join in
Keniston: Lol…I’m just flicking you crap
Williams: Ok good
Keniston has not responded to numerous messages I’ve sent seeking comment on the reports cited in this article and other matters.
Hannon said on Sept. 26 Keniston requested a hearing, though there’s no word yet on when it will be held.
