The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald & News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insurance.
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Klamath Basin Weather
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Overnight, cloudy with a low around 22 degrees.
Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 39.
Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Overnight, a 10% chance of snow, low of 25. Snow level 4700 feet lowering to 4200 feet after midnight.
Sunday A slight chance of snow before 10am, then a slight chance of rain. Snow level rising to 6600 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Monday A chance of rain after 4pm. Snow level 5000 feet rising to 5600 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.
See Road Camera Views:
Lake of the Woods
Doak Mtn.
Hiway 97 at Chemult
Hiway 140 at Bly
Hiway 97 at GreenSprings Dr.
Hiway 97 at LaPine
Today’s Headlines
Klamath County Public Health (KCPH) officials reported 39 new cases of COVID-19 and one death on Wednesday. The local case count is 1,474. Total deaths are 13. This week’s count is 89.
The deceased was a 78-year-old man who died at his residence. He had underlying conditions. Jackson County Public Health reported two more deaths attributed to coronavirus on Wednesday, in addition to 64 new cases of the virus.
COVID-19 vaccine has reached Oregon and is first being distributed to hospital and Tribal health systems. KCPH has created a webpage to provide information as it becomes available. Individuals may also send an email to KCPH@klamathcounty.org to subscribe to email vaccine updates.
Like most of the state, Klamath County is experiencing a surge in cases. A revised approach to contact investigations and close contact follow up is part of a statewide plan developed in response to the statewide growth in cases.
Oregon announced Tuesday a record high of 54 coronavirus deaths, bringing the state’s death toll to 1,214 people.
The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (31), Clackamas (166), Clatsop (7), Columbia (5), Coos (11), Crook (4), Curry (3), Deschutes (50), Douglas (16), Gilliam (2), Harney (4), Hood River (16), Jackson (64), Jefferson (29), Josephine (29), Klamath (39), Lake (2), Lane (105), Lincoln (5), Linn (51), Malheur (16), Marion (183), Morrow (8), Multnomah (455), Polk (30), Sherman (2), Tillamook (12), Umatilla (34), Union (9), Wallowa (1), Wasco (4), Washington (148) and Yamhill (33).
Oregon hospitals administered the first coronavirus vaccines in the state Wednesday to nurses, respiratory therapists, housekeeping workers and other health care employees in high-risk jobs, marking the beginning of a broad vaccination campaign in a state that’s seen more than 1,200 COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began.
Those vaccinated during the coordinated event — streamed live over the internet — were from Legacy Health System and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and Saint Alphonsus Medical Center on the Oregon-Idaho border. Vaccine shipments to other hospitals, including Salem Hospital, will continue to arrive this week.
The Oregon Health Authority has said it will receive 35,100 initial doses of the Pfizer vaccine that has been approved by federal and Western state authorities. Another vaccine made by Moderna is expected to receive federal approval soon and Oregon officials estimate there will enough of the two vaccines to initially inoculate about 100,000 people statewide.
Klamath Falls has become the first certified Blue Zones community in the Pacific Northwest, culminating a multi-year effort to improve healthy lifestyles.
Healthy Klamath, Sky Lakes Medical Center, Sharecare, Inc. and Blue Zones, LLC achieved the certified Blue Zones Community status, which recognizes Klamath Falls’ community well-being transformation through successful implementation of the Blue Zones Project by Sharecare, a first-of-its-kind population health program that brings evidence-based best practices in built environment, policy, and social networks to participating cities.
Brought to Oregon through an innovative sponsorship by Cambia Health Foundation in collaboration with Sharecare and Blue Zones, the local Blue Zones Project initiative encourages all Oregon communities to optimize their surroundings to make the healthy choice the easy choice. The project is a privately led, publicly endorsed initiative intended to inspire community members to improve their well-being.
Cambia Health Foundation, Sky Lakes Medical Center, Cascade Health Alliance, the City of Klamath Falls, and Klamath County provided financial backing to support the project in Klamath Falls.
A 44-year-old Klamath Falls man is being held on several hundred thousand dollars bail in the Klamath County Jail.
Robert Cross Evans is being held on a total of 13 charges which include rape, incest, third degree sexual abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was booked Tuesday morning into the jail by Klamath County Sheriff’s officers. No further information regarding the case was immediately available.
Klamath County Circuit Court Judge Alycia Kersey on Tuesday postponed a plea change hearing for Klamath Falls cremation business owner Maximillian Bodzin to February.
Bodzin was arrested Dec. 19, 2019 on seven counts of theft and abuse of a corpse and was held on $100,000 bail, prior to being released on his own recognizance in March. Following investigations by Klamath Falls Police Department and Klamath County Medical Examiner John Dougherty, it was discovered that Bodzin stored seven bodies in a cooler in his business, located on East Main Street in 2019, instead of having them cremated, according to a previous Herald & News story.
Bodzin’s attorney, Joshua Guest, asked the court for more time for Bodzin to fundraise to repay the seven families, after Bodzin allegedly failed to provide the cremation services for which they paid him as owner of Klamath Falls-based Affordable Cremation Care. Payments for cremation services range from $1,000 to just more than $3,700, according to court documents and statements.
The weight room at Lost River Junior/Senior High School has received a facelift and new equipment with the help of a $10,000 grant from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Katey Limb, physical education teacher at Lost River, was awarded the grant last spring, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic the new equipment and supplies did not arrive until late November.
The grant, along with funds from Donor’s Choose, helped purchase new weight bars, two flat screen TVs, 36 kettlebells, 10 jump ropes, two battle ropes, six sets of spike ball, resistance bands, 16 wall balls, and two new storage systems. Still to come are bumper plates.
The space also was repainted and redecorated, adding to the more professional atmosphere. Lost River students assisted with cleaning and painting, taking ownership of the space. Lost River has been working on updating its weight room equipment since 2016 when a former principal purchased two power racks. Four more power racks were added in 2018-19. Community members, businesses, and organizations have assisted with the updates, donating time, resources, monetary donations, and skills.
Around the state of Oregon
Small businesses in Oregon are getting additional tax relief if they’re affected by the pandemic.
Governor Kate Brown says penalties are being waved on 2019 income tax and interest is being waived on 2019 income tax for businesses with less than five-million dollars in gross receipts. Three-year payment plans are available to businesses that can’t pay their taxes now.
Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.0% in November from 6.8%, as revised, in October. This put Oregon’s rate below the U.S. unemployment rate which dropped to 6.7% in November from 6.9% in October.
“On Nov. 18th, Oregon implemented a ‘freeze’ to combat the rise of COVID-19 in the state. This employment press release covers Oregon’s employment situation just prior to the ongoing freeze, which has affected employers and tens of thousands of workers in recent weeks,” said Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist with the Oregon Employment Department.
Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,200 jobs in November, following a revised gain of 9,800 jobs in October. Oregon employers added jobs in each of the past seven months, and the state has recovered 46% of the jobs cut in March and April. Over the past five months the rate of job growth slowed. Monthly growth averaged 9,600 jobs in September and October, while more rapid gains averaging 17,000 per month occurred in July and August.
Over-the-month job gains in November were largest in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+3,100 jobs); professional and business services (+2,600); manufacturing (+1,700); and health care and social assistance (+1,500). Monthly losses were concentrated in construction (-2,300 jobs); government (-1,800); and retail trade (-1,100).
Leisure and hospitality added 300 jobs in November, following a revised gain of 3,300 in October. However, these gains recovered only a fraction of the 110,500 jobs cut in March and April. The industry—which is includes restaurants, bars, motels, and arts, entertainment, and recreation employers—has been the hardest hit industry due to the pandemic. In November, it employed 161,300 in Oregon, nearly 25% fewer than in November 2019 when it employed 214,900.
Oregon property owners affected by September’s wildfires must provide specific cleanup needs to help crews plan and schedule upcoming work.
Those participating in the Oregon Wildfire Recovery Debris Management Task Force Step 2 cleanup need to complete a questionnaire asking for property specific information including how many buildings were on the property, the number of burned vehicles and the locations of underground tanks and foundations. Property owners should watch for a letter or email from the task force with details on how to access the questionnaire and should complete it as soon as possible. The letter and questionnaire are available in alternate format and multiple languages.
If someone is not able to complete the questionnaire online at wildfire.oregon.gov/cleanup, they can call the wildfire hotline at 503-934-1700.
Weekly report shows decline in daily cases
OHA’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows a drop in weekly cases, deaths and people hospitalized for COVID-19. Here are some key numbers:
- OHA reported 9,222 new daily cases during the week of Monday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 13, an 11% decrease from the previous week, reversing a trend of seven consecutive record high weekly case counts.
- There were 491 people hospitalized for COVID-19, a slight decline from the previous week.
- There were 116 reported COVID-19 reported deaths, down from 133 the previous week.
- People age 20 to 49 have accounted for 55% of the cases, while people 70 and older have accounted for 76% of the deaths.
- There were fewer tests for COVID-19 reported for the week of Dec. 6 through Dec. 12. The number of COVID-19 tests administered to Oregonians dropped to 149,243 from 170,964 the previous week. The percentage of positive tests was lower, at 7.4%.
The OHA Outbreak Report publishes data on COVID-19 cases and deaths in care facilities; senior living facilities and congregate care settings and on active and resolved COVID-19 outbreaks.
State’s first COVID-19 Vaccines Given to Health Care Workers
COVID-19 immunizations with the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began yesterday in Oregon, kicking off a statewide effort that could see thousands of health care workers getting first doses by week’s end.
The state is expected to receive 35,100 doses this week, according to the Oregon Health Authority Immunization Program, citing federal allocation estimates. The first shipments from that batch arrived Monday and Tuesday, when four health systems — Legacy Health, Oregon Health & Science University and Kaiser Permanente and Saint Alphonsus — received a total of 4,875 doses.
Hospital staff at OHSU, Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario, and at Legacy Health’s Holladay Park and Meridian Park sites started getting vaccinated today; Kaiser expects to begin its vaccinations on Friday.
Of this week’s federal vaccine allotment, 10,725 doses are being sent to pharmacies serving skilled nursing facilities as part of a federal partnership with CVS, Walgreens and Consonus Healthcare to offer on-site, no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to staff and residents of more than 680 long term care facilities in Oregon. Their vaccinations are set to begin sometime next week, and will begin with skilled nursing facilities, but eventually will be used to vaccinate in a variety of congregate care settings, including a handful of facilities caring for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In all, between 300,000 and 400,000 health care workers, and long-term care facility staff and residents in Oregon are slated for vaccination against COVID-19 during the first phase of the state’s vaccination distribution effort.
The remaining 19,500 doses from this week’s batch will be distributed to health facilities around the state over the next several days.
More Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine deliveries are scheduled the weeks of Dec. 20 and Dec. 27, when allocations of 25,350 and 48,750, respectively, are expected to arrive in Oregon.
The allocation of 25,350 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech now scheduled to arrive in Oregon the week of Dec. 20 is a reduction from the original amount of 40,950 Oregon was previously scheduled to have allocated during that week. Federal officials notified the state about the change today.
A COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna Inc., which is expected to receive FDA emergency use authorization within days, also are scheduled for delivery in the state before the end of the month — 71,900 doses the week of Dec. 20 and 31,700 doses the week of Dec. 27. These allocation numbers are provided to states by the CDC for planning purposes, but are subject to change.
If estimated allocations for Oregon are received, state health officials expect health systems will have a sufficient amount of vaccine to provide first doses to more than 100,000 health care workers and long term care facility residents by the end of the month.
Speaking during a news conference with Gov. Kate Brown and representatives from the health facilities that received vaccine deliveries this week, OHA Director Patrick Allen said: “On Feb. 28, 2020 — 292 days ago — the world changed for all of us. That was the day the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Oregon,” Allen said. “Today the world has changed again. Today we’ve seen the first COVID-19 vaccinations in Oregon. I want every Oregonian to know: COVID-19 vaccination is the safest, most effective and most reliable way to keep yourself, your family and your community healthy and safe from COVID-19.”
Director Allen also clarified his comments at the news conference: “Earlier today, I was imprecise in describing the number of doses currently on the ground in Oregon. I’m also afraid my comments about the speed at which health care workers would receive second doses was confusing. I take responsibility for my inaccuracy. As we move forward, it’s vital that the Oregon Health Authority is fully transparent, accurate, reliable and consistent in all aspects of our vaccination program, especially our data. I pledge that I will do better.”
Asante Matches Up to $5,000 in Cash Donations
The 20th annual ACCESS Food and Fund Drive holiday light display at Greystone Court begins Monday, December 21st and continues through Christmas Eve. The event runs each night from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
The residents of Greystone Court will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items and cash donations for the ACCESS food bank to help those struggling with hunger in Jackson County. Greystone Court is located off North Phoenix Road in east Medford.
During these four nights, Asante will generously match up to $5,000 of donations collected from the community. Every dollar donated can provide four meals. ACCESS also accepts secure donations online at www.accesshelps.org or Text-to-Give by texting “Greystone” to 44-321.
“This is such a wonderful event that brings holiday spirit and so much joy to the community while at the same time helping thousands of hungry families during the holiday season,” says ACCESS Development Director Kellie Battaglia. “We are so grateful to the Greystone Court neighbors for hosting this event every year and for their long-time support.”
In its 20th year, the Greystone Court Food and Fund Drive has provided close to 1.4 million meals to help those struggling with food insecurity. Each year, more than 4,000 cars will drive through the cul-de-sac during the four days.
(Salem) – The State of Oregon has reached an agreement with several health insurance companies to continue providing expanded telehealth options through at least June 30, 2021.
The agreement follows guidance issued by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon Health Authority in late March requiring health insurance plans to provide in-network coverage for multiple telehealth platforms.
In June 2020, the state reached agreement with health insurance companies to continue providing expanded telehealth options, including payment to providers at the same rate as an in-person visit, through Dec. 31. This new agreement means health insurance companies will continue to provide coverage for expanded telehealth services and pay for these services at the rates they established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is vital for Oregonians to continue to use telehealth services to limit physical contact during this public health emergency,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner and Department of Consumer and Business Services Director Andrew Stolfi. “Telehealth allows for Oregonians to get important care, often from the comfort of their home. I want to thank the insurance carriers that have joined us in this agreement to provide expanded telehealth services and pay parity for Oregonians.”
Overdose Deaths Accelerating During COVID-19
Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While overdose deaths were already increasing in the months preceding the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.
“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “As we continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from unintended consequences.”
Synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths, increasing 38.4 percent from the 12-month period leading up to June 2019 compared with the 12-month period leading up to May 2020. During this time period:
- 37 of the 38 U.S. jurisdictions with available synthetic opioid data reported increases in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths.
- 18 of these jurisdictions reported increases greater than 50 percent.
- 10 western states reported over a 98 percent increase in synthetic opioid-involved deaths.
Overdose deaths involving cocaine also increased by 26.5 percent. Based upon earlier research, these deaths are likely linked to co-use or contamination of cocaine with illicitly manufactured fentanyl or heroin. Overdose deaths involving psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine, increased by 34.8 percent. The number of deaths involving psychostimulants now exceeds the number of cocaine-involved deaths.
“The increase in overdose deaths is concerning.” said Deb Houry, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “CDC’s Injury Center continues to help and support communities responding to the evolving overdose crisis. Our priority is to do everything we can to equip people on the ground to save lives in their communities.”
CDC recommendations
The increase in overdose deaths highlights the need for essential services to remain accessible for people most at risk of overdose and the need to expand prevention and response activities. CDC issued a health advisory today to medical and public health professionals, first responders, harm reduction organizations, and other community partners recommending the following actions as appropriate based on local needs and characteristics:
- Expand distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education.
- Expand awareness about and access to and availability of treatment for substance use disorders.
- Intervene early with individuals at highest risk for overdose.
- Improve detection of overdose outbreaks to facilitate more effective response.
Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho wins lawsuit in Lake County
After a 6-month court battle, Oregon state judge David M. Vandenberg ruled November 18 that the ballot initiative submitted by Move Oregon’s Border “met the basic constitutional standard.” Lake County Clerk Stacie Geaney on December 11 cleared the campaign to begin collecting signatures. Oregon counties generally allow collection of signatures as long as 24 months, but Move Oregon’s Border hopes to meet the February 17 deadline to put their initiative on the May 2021 local election ballot. The initiative has been posted on the group’s website, greateridaho.org .
Move Oregon’s Border continues to collect signatures for the May 2021 local elections in 11 other rural Oregon counties where county clerks had already approved signature collection.
Mike McCarter, President of Move Oregon’s Border said, “Kate Brown’s proposal to close a state prison in Lake County is an insult because Lake County already gets less than its share of state spending according to the study we did for Lake County commissioners. Our study showed that counties of the same population density and per capita personal income in Idaho get more money from their state than Lake County’s government does, even though Idaho’s overall tax rates are lower than Oregon’s. Cutting this prison will ensure that Lake County votes to join Idaho.”
“Kate Brown’s proposal to close the state prison in Coos Bay is part of an unacceptable pattern of favoring urban Oregon over rural Oregon. State government didn’t fight like Idaho would for the timber industry that this port served. State government approved investments in ports in Portland that compete with Coos Bay, but refuses to approve the Jordan Cove project in Coos Bay as Idaho would. Multnomah’s average income is way higher than the average income in Coos.”
He added, “The lockdown has affected the whole state, but we saw Oregon give COVID relief to urban Oregon instead of rural Oregon. Rural Oregon is unrepresented in the Democratic caucuses in the Oregon House and Senate. Since state leadership doesn’t consult Republicans, rural interests are completely ignored when it comes time to apportion state spending around the state. This state will split one way or another because the state protects Antifa arsonists, not normal Oregonians, it prioritizes one race above another for vaccines and program money and in the school curriculum, and it prioritizes Willamette Valley above rural Oregon. ”
Mike McCarter responded to the President of the Oregon Senate’s recent remarks about greater Idaho by stating, “Divisions in Oregon are getting dangerous, so we see the relocation of the border as a way to keep the peace. It’s not divisive. Oregon and Idaho are already divided by a state line. The problem is that the location of the state line was decided 161 years ago and is now outdated. Its current location doesn’t match the cultural divide in Oregon. The Oregon/Washington border was updated in 1958. The Oregon/Idaho border was not.” Senator Courtney’s remarks are here: https://katu.com/news/your-voice-your-vote/push-to-move-oregons-border-with-idaho-regroups-after-november-election
When asked why his followers haven’t moved to Idaho, McCarter said “We love our communities. We’re tied into them. It’s just the state government that we can’t stand.”
Mike McCarter,
President, Move Oregon’s Border
Circuit Court case number 20CV16716
Press: for hi-res photos or maps, reply to email
For earlier press releases, visit www.GreaterIdaho.org
The main Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/GreaterIdaho
To get a petition, one option is to download and print two-sided (turn the page over) from GreaterIdaho.org Another option is to pick up a petition at the businesses listed here: www.facebook.com/groups/GreaterIdaho/permalink/568593160471945
A Portland, Oregon, tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to preparing and filing false and fraudulent tax returns for clients and for herself, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Elizabeth Munoz, 37, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of preparing and filing false income tax returns for clients and to four counts of filing false income tax returns for herself.
According to court documents, from 2015 to 2018, Munoz operated a federal and state income tax return preparation business from her home in Southeast Portland. Munoz advertised on business cards that she would obtain for her clients the “Biggest Refund Guaranteed.” Munoz allegedly prepared 1,196 false and fraudulent individual income tax returns for about 629 clients, resulting in an approximately $3 million tax loss through fraudulent refunds. The exact tax loss will be determined at Munoz’s sentencing on March 16, 2021.
Munoz’s allegedly used fraudulent tax schedules, tax credits, and filing statuses to carry out the refund fraud. Though Munoz charged her clients up to $150 per tax return, she reported no business income on her own personal income tax returns from 2014 through 2017.
On August 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 25-count indictment charging Munoz with filing false income tax returns and aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.
Each count of conviction carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a one-year term of supervised release. Munoz will also be ordered to pay full restitution to the IRS.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Seth D. Uram, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
A Morrow County, Oregon man with a decades-long criminal history who was on probation following his recent release from federal prison was ordered to return to prison today for illegally possessing a firearm and distributing methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.
Jeremy Michael Carroll, 39, of Boardman, Oregon, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release. Carroll previously pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“Methamphetamine abuse and addiction continues to plague rural communities throughout Oregon and across the country,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “I applaud the Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team and its member agencies for their steadfast work to protect communities in Eastern Oregon from the deadly scourge of illegal drug trafficking. Their hard work saves lives and prevents violent crime.”
“The Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team (BENT) appreciates the working relationship our detectives have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. FBI and U.S. Marshals Service deputation allows our state and local detectives to work seamlessly with federal law enforcement,” said Oregon State Police Lieutenant and BENT Board Chairman Karl Farber. “In this case, federally-deputized BENT detectives from the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and Boardman Police Department worked closely with federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
According to court documents, in July of 2019, BENT detectives were investigating Carroll, a known drug trafficker in Morrow County. During the investigation, officers conducted two separate controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Carroll. In late July, officers obtained and conducted a search warrant on Carroll’s Boardman residence. Inside the residence, officers located a .243 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber revolver, assorted ammunition, 35 grams of methamphetamine, 3 grams of heroin, scales, drug packaging, and drug ledgers.
In August of 2019, investigators learned that Carroll was staying at a hotel in Hermiston, Oregon. Officers surveilled the hotel, located Carroll, and arrested him. A search of Carroll’s hotel room returned a second .22 caliber pistol, a box of .22 caliber long rifle ammunition, a loaded .22 caliber long rifle magazine, brass knuckles, laser sights, scope mounts, and glass smoking pipes, among other items.
Carroll’s criminal history spans two decades with prior convictions for criminal mischief, carrying a concealed weapon, theft, strangulation, resisting arrest, attempted burglary, driving under the influence of intoxicants, felon in possession of a firearm, and felon in possession of a destructive device.
This case was investigated by BENT with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Ashley Cadotte, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
BENT is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force comprised of detectives from the Pendleton Police Department, Hermiston Police Department, Boardman Police Department, Oregon State Police, Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Milton-Freewater Police Department, Umatilla Tribal Police Department.