North Douglas Herald
Fire
Continued from Previous Page
had devastating potential if it were not for the quick
suppression by fire crews.
“It would have been a major issue, especially for
anybody who might have been up in that area because
there’s only one ingress, egress out of there,” said Hayes.
“They would have been trapped up there.”
Hayes said the agency takes both arson and illegal
dumping crimes seriously. He urged the public to be
aware that natural resource crimes are subject to both hefty
criminal and financial consequences.
“If you illegal dump on public lands in Lane County,
you will be arrested,” said Hayes.
The ranger also said that any person found guilty of
starting a wildfire, regardless of intent, is responsible for
paying for the damage and suppression costs on top of
serving any criminal sentences.
“If anybody’s having any type of idea or interest in
doing anything that is kind of above the line or clearly
prohibited during this time of year with fire restrictions, do
not do it,” said Hayes.
The arson suspect was arrested on July 12 after officials
said he provided a confession. To report illegal dumping
or any other natural resource crimes, call the Northwest
Oregon BLM office at (541) 683-6600.
Oregon Drug Kingpin
Sentenced to Federal Prison
Eugene, OR — Victor Diaz-Ramirez, the leader of an
international drug trafficking organization operating in
Lane County, Oregon, was sentenced to 135 months
in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. in
Portland Federal Court on Tuesday June 18th. Diaz-
Ramirez was responsible for trafficking large quantities
of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine into the state
between 2018 and 2020.
“While communities across our state continue to
struggle with the ongoing drug crisis, there are criminal
enterprises, like the Diaz-Ramirez drug trafficking
organization, whose sole purpose is to profit from
addiction and suffering. This far-reaching investigation
demonstrates the deep commitment of all involved law
enforcement agencies to combatting drug trafficking
and keeping our communities safe,” said Nathan J.
Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene
and Medford Branch Offices.
“Drug traffickers like Mr. Diaz-Ramirez prey
on our communities by peddling large amounts of
methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, often to our
most vulnerable,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in
Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Seattle Field Division. “I am gratified that the hard work
of DEA, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our many partners
from law enforcement agencies across Oregon led to the
lengthy sentence Mr. Diaz-Ramirez received in this case.
Justice was truly served.”
According to court documents, from at least March
2018 through August 2020, while operating out of
Mexico, Diaz-Ramirez helped lead an international drug
trafficking organization responsible for trafficking large
quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine
from Mexico into the United States. Diaz-Ramirez’s
organization used a network of associates to transport
the drugs from Southern California to Oregon and deliver
them to local distributors in exchange for cash.
As part of this investigation, law enforcement
seized more than 178 pounds of methamphetamine, 12
pounds of heroin, six pounds of fentanyl, 18 rifles, three
rifle optics, and ammunition. Investigators also forfeited
approximately $1.2 million from the organization,
including more than $400,000 in cash. In total, 35
people—including sources of supply in Mexico, couriers,
local cell operators in Lane County, and first and second
level distributors responsible for sales in and around
Eugene—were charged and have been convicted for their
roles in Diaz-Ramirez’s organization.
On Aug. 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene
returned an indictment charging Diaz-Ramirez with
conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On Nov.
1, 2023, Diaz-Ramirez pleaded guilty to a one-count
superseding criminal information charging him
with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal
Investigation (IRS CI), DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals
Service, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police
Department, Lane County Sherriff’s Office, Oregon State
Police, Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team
(LINE), and Douglas Interagency Narcotics Enforcement
Team (DINT). It was prosecuted by Joseph Huynh and
Judi Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of
August 2024
Oregon.
This prosecution is the result of an Organized Crime
Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the
highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs,
and transnational criminal organizations that threaten
the U.S. by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven,
multiagency approach that leverages the strengths of
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against
criminal networks.
Trooper Shoots and Kills
Driver during Traffic Stop
Eugene, OR -- The shooting happened at the interchange
between Beltline Highway and River Avenue around 4:30
p.m. on June 11th. A press release did not specify on which
road the shooting occurred, but a traffic advisory from
the Oregon Department of Transportation on Tuesday
afternoon said the eastbound off ramp from Beltline to
River Avenue was “closed due to police activity.”
Police said the driver did not comply with verbal
commands after obtaining the gun from the passenger
side of the vehicle, at which point an officer initially used
a Taser when the driver reached for the gun, but the Taser
had no effect. The Trooper then fired his weapon. Officials
said emergency medical aid was “immediately provided”
but the driver was declared dead at the scene.
Afterwards, the Lane County District Attorney’s
Office identified the person who died in the shooting as
Timothy Edwards Wells, age 41. No other information
was released. The officer was not identified, but the
press release did specify that it was a male state trooper.
The press release also did not give a reason for the initial
traffic stop.
No officers were injured during the incident and the
shooting has been under investigation by the Lane County
Inter-Agency Deadly Force Investigation Team, with the
Lane County Sheriff’s Office taking the lead role. Lane
County District Attorney Patty Perlow has now ruled the
shooting by the Oregon State Police Trooper during the
traffic stop to be a justified use of deadly force and the
shooting was in self-defense.
Detectives Investigating a
Fatal Shooting in Glide
Glide, OR. - On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, shortly
before 10:30 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received a 9-1-1
call reporting a male had been shot in the 400-block
of Goodreau Lane during a neighborhood dispute.
Bystanders were performing lifesaving efforts on the
individual who had been shot. Deputies responded to the
scene and initially detained the male shooter. The male
who had been shot, 53-year-old Stephen Lynn Foster of
Glide, was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office are investigating
the incident along with the Douglas County Medical
Examiner’s Office. The other party involved, whose
name is being withheld at this time, is cooperating with
law enforcement.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Douglas
County District Attorney’s Office, Glide Rural Fire
Protection District, Umpqua Valley Ambulance and
REACH Air Medical Services. No further information
is being released at this time.
Vehicle vs Pedestrian
Accident Kills Woman
Roseburg, OR -- Monday afternoon, July 8th,
at approximately 3:00 p.m. Roseburg Police
Department and emergency personnel responded to a
report that a pedestrian had been hit by a commercial
motor vehicle and trailer at the intersection of
Southeast Stephens Street and Southeast Douglas
Avenue.
Sergeant Daniel Allen, Roseburg PD
Public Information Officer, said the preliminary
investigation revealed that the commercial vehicle
and trailer, operated by a 35-year-old man, were
stopped at a red light, facing southbound. The driver
proceeded through the crosswalk when his light
turned green. Allen said the vehicles struck a female
who was walking within the crosswalk.
The woman was pronounced deceased at the
scene by the Douglas County Medical Examiner.
She has been identified as 59-year-old Linda Louise
Stafford. Sergeant Allen said the driver was not
injured and is cooperating with law enforcement.
RPD was assisted by Roseburg Fire Department,
the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon
Department of Transportation.
Page 3
Two Vehicles Totaled
After Accident in Roseburg
Roseburg, OR -- A Roseburg Police report said at 2:45
p.m. on July 16th, a 44-year-old woman was traveling
west on Northeast Alameda Street and entered the
intersection with Northeast Stephens Street with the
intention of continuing straight onto Northwest Stewart
Parkway. An 81-year-old woman who was traveling north
on Stephens Street thought she had the green light. The
second vehicle collided with the rear driver’s side of the
first vehicle. Neither party was injured.
The second driver was cited for failure to obey a traffic
control device based on an independent witness statement.
The two vehicles were likely a total loss following the
accident and both were towed from the scene.
Troopers Jail Man after
Incident on I-5
Douglas County, OR -- Troopers with the Oregon
State Police jailed a man following an incident at
the Cabin Creek rest area, at mile post 143 next to
Interstate 5 on Saturday morning, July 13th.
An OSP report said just before 8:30 a.m. 42-year-
old Jason Hall broke into a parked semi-trailer with
a hatchet. Hall was confronted by two truck drivers
and eventually was locked inside the trailer before
breaking out through the roof. The suspect then
accessed his own vehicle and ran over one of the
truck drivers and also striking the semi.
Hall’s vehicle became disabled, and the man
jumped inside the vehicle of a good Samaritan,
where he was eventually caught by law enforcement.
Hall was taken into custody without incident.
The report said the injured truck driver and Hall
were both transported to CHI Mercy Medical Center
with injuries. Hall was charged with multiple crimes
including assault, two counts of unlawful entry
into a motor vehicle, reckless driving and reckless
endangering. He was still at Mercy at last check,
according to OSP, and will be taken to jail once he is
medically cleared.
“Armed and Dangerous”
Homicide Suspect Sought
Cottage Grove, OR -- According to the Lane County
Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old resident Anthony Wesley
Tyrrell was identified as the suspect in the murder of 29-
year-old Rozaleena Faith Rasmussen. The victim was a
missing person before her body was discovered in Cottage
Grove, which is the place of residence for both Tyrrell and
Rasmussen, officials said. There is a nationwide warrant
for Tyrell’s arrest.
“Tyrrell is described as a white male adult with brown
hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds
and standing approximately 5’9” tall,” the sheriff’s office
said in a release. “He was last seen with his head shaved
and wearing a white shirt, black trench coat, black pants,
and black boots.”
Tyrrell is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone
with information about his whereabouts is asked to call
911 and avoid approaching or contacting him. Anyone
with information is encouraged to contact the Lane
County Sheriff’s Office.
Motorcyclist Dies in 101 Crash
Douglas County, OR -- On Saturday, July 6, 2024,
at 1:32 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a
motorcycle crash on Hwy-101, near milepost 207,
in Douglas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a
northbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated
by Johnny Ray Boles (43) of Notus (ID), attempted
to pass in between two northbound vehicles that
were occupying both the A and B lanes of travel. The
Harley Davidson lost control, left the roadway, and
ejected the operator into a guardrail. The operator of
the Harley Davidson (Boles) was declared deceased
at the scene. The highway was not impacted during
the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is
believed to be unsafe passing. OSP was assisted by
Gardner Fire, Douglas County Sheriffs’ Office, and
ODOT.
Please Support
Our Advertisers
CASAD Club - Bake Sale,
Painted Pots & More at TLC
Nursery’s annual “Music in
the Garden”
1849 Ranch Road in Reedsport
August 17th 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Lovely selection of baked goods,
painted pots, garden signs,
cookbooks, t-shirts and more!
Enjoy the peaceful music as you sit
and listen or stroll the garden to find
a plant for your new pot!
CASAD Club - Festival Booths,
Raffles & More at Smith River
Store’s annual “Country Music
Festival”
16334 Lower Smith River Road in Reedsport
August 3rd 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family to enjoy live
music by local band “In Session.”
Order cool drinks with a bbq plate
and all the fixins! CASAD booths
include baked goods, fry bread,
river artistry, gift sales, games with
prizes for young folk, raffles and
even produce from a local farm!