Fugitive Arrest And Subsequent Search Warrant Yields Narcotics And Firearms (Photo) -11/30/17

Date and Time of Incident: 11/29/2017 / 1:55pm Type of Incident: Warrant Arrest / Search Warrant Location of Incident: 196 NW Lee Street, Madras, Oregon Suspect Information: Omar Benitez 37 years of age Madras Resident Ruby Pacheco 25 years of age Madras Resident Summary: Omar Benitez was arrested on four outstanding warrants at 196 NW Lee Street in Madras, Oregon on 11/29/17. A subsequent search warrant was executed at the location yielding commercial quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine and 14 firearms. Benitez was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail. Narrative: In 2016, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team began assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration with a large drug investigation occurring in the Madras and Redmond area. On September 27th, 2017, 12 individuals were arrested as a result of this investigation. The FBI previously released information on these details. This investigation also included the federal indictment of Omar Benitez. However, he was not located on September 27th, 2017. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office also had interest in locating Omar Benitez. Their agency began an attempted murder and kidnapping investigation involving a firearm in August of 2017. Since then an arrest warrant was obtained for him and exhaustive efforts to locate him were unsuccessful. In addition, there were two more warrants for the arrest of Benitez related to methamphetamine possession and felony assault. During the latter part of November of 2017, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team received information that Omar Benitez was frequenting the property at 196 NW Lee Street in Madras, Oregon. On November 29th, 2017, the United States Marshals Service and the Oregon State Police SWAT team began surveillance of the residence. They were able to confirm Benitez had entered into a garage on the property. Members from the United States Marshals Service and the Oregon State Police SWAT team surrounded the garage and challenged Benitez to surrender. Benitez came out and was arrested without incident at 1:55 pm. A female, Ruby Pacheco, also came out of the motorhome and was detained. On this same date, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team obtained a search warrant at 196 NW Lee Street. At about 6:45pm, members of the CODE team executed the warrant. During the execution, commercial quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine were seized, digital scales, packaging material, currency, and 14 firearms; seven handguns and seven rifles. Benitez is a convicted felon and unable to legally possess a firearm. In addition, one of the firearms was reported stolen in Deschutes County. The below charges include those resulting from the search warrant execution. Pacheco was aware Benitez was wanted and hindered his apprehension. Benitez and Pacheco were both lodged at the Jefferson County Jail. Charges: Omar Benitez: 1. Federal Arrest Warrant for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine 2. Jefferson County Circuit Court Arrest Warrant for Kidnap I, Robbery I, Unlawful Use of Weapon, etc. 3. Jefferson County Circuit Court Arrest Warrant for Assault IV, Menacing, Recklessly Endangering Another, and Harassment 4. Jefferson County Circuit Court Arrest Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine 5. Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine 475.894 (felony) 6. Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine 7. Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine 475.890 8. Unlawful Possession of Cocaine 475.884 9. Unlawful Manufacture of Cocaine 475.886 10. Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine 475.880 11. Felon in Possession of a Firearm (14 counts) 166.270 12. Theft I by receiving (stolen firearm) 164.055 Ruby Pacheco: 1. Hindering Prosecution 162.325 The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney's, and the Oregon National Guard. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.