Oregon Man Sentenced To 25 Years For ‘Calculated’ Domestic Abuse Of Wife

LINCOLN CITY, OR — A Lincoln City man has been sentenced to more than 25 years in prison after what prosecutors described as a “repeated, calculated pattern of domestic abuse” against his wife, including coercing her into signing a non-disclosure agreement meant to silence her.

Years Of Violence And Control

According to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, 32-year-old Marcus Penza was convicted after a three-day trial, where a jury found him guilty of multiple counts of second-degree assault, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, fourth-degree assault, and witness tampering.

The case began in November 2024, when Penza’s wife arrived at the Lincoln City Police Department with her four young children to report the escalating violence. She told investigators she feared her husband’s growing volatility and warned that he might use his guns against her or others.

Police seized seven firearms from Penza’s home, including the one reportedly used in the assaults.

The NDA Meant To Silence Her

Investigators later discovered that Penza had forced his wife to sign a “non-disclosure agreement”, threatening her with legal action if she reported the abuse. While in jail, Penza even filed a handwritten $2 million lawsuit against her, claiming she violated the NDA by going to police — a move prosecutors said he used to intimidate her into dropping charges.

This act led to the witness tampering charge, one of several counts that added to his lengthy prison sentence.

Judge Calls Abuse ‘One Of The Worst Cases Seen’

During Friday’s sentencing, Judge Sheryl Bachart condemned Penza’s actions, describing the case as one of the most disturbing patterns of manipulation and violence she had witnessed in nearly two decades on the bench.

“The pattern of violence and the level of manipulation and control in this case is something I don’t think I’ve seen before,” Judge Bachart said.
“If she hadn’t had the courage to walk away from you, it would still be going on.”

The judge noted that the abuse was not isolated but a deliberate cycle of control and harm, describing Penza’s behavior as “calculated” and “without any mitigating factors.”

Community Support And Resources

Prosecutors credited the victim’s courage in coming forward and encouraged others experiencing domestic violence to seek help immediately.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or threats, contact:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233
• Lincoln County Victim Assistance Program at (541) 265-4145
• Or reach out to local law enforcement for immediate safety support.

Do you believe Oregon’s current laws provide strong enough protection for victims of domestic violence? Share your thoughts with us at NapervilleLocal.com, where we continue to highlight stories of justice and community safety across the Midwest and beyond.