Undercover Detectives Arrest 39-Year-Old Jacksonville Man For Luring, Sexually Corrupting Local Teen Via Snapchat -03/27/25

VIDEO AVAILABLE

Broll: https://vimeo.com/1070169864?share=copy#t=0

Interviews: https://vimeo.com/1070170999?share=copy#t=0

JCSO Case 25-1530

MEDFORD, Ore. – A Jacksonville man is in jail today after attempting to lure and sexually corrupt a local teen. The suspect and the underaged victim connected via the Snapchat “Quick Add” feature. The child’s parents learned of the communications on March 22, intervened, and reported it to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) detectives took over the child’s Snapchat account and learned a local 39-year-old man was communicating sexually with the teen.  

On March 26, the suspect arranged to meet with a SOCET detective posing as the teen. Undercover detectives from JCSO, SOCET, Oregon State Police (OSP), and Medford Police Department (MPD) positioned themselves at the suspect’s prearranged meet up location. The suspect arrived in the 2900 block of Crater Lake Highway in Medford, and detectives arrested him without incident at 7:28 PM.

The suspect, Anthony Nicholas Wheeler, 39, of Jacksonville, is charged with first-degree online sexual corruption of a child, second-degree online sexual corruption of a child, and luring a minor. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

JCSO detectives, OSP, and MPD assisted in the arrest and investigation. United States Marshals Service funded the operation. 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, Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. The case will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is a reminder of the importance for parents to be aware of what their child is doing online.  The vigilance of this child’s parents led to a safe outcome but that is not always the case. Here are a few tips to help protect children online:

• Discuss internet safety and develop an online safety plan with children before they engage in online activity. Establish clear guidelines, teach children to spot red flags, and encourage children to have open communication with you.

• Encourage children to tell a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anyone asks them to engage in sexual activity or other inappropriate behavior.

• Immediately report suspected online enticement or sexual exploitation of a child by calling 911, contacting the FBI at www.tips.fbi.gov, or filing a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or www.report.cybertip.org.

For more information on keep kids safe on the internet, go to https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-ceos/keeping-children-safe-online. There is no further information available for release at this time.

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Suspicious Death Investigation Catches Break, Skeletal Remains Found April 2024 Identified As Missing Person, Detectives Have Persons Of Interest (Photo) -03/25/25

UPDATE: Added Missing person flyer and Video Interview Name: Lieutenant James Kocina, Criminal Investigations Division

Video Interview Available for Download: https://vimeo.com/1069394921?share=copy#t=0

JCSO Cases 23-5639, 24-2046

RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives got a break in a suspicious death investigation and missing person case when skeletal remains were identified from a DNA comparison. The remains found outside Jacksonville in April of 2024 have been identified as Nathan Louis Merkel, 63, of Wimer. Merkel was reported missing in September of 2023. Next-of-kin has been notified. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

JCSO detectives are investigating the case and believe Merkel died via suspicious circumstances. Detectives have identified persons of interest who are currently out-of-county in custody on unrelated charges. The suspects names will be released pending further investigation and charges. Detectives believe there is no danger to the public at this time. No additional information is available for release.

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April, 2024 Skeletal Remains News Release:

Skeletal Remains Found in Rural Jacksonville Area, Detectives Investigating Suspicious Death

JCSO Case 24-2046

RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a suspicious death after skeletal remains were discovered Sunday, April 14 outside Jacksonville in the Applegate area. JCSO detectives and medical examiners responded to investigate. The rugged terrain and remote area required JCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) to assist in recovering the remains. Due to the ongoing investigation, the exact location will not be released at this time.

Investigators are working to identify the subject and the cause and manner of death. Due to the advanced stages of decomposition, state medical examiners will conduct additional testing. This case is under further investigation with detectives following additional leads. No more information is available at this time.

Vehicle Strikes, Kills Bicyclist On Foothill Road (Photo) -03/25/25

JCSO Case 25-1564

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A vehicle struck and killed a bicyclist early this morning on Foothill Road near the intersection of Corey Road in rural Central Point. ECSO Dispatch received a 911 call from the involved driver at 4:44 AM. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded along with Jackson County Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased at 5:42 AM. Next-of-kin has been notified. The decedent is Matthew Edward Davenport, 45, of White City. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the incident. The preliminary investigation indicates a green 2021 Toyota 4Runner traveling southbound struck the bicyclist on the shoulder of Foothill Road. The driver is cooperating with the investigation and no criminal charges have been filed at this time.

The STAR Team consists of investigators from JCSO, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. This case is under further investigation.  There is no more information available for release at this time.

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Wanted Suspect Dies By Apparent Suicide During High-Risk Traffic Stop, Oregon State Police Investigating (Photo) -03/20/25

UPDATE: 3-20-25 Next-of-kin has been notified. The deceased suspect is Franklin James Hodson, 36, of Grants Pass. Oregon State Police is handling the investigation. Correction: the suspect had one warrant for 15 charges, not 15 warrants as the news release stated. 

JCSO Case 25-1457

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - A wanted suspect died by apparent suicide this afternoon in the 6000 block of Table Rock Road in rural Central Point. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and US Marshals were in the area actively searching for a suspect with 15 nationwide extraditable warrants for child sex abuse. 

The suspect was involved in a domestic altercation on Orr Drive in rural Central Point March 16 where he menaced a woman with a firearm. JCSO deputies developed probable cause for his arrest for domestic violence-menacing, unlawful use of a firearm, and the sex abuse warrants.

Law enforcement learned of his whereabouts, attempted to detain the suspect and he eluded capture in a vehicle at approximately 2:10 PM. JCSO deputies and US Marshals conducted a high-risk traffic stop near the intersection of Orr Drive and Table Rock Road. After a brief standoff, the suspect died by apparent suicide by firearm at 2:15 PM. 

The suspect was wanted out of California on 15 child sex abuse charges. The felony warrants were for 10 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and five counts of oral copulation with a child under 14. The suspects name will be released following next of kin notification.

Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to conduct the investigation. Further information will come from OSP.

Heavy Rainstorm Leads To Central Point Woman’s Tragic Death After She Drowns In Flooded Creek -03/17/25

JCSO Case 25-1401

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Heavy rain and flooding led to the tragic death of a Central Point woman yesterday afternoon. Our condolences go to her family and friends in this difficult time. Next-of-kin has been notified. Out of respect for the family’s privacy we will not be releasing the decedent’s name.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a call for a missing woman yesterday, March 16 at 4:21 PM in the 5000 block of Kane Creek Road in rural Central Point. Investigators learned the woman was attempting to clear branches from a culvert under her driveway when her waders (waterproof overalls) filled with water and swift flood waters pulled her through the culvert and into nearby Kane Creek.

Jackson County Fire District 3 responded with a swift water Technical Rescue Team. FD3 personnel located the woman approximately 100 yards down the creek and she was transported by Mercy Flights ambulance to a local hospital. Medics attempted lifesaving measures but she was pronounced deceased.

This incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers of rainstorms leading to flooding. During periods of heavy rains, stay away from flood-prone areas such as stream beds, drainage ditches, and culverts. Move to higher ground if flooding threatens your area. If you live or work in flood-prone areas, remain alert during heavy rainstorms. Fast-moving water can erode stream and river banks, making them unstable and dangerous. The water may carry debris on and beneath the surface which can pose significant risks. For more information on flood safety go to: https://www.ready.gov/floods. There is no further information available for release.

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Local Electrician Assaulted In Rural Eagle Point, Fends Off Attacker In Apparent Self Defense (Photo) -03/13/25

JCSO Case 25-1336

EAGLE POINT, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating an assault that led to a stabbing around 8:30 this morning in rural Eagle Point. Detectives’ preliminary investigation revealed this was an apparent case of self-defense. 

On March 13, ECSO 911 Dispatch received a call at 8:31 AM for a stabbing in the 2100 block of Rogue River Drive in Rural Eagle Point. JCSO deputies responded along with Jackson County Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights. Deputies secured the scene, and a Mercy Flights ambulance transported the wounded suspect to a local hospital. 

During the investigation, detectives learned a commercial electrician was in the area working when a man approached and assaulted him unprovoked. The electrician used his pocket knife to stop the attack, wounding the suspect in the process. No other people were involved in the altercation.

The suspect underwent surgery for superficial wounds at a local hospital and is in stable condition. Charges for the suspect are pending review by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. The suspect’s name will be released pending charges. 

JCSO detectives are continuing their investigation. There is no additional information available at this time.