Jesse Lee Calhoun at his arraignment.

THE suspect accused of killing four women in an alleged crime spree over three months has a criminal record that dates back decades, it has emerged. 

Jesse Calhoun already faced three murder charges before being indicted over the death of a fourth woman.

Jesse Lee Calhoun at his arraignment.
Jesse Lee Calhoun has a criminal history dating back decadesCredit: AP
Photo of Kristin Smith.
Kristin Smith was believed to have been killed in November 2022Credit: Portland Police Bureau
Photo of a smiling young woman in a car.
Charity Lynn Perry was one of three women found across April 2023Credit: Facebook / Diana Allen

Calhoun, 40, faces allegations of murdering 22-year-old Kristin Smith, who is thought to have been killed in November 2022. Her remains were only discovered several months afterwards.

But, his criminal record dates back more than 20 years, according to the CBS affiliate KOIN-TV.

In 2003, he was convicted of third-degree assault. 

Calhoun pleaded guilty to an assault charge in May 2008 before being arrested a month later, according to the Baker City Herald. 

He was charged with second-degree kidnapping as well as assault. 

Calhoun pleaded guilty to the assault charge in October of that year.

The kidnapping allegation was dropped as part of a plea agreement. 

But, he was hit with a four-year prison sentence in 2019 after being convicted of burglary.

Calhoun was also convicted after hitting a Portland cop as well as car theft. 

He was also accused of trying to choke a police dog. 

Serial killer fears over five-month murder spree which left at least four women dead – as suspect appears in court

But, he didn’t serve his full sentence. 

While behind bars, Calhoun was part of a prison team that helped tackle the Oregon wildfires in 2020.

He was among 40 prisoners to be given clemency by the then-serving governor, Kate Brown.

Calhoun was supposed to be released from prison in 2022. 

But after he was released from prison, he was caught driving with a revoked or suspended license.

The deaths of the six Portland women

There are six women who were found dead within the span of 10 weeks in a 100 mile radius around Portland, Oregon.

Kristin Smith, 22, was found on February 19, 2023. Calhoun was charged with her murder in August 2025.

Joanna Speaks, 32, was found on April 8. Calhoun was charged with her murder in May 2024.

Charity Perry, 24, was found on April 24. Calhoun was charged with her murder in May 2024.

An unidentified woman was found dead on April 24. Her death has since been ruled not suspicious, and no foul play is suspected.

Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, 31, was found on April 30. Calhoun was charged with her murder in May 2024.

Ashley Real, 22, was found on May 7, 2023. Her death has been ruled “suspicious” and is still under investigation.

Map showing locations where five women were found dead in Washington state.

Rumors about a potential serial killer swirled when it emerged six women under the age of 40 were found dead within three months.

In June 2023, Portland cops rushed to shut down the speculation.

Smith’s remains were found in February 2023.

In April, cops unearthed remains belonging to Joanna Speaks. 

Speaks was found near an abandoned barn in Ridgefield.  

Mom CoLene Vargas said last spoke to her daughter just two weeks before her body was found.

The bodies of Charity Lynn Perry and Bridget Leanne Webster were also found in the same month.

Perry’s body was found in a culvert, while Webster was known to the Portland and Oregon City area.

The remains of Perry, Webster, Smith, and Speaks were found over a 100-mile radius.

‘KILLER’ JAILED

Calhoun was arrested on an unrelated parole warrant in June 2023 before being charged with the murders of Perry, Webster, and Speaks in 2024. 

He was also accused of abusing their bodies. 

Calhoun has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. 

He has been hit with a second-degree murder charge in connection with Smith’s death.

Calhoun refused to comment during his court hearing in Multnomah County on Monday.

But Smith’s mom, Melissa, spoke about the trauma she had experienced since her daughter’s death.

“I have been in such a dark hole for so long, and I have developed medical issues from all of this, and it’s extremely traumatizing even with the little bits I know,” she conveyed to the court.

“It’s awful for a mother to know, it has weighed heavily on me.”

She told how she hadn’t had a proper sleep in years before Calhoun’s indictment.

Calhoun is expected to stand trial in 2027. 

Cops are still probing the death of Ashley Real, whose remains were found in May 2023.

Mugshot of Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster.
Bridget Webster was found in a rural Oregon location – around 50 miles south of PortlandCredit: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Photo of JoAnna Speaks.
Joanna Speaks’ remains were also found in April 2023Credit: gofundme / Ariel Hamby and Robyn Speaks
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