Child Sexual Abuse Material On Mobile Device Leads To Arrest By Medford Police Teamed With Local Child Exploitation Task Force (Photo) - 07/29/26

MPD Case 26-7566

MEDFORD, Ore. – A report of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on a mobile device has led to the arrest of a 29-year-old Medford Man. A Jackson County Grand Jury returned an indictment Tuesday, July 28 on all charges. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) and Medford Police Department (MPD) arrested the suspect Thursday, July 23 at a residence in the 800 block of Bennett Avenue in Medford.

The suspect, Jonathan Daniel Marquez, 29, of Medford, is charged with two counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, and 10 counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

SOCET began their investigation after MPD received a report of CSAM on a mobile device which was seized by consent at the residence. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) assisted in the investigation. The seized digital device which was forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation. During their examination, SOHTCTF located additional CSAM images. 

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), MPD, Oregon Department of Justice’s (ODOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD. There is no further information available for release.

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Investigators Serve Ashland Search Warrant After Unidentified Suspect Sent Thousands Of Child Sexual Abuse Material Images To Undercover Agent (Photo) - 07/23/26

ODOJ Case CJD0550-26

ASHLAND, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s (ODOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Ashland Police Department (APD) served a search warrant Wednesday morning in Ashland. The task force served the search warrant after SOCET investigators received over 2000 images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images directly from an unidentified suspect.

On scene, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and involved parties. SOCET investigators are working to identify the suspect. Once identified, investigators will refer criminal charges to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office.

SOCET served the search warrant Wednesday, July 22 at an apartment in the 400 block of Russell Street in Ashland. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Medford Police Department (MPD), APD, Central Point Police Department, Talent Police Department, ODOJ ICAC, and the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) assisted with the warrant service. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation.

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD.

Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

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Detectives Investigating Rural Central Point Homicide; Suspect In Custody (Photo) - 07/16/26

Detectives Investigating Rural Central Point Homicide; Suspect in Custody

JCSO Case 26-3616

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in a rural Central Point residence. The suspect is in custody.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 4:05 AM, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) dispatchers received a call of gunshots heard near the 6000 block of Kershaw Road. JCSO deputies responded and found a man deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the residence.

Next-of-kin has been notified. The victim is Juan Carlos Ramirez-Arango, 62, of Central Point. JCSO sends our deepest sympathies to Ranirez-Arango’s family and all those affected during this time. 

Evidence collected during the investigation led to the arrest of Pamela Sue Maya, 67, of Central Point. She was in a relationship with the victim. Maya has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held in the Jackson County Jail. 

Ashland Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office responded to assist. The Oregon State Police Forensics Lab processed the crime scene. There is no further information available for release at this time.

Task Force Busts Rural Black-Market Marijuana Grow Outside Applegate Area (Photo) - 07/09/26

Video available for download: https://vimeo.com/1208577865?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

JCSO Case 26-3293

JACKSONVILLE, Ore. - Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Thursday, July 9 at a black-market cannabis grow in the 100 block of Hogan Road near rural Applegate outside of Jacksonville. IMET detectives seized approximately 1,300 marijuana plants, 1/2 lb. of psilocybin mushrooms, and 3 ½ lbs. of THC extract.

There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Oregon State Police (OSP). Oregon Water Resources Department and Jackson County Code Enforcement responded to the scene to conduct investigations.

While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, OSP, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

Message From Sheriff Sickler On Jail Basement Closure (Photo) - 06/30/26

Dear Community,

Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) is making changes to jail operations due to the rising costs of providing public safety services. As part of these changes, the Jackson County Jail basement housing unit will close beginning July 1, reducing the jail's operational capacity from approximately 292 to 230 beds.

This decision is the result of a difficult financial reality facing our agency. Over the past several years, expenses have increased across nearly every area of our operation. Jail medical costs alone have doubled to more than $3 million per year, while personnel, equipment, and operational costs continue to rise significantly faster than available funding.

At the same time, JCSO has very limited ability to generate additional funding to offset these increasing expenses. To balance our budget, we have been forced to make difficult decisions about staffing, services, and operations, while remaining committed to protecting and serving the people of Jackson County.

Over the past three years, JCSO has eliminated more than 25 full-time positions. While we have worked hard to minimize impacts, these reductions have now affected the Corrections Bureau, making it difficult to operate the jail without significantly cutting other services we provide, such as patrol and detectives. I believe closing a portion of the jail is the least harmful option to our county long term.

With fewer jail beds available, some individuals arrested for lower-level offenses and subject to immediate mandatory release by Oregon Senate Bill 48 may no longer be lodged in the jail and instead may be cited and released. Despite this change we will remain committed to public safety and will be reviewing our practices regularly to ensure we are utilizing our resources in the best way possible.

Unfortunately, budget projections suggest these changes may remain in place for the foreseeable future. Even so, we remain committed to working with the Board of Commissioners, County leadership, community stakeholders, and our public safety partners to identify long-term solutions and advocate for the resources needed to meet the growing demands placed on our criminal justice system.

While jail capacity will be reduced, our commitment to protecting Jackson County remains unchanged.

Deputies will continue responding to calls, investigating crimes, protecting life, and working closely with our criminal justice partners to hold offenders accountable.

The men and women of JCSO remain dedicated to serving and protecting our community. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work through these challenges together.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Nate Sickler