Jackson Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Train Crashes Into Truck Abandoned On Tracks Outside Gold Hill, Suspects Arrested (Photo) -02/17/25

JCSO Case 25-0862

 

GOLD HILL, Ore. - A train hit an unoccupied truck abandoned on the tracks in rural Gold Hill this morning. On February 17 at approximately 9:25 AM, ECSO Dispatch received a report of a train striking a truck parked on the tracks. The truck accessed the tracks from a dirt road approximately one mile off of Gold Ray Road. There were no injuries reported and no one associated with the truck was on scene.

 

Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) deputies responded to investigate and identified multiple suspects. Kenneth Luedtke, 45, and Caroline Allen, 78, both of White City, were cited for first-degree trespass, first-degree criminal mischief, and reckless endangering. Allen was also charged with driving while suspended. 

 

Railroad employees are investigating the incident and identifying potential damages to the train and tracks. There is no further information available for release at this time.

Local High School Teacher/Coach Arrested For Sex Abuse Of Student -02/14/25

Correction: the name of the school is Rogue River Junior-Senior High School not Rogue River Middle-High School 

 

JCSO Case 25-0799

 

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) deputies arrested a local teacher today after an investigation into sex abuse of a former student. The suspect, Jesse Rex Orndoff, 30, of Selma, Ore., is charged with 10 counts each of second-degree sex abuse, third-degree rape, and third-degree sodomy. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. 

 

On Thursday, February 13th, a woman reported she was the victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by her teacher and coach, Orndoff, while she was a student and he was employed at the Rogue River Junior Senior High School. The victim is no longer a student at the school. The sexual abuse occurred over the span of several years, while the victim was between 15 to 17 years old. Although Orndoff no longer works at the Rogue River Middle-High School, he was most recently employed with the Rogue Christian Academy in Grants Pass. Both schools are cooperating with the investigation.

 

Investigators believe Orndoff may have additional victims. If anyone has information related to this case, please contact Detective David Seese at the JCSO Tip Line (541) 774-8333. This case remains open and ongoing with investigators following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time. 

 

Sheriff’s Deputies Respond To Shady Cove Armed Robbery, Suspect Located And Arrested Within Minutes (Photo) -02/02/25

JCSO Case 25-0612

 

SHADY COVE, Ore. - A suspect is in custody after using a firearm to rob a Shady Cove business this evening. Sunday, February 2 at 5:44 PM, ECSO 911 Dispatch received a call for an armed robbery at Burgers & Brews restaurant in the 21170 block of Highway 62 in Shady Cove. 

 

Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) deputies responded along with Eagle Point Police Department officers. Deputies located the suspect vehicle at 5:55 PM at the Shady Cove Chevron gas station. After a brief standoff, deputies arrested the suspect without incident at 6:02 PM. 

 

The suspect, Jonathan Allen Rusch, 24, of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, is charged with first-degree robbery, menacing, and unlawful use of a weapon. He was booked and lodged in the Jackson County Jail. 

 

This case is under further investigation. There is no additional information for release at this time.

Man Arrested For Assault, Felony Hit & Run After Striking Woman Walking Horse On Rural Rogue River Roadway (Photo) -01/30/25

JCSO Case 25-0490

 

ROGUE RIVER, Ore. -- A suspect is in jail and a victim is in the hospital after a hit and run crash Sunday night on a rural Rogue River roadway. On Sunday, January 26 at 5:51 PM, a vehicle struck a woman in the roadway in the 700 block of Queens Branch Rd. The woman was attempting to gain control of her horse at the time of the crash. The vehicle never stopped and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The woman was transported to an area hospital with major injuries but is in stable condition. The horse was not injured.

 

Multiple witnesses were on scene at the time of the crash and provided information to responding Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) deputies and Rogue River Police Department officers. Later Sunday night, JCSO deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle in the nearby area. Evidence on scene led deputies to connect the reported stolen vehicle to the crash. After further investigation, deputies determined the involved vehicle was not stolen and the suspect had initiated a false report.

 

JCSO deputies arrested the suspect Tuesday, January 28 just after 6 PM. The suspect, Jason Allan Baker, 40, of Rogue River is charged with second-degree assault, felony hit and run, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with evidence, aggravated driving while suspended, and initiating a false police report. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. There is no further information available for release at this time.

Attached Media Files: scene.jpg, vehicle.jpg,