Board Shanty Creek Rd. Fire -08/08/25

RELEASE DATE: August 8, 2025

INCIDENT: Board Shanty Creek Road Fire

INCIDENT DATE: July 17, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Travis Snyder

DETAILS: On Thursday, July 17^th, at about 5:06 PM, 911 received a report of a fire in the 2200 block of Board Shanty Creek Road.  Upon arrival, firefighters located a burning house as well as RV’s and vehicles as the fire began to spread into nearby wildland.  Personnel from local fire departments and wildland firefighters were dispatched to the scene.  Sheriff’s Deputies responded as well to aid in traffic control and for potential evacuation orders.

On Friday, July 18 fire personnel and Sheriff’s Deputies located what was believed to be human remains within the fire scene.  Due to the unknown circumstances of this incident, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded with personnel to assist in the recovery of the suspected human remains.  Deputies worked with crime lab personnel as well as the State Medical Examiner's Office and the State of Oregon Fire Marshal.  The Oregon State Police also assisted with local investigators including an arson investigator.   

It is believed that the remains of one adult were located within the burnt residence that was a total loss due to the fire.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation as is the identity of the remains located by investigators.  The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office will also attempt to determine cause of death for the remains located; however, it may be difficult due to conditions caused by the fire. 

During the initial investigation, Deputies learned that a female who lived at the original fire scene was missing and could not be located by friends.  The remains found in the residence that burned are believed to be those of the missing female, Sarah Caron.  Confirmation cannot be made until further DNA testing is complete. Caron’s family has been advised.

The residence where the fire started is the only residence lost in this incident.  The Sheriff’s Office is not aware of any other persons being unaccounted for in regard to this incident.

Many aspects of this incident are still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.      

UPDATE: LOCATED - Runaway: Howard, Nathan (Photo) -08/04/25

UPDATE: 8/4/25 Nathan has been located safely.

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Missing Person: Nathan Howard

Age: 17

Sex: M

Race: Caucasian

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Green

Case: 25-17383

Information: On 07/31/2025 Nathan Howard was reported as a runaway/missing person. Nathan was last seen on 07/30/2025 at 4:30 pm in the area of F and 5^th St. in Grants Pass, Oregon. Nathan is believed to be in the area of Grants Pass in and around city parks. 

If you have any information, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123

Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash (Photo) -07/31/25

INCIDENT: Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

INCIDENT NUMBER: 25-17324

INCIDENT DATE: July 30^th, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Sergeant Stanton

DECEASED: Angelina Marie Odell, 23 years old

DETAILS:

On July 30^th, 2025, at approximately 5:45pm, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash in the 1100 block of Jaynes Drive.

Rural Metro Fire also responded to the scene and found a single vehicle rollover crash with a single occupant.

The initial investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling on Jaynes Drive towards New Hope Road and for an unknown reason left the roadway, rolled over and came to rest on its driver’s side. 

The driver, Angelina Odell, was found deceased on arrival. Next of kin have been notified.

No further information will be released at this time.

JMET SW - Holland Loop Rd, Cave Junction (Photo) -07/29/25

RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2025

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: July 23, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

ARRESTED: Joseph Aaron Barany, 34 years-old

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

DETAILS: On July 23, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed two search warrants on two different properties in the 4000 and 5000 block of Holland Loop Rd, Cave Junction, regarding illegal marijuana grow sites. The search warrants were executed with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE), and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)

During the execution of the warrants, approximately 5,000 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Additionally, four firearms were found on scene at one of the properties.

Both properties also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

Joseph Aaron Barany was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

Update - Missing Person: Praszek, Stacy (Photo) -07/24/25

JMET SW - Rockydale Rd, Cave Junction (Photo) -07/22/25

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: July 17, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana     

DETAILS:  On July 17, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 3000 block of Rockydale Road, Cave Junction, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE), and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

During the execution of the warrant, more than 3,600 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed.

The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

The primary suspects were not on scene during the time of the search. If located, they will be charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

Missing Person: McGuire, Stephen (Photo) -07/21/25

UPDATE: 7/20/25 11:30pm - Stephen has been located safely.

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MISSING PERSON - ATTEMPT TO LOCATE

CASE: 25-16279

NAME: Stephen Anthony McGuire

AGE: 58

RACE: Caucasian

EYES: Hazel

HAIR: Brown

HEIGHT: 5'8"

Stephen was last seen on July 15, 2025, on Central Ave in Grants Pass.  It is reported that Stephen left during the night. Stephen may be wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans.

UPDATE - Name Correction - Missing Person - Sarah Caron (Photo) -07/18/25

UPDATE: Subject's first name is Sarah, NOT Sharon. Updated flier is attached. 

* ATTEMPT TO LOCATE – WELFARE CHECK - POSSIBLE MISSING PERSON*

Name: Caron, Sarah

Age: 42

Sex: F

Race: White
Height: 6’00”

Weight: 160 lbs.

Hair: Red

Eyes: Unknown

Information: Sarah was last seen on 07/17/25 between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM in the area of a structure fire in Josephine County. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate her to check her welfare.

Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office with any information. Please reference case #25-16127

Office: 541-474-5123 X3

Rogue River Marine Rescue -07/14/25

RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2025

INCIDENT: Marine Incident/Rescue

INCIDENT DATE: July 12, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Travis Snyder

DETAILS: On Saturday, July 12^th, 2025 at 12:16 AM, American Medical Response (AMR), Rural Metro Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire Department and Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Robertson Bridge Road and Lower River Road area for a report of a possible drowning. Several hundred people were participating in a nighttime event advertised on Facebook as a “River Glow Float”.

During this event, several people between the ages of 5 and 47 years old became trapped on a large log in the river. Some lost their floatation devices, and several did not have their required safety equipment (life jackets) with them. During this incident, numerous people were separated from their groups and reported missing.   

The Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputy responded and worked with other responders to safely rescue 5 individuals and assisted 7 others with getting to safety. Several miles of the river were checked and no other individuals in need of assistance were located.  

By the time first responders cleared the scene, all subjects previously reported missing were located and accounted for. Medical personnel examined subjects on scene and no one needed further medical care and no one was transported for treatment. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens and visitors that the Rogue River is dangerous and can be deadly.  Rafters and recreational users of the river should always wear life jackets.  We cannot express how dangerous a night float like this can be and are thankful for the professional first responders who saved the lives of many. Not only was this event dangerous to those on the river and the rescuers who responded, it put the rest of our community in danger since most of our emergency responders tended to this incident for approximately three hours.

As the follow up investigation continues, several citations have been or will be issued as a result of this night float.  So far, 13 people have been cited for Unsafe Boating Operation, 2 for Recklessly Endangering, 1 for Disorderly Conduct and 1 for Hosting an Event Without a Permit.