Convicted child sex offender flees after posting bail, co-defendant is trans-identified male

Oregon authorities are on the search for a convicted child sex offender who failed to show up to his sentencing hearing on Thursday after previously posting bail.

A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of 51-year-old Gary Coomer, according to the Linn County Sheriff's Office in Albany.

Coomer has been convicted of first-degree sodomy, first-degree rape, and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of minors. The victims were ages 4 and 8 and both girls. He was found guilty in January.

Despite pleading guilty, Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan said that Coomer had posted bail.

Coomer's co-defendant is transgender activist Alanna Nicole Partin, 41, a trans-identified biological male formerly known as Nicholas Jon Partin.

"The investigation into Coomer started in 2020," said Sheriff Duncan. "It was in conjunction with another co-defendant, Alanna Partin."

Partin was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison in December 2022 after pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The crimes occurred in 2019, according to the Democrat-Herald.

"These little girls will grow up, and they’ve had something stolen from them," said prosecutor Conor McCahill during the sentencing hearing. "They’ve had their innocence ripped away; they’ve had to come to court and testify about things that nobody should have to… But they were very brave and told this court what was done to them."

"The impacts of sexual abuse are long-lasting," added McCahill.

Partin has an extensive criminal record in addition to the sexual abuse charges and had been sentenced to 36 months in prison on a felony weapons charge prior to the new charges.

In January 2019, Partin was convicted of criminal driving while suspended or revoked and three counts of failure to appear in a case. In May 2019, Partin was convicted of felony attempt to elude by vehicle, interfering with a police officer, and criminal driving while suspended or revoked from a case, according to court documents.

Also in May 2019, Partin was convicted of criminal driving while suspended or revoked and resisting arrest in another case. In November 2022, Partin was convicted of strangulation, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, and felony fourth-degree assault, court documents show.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in locating Coomer's whereabouts. Individuals with information can call Detective Scott Tennant at (541) 967-3950 or contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office by calling 541-967-3911.