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CLOUDY Temp: 38 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, April 2, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 13, 2003 Role model arrested on assault charges By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune A 19-year-old Medford man hailed as a role model for Hispanic youth was arrested Wednesday after allegedly slashing another local teen with a broken beer bottle in a weekend fight. Ignacio "Junior" Sanchez, an activities coordinator for Kids Unlimited of Southern Oregon, faces charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. Sanchez is accused of using a broken bottle early Sunday to cut the throat, ear and arm of Terry Bartlett, 19, of Medford, said Medford police Detective Ben Miller. Sanchez also allegedly broke three of Bartlett’s teeth in the brawl at an apartment at 749 Spring St., Medford. The victim’s injuries required 30 to 40 stitches, several staples and intricate dentistry to repair, Miller said. Bartlett was treated and released twice — on Sunday and on Wednesday — at Providence Medford Medical Center. The cause of the fight was unclear, Miller said. He did not rule out alcohol or drug use as possible influences. "As far as I can tell, it was an unprovoked attack," he said. News of the incident shocked community members who regarded Sanchez as a local leader among Hispanic youth. The first in his immigrant family to graduate from high school and attend college, he was a former member of a youth advisory council created by Gov. John Kitzhaber. "We have watched him grow with pride," said Stephanie Johnson, principal at Washington Elementary School. "He has been an absolutely fabulous employee." Sanchez has worked for four years for Kids Unlimited, a Medford youth development agency, including time in the Washington Elementary after-school program, director Tom Cole said. "I think Junior definitely was a poster boy for our agency," said Cole, who fired Sanchez Wednesday from his post. Sanchez’ picture appeared on the cover of a brochure for Southern Oregon Drug Awareness a few years ago. "Our experiences with him have been very positive," said SODA Director Stephanie Soares Pump. "Now would certainly be a time for people who’ve been touched by him to rally around him," she said. Cole, who talked to Sanchez Wednesday and encouraged him to turn himself in to police, said he would continue to offer support to the young man and his family. "We’re responsible for being there when kids succeed, but we’re also constantly dealing with kids who are falling," Cole said. "I think it says more about the vulnerability of kids in today’s society and how easy it is even for kids who are role models, how even they can be susceptible to negative things." One lesson Kids Unlimited programs stress is accountability for actions, Cole said. Because second-degree assault is a Class B felony and a Measure 11 crime, Sanchez could face nearly six years in state prison if convicted. The parents of the victim are understandably angered by the incident, Miller said. "If my kid came home with his face laid open and his teeth knocked out, I would be very upset, too." Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S