Registered Sex Offender Accused Of Possessing Obscene Images (Photo) - 07/23/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment Tuesday charging a Hillsboro, Oregon man with possessing images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
 

Daniel Bostwick, 69, has been charged with a single count of possession of obscene visual representations of child sex abuse.
 

According to court documents, Bostwick was on state parole following a previous conviction for Sexual Abuse in the First Degree under Oregon law.  Bostwick was subject to device monitoring as a condition of his parole. In April, two sexualized images of children were detected on Bostwick’s cellphone. A subsequent search of Bostwick’s phone and a thumb drive resulted in the recovery of dozens of images depicting the sexual abuse of children, which appeared to have been generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
 

Bostwick made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a 3-day jury trial scheduled to begin on September 22, 2026.
 

If convicted, Bostwick faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum sentence of twenty years in federal prison, a term of supervised release of at least five years up to life, and a fine of $250,000.
 

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
 

The FBI and Washington County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mira Chernick is prosecuting the case.
 

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

# # #

HSTF Investigation Leads To Indictment For Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine (Photo) - 07/16/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment Tuesday charging Jonathann Uriel Ayala Garcia, 23, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after his involvement in a transnational criminal organization (TCO).

According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a Beaverton-based TCO involved in trafficking methamphetamine, firearms, and cocaine. In June 2026, investigators arrested Ayala Garcia after he arrived to sell narcotics. Investigators searched his vehicle and found approximately 16.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 168.3 grams of heroin.

Ayala Garcia was arraigned in federal court yesterday before a U.S. magistrate judge. He pleaded not guilty and ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on September 15, 2026.

If convicted, Ayala Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, 5 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $10 million.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The DEA and ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hermann is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

Ontario Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Distributing Narcotics (Photo) - 07/16/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—An Ontario, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last week for distributing methamphetamine.

Cody Bernal Carroll, 31, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release.

According to court documents, in January 2023, law enforcement learned Carroll was distributing controlled substances. On February 9, 2023, Carroll sold a half a pound of methamphetamine, and, on February 23, 2023, he sold approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine. Pursuant to a search warrant at Carroll’s residence, investigators seized multiple firearms, including machine guns.

On October 5, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Carroll with distribution of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.

On March 10, 2025, Carroll pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

ATF and FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, Ontario Police Department, and Oregon State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa E. LeRitz prosecuted the case.

# # #

Jackson County Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Distributing Fentanyl (Photo) - 07/15/26

MEDFORD, Ore.—A Jackson County, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last Thursday for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Eduardo Cortes Cortes, 28, was sentenced to 67 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in July of 2022, investigators responded to an overdose where the victim was declared deceased with a rolled up dollar bill with crushed pill residue that tested positive for fentanyl. After extensive investigation, Tyren Duarte was determined to be the source of supply to the victim. Law enforcement later identified Cortes Cortes as a source of that fentanyl, and, during a traffic stop involving Cortes Cortes, law enforcement recovered 93 grams of fentanyl pills and 33.66 grams of a fentanyl analogue inside.  

On February 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford, Oregon, returned an indictment charging Duarte, Cortes Cortes, and a third co-conspirator with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Duarte previously plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and six years of supervised release on August 19, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, HSI, and the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara T. Shaw and John C. Brassell.

MADGE, led by the Medford Police Department works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Jackson County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Medford Police Department, The Central Point Police Department, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and HSI. MADGE is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program.

# # #

Mexican National Unlawfully Residing In The United States Sentenced To Federal Prison For Drug Conspiracy (Photo) - 07/15/26

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced to federal prison last week for conspiring to distribute over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 800 grams of fentanyl pills.

Carlos Manuel Perez Lopez, 43, was sentenced to 136 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.  

“Bulk narcotics distributors like Carlos Manuel Perez Lopez profiteer from the misery of their customers’ addictions,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Multi-agency collaboration and coordination between state and federal authorities are a powerful force multiplier in combatting narcotics traffickers. This investigation is a shining example of how combined federal and state enforcement efforts can thwart drug traffickers’ efforts to poison our community. Drug dealers in Oregon are on notice.” 

“Mr. Perez Lopez put profits ahead of human life by distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine into our communities,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “DEA and our partners are relentlessly pursuing those responsible, disrupting the supply chain, and bringing traffickers to justice. Every fentanyl seizure represents lives protected. Through Fentanyl Free America, we remain committed to making our communities safer and building a future free from the threat of fentanyl.”

According to court documents, in September 2024, DEA task force investigators identified Perez Lopez as a large-scale local drug distributor.

On September 13, 2024, after learning Perez Lopez was expecting to receive a drug shipment, investigators followed Perez Lopez to a meeting at a truck stop in Aurora, Oregon, where Perez Lopez met briefly with two men near a blue semi-truck bearing license plates from Mexico and a Texas temporary tag.

Investigators stopped Perez Lopez near Tigard, Oregon. Perez Lopez was the driver and sole occupant of the Camry. Investigators detained Perez Lopez and then searched the car after a drug detecting canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the car. Below is a photo of the drugs that were seized from the trunk:

Inside the Camry, investigators seized over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and 820.4 gross grams of fentanyl pills.

Meanwhile other investigators were following the semi-truck as it traveled northbound on I-5 from the truck stop. Soon after investigators stopped Perez Lopez, the semi-truck left the highway and parked at a public rest stop near Wilsonville, Oregon, barely three miles from the truck stop. The occupants of the semi-truck fled the truck, leaving it running and abandoned at the rest stop. Investigators lawfully searched the cab of the truck where they found and later seized approximately 209.68 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in suitcases. Below is an image of the drugs seized from the semi-truck:

On September 14, 2024, Perez Lopez was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

On April 1, 2026, Perez Lopez pleaded guilty to a superseding information alleging conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA, Tigard Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Sherwood Police Department, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Maloney.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

# # #

Mexican National Unlawfully Residing In The United States Sentenced To 15 Months In Federal Prison For Prohibited Possession Of A Firearm (Photo) - 07/15/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national was sentenced to federal prison last Thursday for illegal possession of a firearm and illegal reentry.

Ramon Oscar Morales-Valencia, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. His sentence will run concurrent with his recent Marion County drug possession conviction.

“Illegal possession of firearms and narcotics by prohibited individuals fuels gun violence in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Combatting gun violence is a priority, and my office will pursue those who think they are above the law.”

“As if his illegal reentry into the United States was not enough, Morales-Valencia intentionally chose to further break our nation’s laws by illegally possessing a firearm and methamphetamine,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “The unlawful possession of firearms and narcotics by prohibited individuals poses a serious threat to the safety of our communities, and ATF will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who endanger our citizens.”

According to court documents, Morales-Valencia was formally removed from the United States in 2010. On April 19, 2025, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies initiated a traffic stop on an SUV Morales-Valencia was driving. He stopped the SUV and stepped from the vehicle, removing a Ruger 9mm pistol from his waistband and setting it on the driver’s seat. Deputies recovered the firearm as well as methamphetamine from the SUV.

Morales-Valencia pleaded guilty in state court to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 29 months. On September 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Morales-Valencia with alien in possession of a firearm and illegal reentry.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

# # #

Four Sentenced After Firearms Investigation Following A Million-Dollar Burglary (Photo) - 07/13/26

EUGENE, Ore.—The last of four co-defendants was sentenced to federal prison last Friday after burglaries of a home in Coos County, Oregon, and stealing cash, gold, silver coins, and firearms. The following individuals have been sentenced:

• Daniel Knapp, 58, of Port Orford, Oregon, was sentenced last Friday to 24 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release;
• William Travis Cutlip, 41, of Port Orford, was sentenced July 7, 2026, to 24 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release;
• Kyle Vanalstine, 31, of Bandon, Oregon, was sentenced July 7, 2026, to 77 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release; and
• Matthew Knapp, 48, of Ashland, Oregon, was sentenced June 24, 2026, to five years of probation.

According to court documents, a federal firearms investigation began after a significant residential burglary. On Dec. 19, 2023, Matthew Knapp, Daniel Knapp, and Cutlip broke into the vault of a Coos County residence and stole approximately one million dollars in cash, gold, silver coins, and at least one firearm. After returning to one of their residences, Matthew Knapp was seen possessing a stolen pistol. The investigation revealed several messages showing Matthew Knapp’s history with firearms and accessories nine months prior, in March 2023. Matthew Knapp is a felon and prohibited from having a firearm. Matthew Knapp was later convicted of Aggravated Theft I in state court.

Several days later, on Dec. 23, Vanalstine broke into the same vault and stole approximately 40 firearms, including assault rifles, pistols, and at least one silencer and transferred many of them to Cutlip. Several stolen firearms stored at Cutlip’s property were later recovered in California.

On Jan. 5, 2024, law enforcement stopped and searched Vanalstine while he was driving in Curry County, Oregon. In his car, Vanalstine had more than one kilogram of methamphetamine, scales and a loaded pistol. Vanalstine was convicted in state court for the burglary of the residence and for a separate possession of a controlled substance case, and was sentenced to prison for both offenses.

On Jan. 9, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Cutlip’s residence in Port Orford and seized a stolen silencer and the assault rifles pictured below:

In January 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Daniel Knapp’s residence and found a .22 revolver, which was unconnected to the burglary. Daniel Knapp is a felon and prohibited from having a firearm.

On Dec. 11, 2024, Cutlip pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in firearms. He was convicted in state court for burglary.

On Dec. 4, 2025, Vanalstine pleaded guilty to trafficking in firearms and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

In February 2026, Matthew Knapp and Daniel Knapp pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was prosecuted by the ATF, FBI, SCINT (South Coos Interagency Narcotics Team), Coos County Sheriff Office, and Oregon State Police, with assistance from Coquille Tribal Police, Bandon Police Department, Coos Bay Police Department and the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sweet.

# # #

Armenian National Extradited To The United States Pleads Guilty To Ransomware Extortion Conspiracy (Photo) - 07/13/26

PORTLAND, Ore.— An Armenian national extradited from Ukraine to the United States pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in Ryuk ransomware attacks and an extortion conspiracy targeting companies throughout the United States, including a technology company operating in Oregon.

Karen Serobovich Vardanyan, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and computer fraud.

According to court documents, between November 2019 through April 2020, Vardanyan illegally accessed computer networks of victim companies to deploy Ryuk ransomware on compromised servers and workstations. Ryuk ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt data on a victim's computer or network and prevents the victim from accessing the encrypted files until a ransom is paid.

As part of the scheme, ransom payments were extorted from victim companies in exchange for decryption keys to regain access to their data. A ransom note was placed on the computer systems demanding ransom payments in Bitcoin, a form of cryptocurrency, and provided an email address that victims could use to communicate with the cybercriminals.

Vardanyan worked with his co-conspirators to attack a company in Michigan that paid 200 bitcoin or over $1.1 million at the time of payment to restore access to their network. They also attacked a company in Wilsonville, Oregon, and in February 2020 attacked a school in Texas.

Vardanyan and his co-conspirators illegally accessed computer networks of victim companies and deployed ransomware on hundreds of compromised servers and workstations. Vardanyan and his co-conspirators are alleged to have received approximately 1,610 bitcoins in ransom payments from the victim companies, which was valued at over $15 million at the time of payment.

On Feb. 22, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Vardanyan with conspiracy, computer fraud, and extortion.

Vardanyan faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for computer fraud. Vardanyan will be sentenced on Sept. 22. 2026, by a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Vardanyan has agreed to pay over $1.1 million in restitution.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Katherine A. Rykken, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing Vardanyan’s arrest and extradition from Ukraine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the Ukrainian authorities for their assistance in this matter.

# # #

Mexican National Extradited From Canada Sentenced To 14 Years In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking Conspiracy (Photo) - 07/09/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in the Portland area, the Oregon coast, and Olympia, Washington, leading to the murder of a victim who owed a drug debt.

Fernando Adolip Cruz-Lerma, 25, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $3,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, in April and May 2019, Cruz-Lerma conspired with others to engage in drug trafficking. In April, Cruz-Lerma transported a victim from the state of Washington to Clackamas County due to a drug debt that the victim owed to members of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The victim was killed by members of the drug trafficking conspiracy in furtherance of the conspiracy. Cruz-Lerma assisted with leaving the victim’s body along a rural road in Clackamas County after the victim had been killed.

In May 2019, Cruz-Lerma distributed approximately two pounds of methamphetamine. He returned to Mexico the following month. 

In May 2023, Cruz-Lerma’s co-conspirator, Marcos Alonso Castillo-Bernal, was sentenced to 26 years of imprisonment. A few days after that sentencing hearing, Cruz-Lerma flew from Mexico to Calgary, Canada, and was arrested by Canadian authorities on the arrest warrant issued in the District of Oregon. 

On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a superseding indictment charging Cruz-Lerma with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. On April 7, 2026, Cruz-Lerma pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and distributing controlled substances.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA, the FBI, the Portland Police Bureau, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Canadian authorities to secure the arrest and July 2024 extradition of Cruz-Lerma from Canada.

CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

# # #

Bend Man Pleads Guilty After Armed Robbery At Cannabis Dispensary (Photo) - 07/08/26

EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today after robbing a Bend cannabis dispensary.

Russell Ian Boggess, 43, pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to court documents, on July 23, 2024, Boggess robbed a Bend cannabis dispensary with a .9 mm handgun. During the robbery, Boggess attempted to fire the gun twice, but the gun jammed. A dispensary employee attempted to call the police, but Boggess struck the employee in the head with the firearm and fled the store with the stolen cannabis. Witnesses outside the store were able to subdue Boggess and secure the firearm until law enforcement arrived.

On September 19, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment charging Boggess with interference with commerce by threats or violence, felon in possession of ammunition, and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Boggess faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for interference with commerce by robbery. For use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, Boggess faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Boggess will be sentenced on October 7, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The FBI and Bend Police Department are investigating the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Nelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Four Colombian Nationals Unlawfully Residing In The United States Sentenced To Federal Prison For A Burglary Conspiracy Targeting Asian American Business Owners (Photo) - 07/08/26

EUGENE, Ore.— Four Columbian nationals unlawfully residing in the United States were sentenced to federal prison yesterday for a multi-state burglary conspiracy that targeted Asian American business owners in Oregon and Washington. Following the federal hearings, the defendants were also sentenced in their state court cases based on the targeted burglaries.

• Derinson Martinez-Grandas, 34, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and 10 months in state prison;
• Jhon Alexander Quintero, 45, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and 15 months in state prison;
• Steven Alexander Quiroga-Solano, 28, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and 18 months in state prison; and
• William Estiven Rodriguez-Gaviria, 27, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and 10 months in state prison.

Each defendant was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit the stolen proceeds as well as the devices used to coordinate the burglaries.

The defendants traveled from California and proceeded through Nevada, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. In Washington and Oregon, they identified burglary victims by using the internet to research potential Asian American targets and their businesses. They stayed in short-term rentals and identified and surveilled their burglary targets, who were all Asian American small business owners. They then performed reconnaissance on the victims’ residences.

When they carried out the burglaries, the defendants employed signal jamming technology, perimeter countersurveillance, and communicated on seven-way group calls. They then entered their victims’ homes by shattering glass doors. Once inside, they ransacked residences, stealing United States and foreign currency, jewelry, designer handbags, purses, wallets, travel documents, and other valuables. After the burglaries, the crew returned to their short-term rental to package the proceeds for transport, transfer, or transmittal back to California and Colombia.

Following a burglary in Salem, Oregon, detectives learned that the defendants returned to their rental in Eugene, Oregon, and executed a search warrant at the rental that night. Investigators recovered money and property, believed to be stolen from the various residences, more than a dozen cell phones, believed to be used by the burglary crew, evidence of money wires to Bogota, Colombia, and various Colombian travel documentation, including passports.

They also located commercial-grade Wi-Fi signal jammers, seen in the image below, that were plugged in and charging following their suspected use during the burglary that day.

A search of their devices revealed additional evidence of the conspiracy, including sending and receiving coordinates for the houses they burglarized, surveillance communications, and shared messages highlighting the burglary targets from the preceding days.

For instance, Martinez-Grandas secured short term rentals for the crew in Auburn, Washington, and Eugene and mapped the address of the Salem home on the day of that burglary.

Quintero researched the value of jewelry the night of a burglary in Auburn and called a Columbian shipping company two days after the Eugene burglary.

Quiroga-Solano researched Chinese restaurants two days before the burglary crew victimized a family owning a Chinese restaurant. He was in the vicinity of a victim’s home in Gresham, Oregon, the night before it was burglarized, which authorities believe was in preparation for the following day’s burglary.

Lastly, Rodriguez-Gaviria sent a message to a co-conspirator with the address of a burglary victim the day the victim was burglarized and posed as a food delivery person at two homes the day they were burglarized.

On November 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging the defendants with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods.

From March through May 2026, Quintero, Rodriguez-Gaviria, Quiroga-Solano, and Martinez-Grandas pleaded guilty to conspiracy. 

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eugene Police Department with assistance from the Salem Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, and the Gresham Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren.

# # #

Portland Man Charged With Firearm Offenses After Firearms Went Missing At The Portland International Airport (Photo) - 07/02/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—Terell Wayne Overton, 51, of Portland, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with felon in possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm after multiple victims reported firearms stolen at the Portland International Airport.

According to court documents, in June 2026, the Port of Portland Police began receiving a series of calls from airline passengers traveling through Portland International Airport reporting that their firearms did not arrive at their destinations and were missing. On June 28, 2026, a victim called to report their firearm was stolen, which had an Apple AirTag inside the locked case. Police used the AirTag information, which led them to Overton and a black backpack.

Pursuant to a search warrant, investigators searched the backpack and found a locked handgun case containing the handgun the victim had reported stolen.

Overton made his first appearance in federal court yesterday before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was ordered released pending further court proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The FBI, Port of Portland Police, and PDX Task Force are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

Warm Springs Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison For Sexually Exploiting A Minor (Photo) - 07/02/26

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man, was sentenced to federal prison Monday after sexually exploiting a minor victim, recording it, and uploading it online, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.

Odysseus Japeth Tewee, 20, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on September 23, 2024, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a video containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from Warm Springs. PPB identified Tewee as the suspect and contacted the Warm Springs Police Department (WSPD). Within hours, WSPD and the FBI identified the minor victim, located Tewee, and placed him in custody. Pursuant to a search warrant, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) found over 100 images and 9 videos of CSAM on Tewee’s phone.

On October 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Tewee with sexual exploitation of a child, possession and transportation of child pornography, and sexual abusive contact.

On January 5, 2026, Tewee pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child.

Federal and local law enforcement partners across the state assisted in identifying and apprehending Tewee. This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from WSPD, PPB, and DCSO. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pam Paaso prosecuted this case.

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

# # #