Warm Springs Man Charged With Eluding Police Officers And Felon In Possession Of A Firearm (Photo) - 01/14/26
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man has been charged with possessing multiple firearms as a felon and eluding police officers after a high-speed chase.
Edward Francis Jones, 32, has been charged by criminal complaint with felon in possession of a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
“Running from justice puts lives at risk and threatens the safety of everyone around us,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “I am grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their commitment to protecting the community by locating and removing this dangerous fugitive from our streets.”
“The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is thankful to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police for arresting Jones,” said Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon Pete W. Cajigal. “The unwavering dedication, relentless hard work, and steadfast diligence of these agencies stand as a powerful testament to the exceptional caliber of law enforcement that safeguards and serves our communities.”
“Our community is safer because of our partnerships with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, said Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Shark. “Those partnerships allowed us to take both weapons, and a felon in possession of those weapons, off our streets.”
According to court documents, on November 6, 2025, Warm Springs Police officers were patrolling on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation when they observed a Hyundai sedan that matched the description of a stolen car. As the officer checked the license plate, the driver placed the car into drive and drove at a high speed into a field. As the officer activated his overhead lights and sirens, the car came to a sudden stop after hitting something. A male, identified as Jones, exited the car and began running. Officers attempted to chase Jones but lost sight of him.
Inside the stolen car, officers found a loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number sitting on the driver’s seat. Officers also found alcohol, fireworks, a backpack containing a bag believed to contain methamphetamine, a baggie of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 94 rounds of ammunition. A second backpack was found inside the vehicle with mail belonging to Jones.
On January 7, 2026, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed a female known to be affiliated with Jones in a Chrysler 300. Officers initiated a traffic stop for an expired registration. The vehicle did not stop and continued traveling through Madras, Oregon, at extremely high speeds, passing vehicles and driving into oncoming traffic. The car ultimately lost control and crashed. A male exited the driver’s seat and fled on foot. Drone operators from the Prineville Police Department located the fleeing suspect approximately 100 yards east. Officers contacted the suspect, identified as Jones, and took him into custody. Inside the car, officers observed a handgun lying on the driver’s side floorboard. An additional blue pistol belonging to the female occupant was also found on the driver’s side floorboard.
Jones has been wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service since May 29, 2025, for two separate supervised release violation cases with underlying felon in possession charges. Law enforcement has attempted to arrest Jones multiple times. The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Warm Springs Police Department, Hood River Police Department, and Wasco County Sheriff’s Office participated in the search for Jones.
Jones made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley 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.
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