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At approximately 7:04 PM on September 9, 2020 the Junction City Police Department responded to the area of Noraton Road & Lingo Lane just north of Junction City for a report of illegal fireworks. It was reported that a mortar-type firework had been discharged in the area.
The investigation revealed that the subject responsible for igniting the firework had left the area on a motorcycle prior to officers arriving. Officers were able to immediately locate the suspect at a store in Junction City.
The suspect was identified as Milton Loice Moran Jr, 48, of Junction City.
Mr. Moran admitted to igniting the firework and acknowledged that he knew how dangerous it was due to the dry weather conditions. The firework was discharged approximately one (1) foot from Mr. Moran’s carpentry shop which was surrounded by a thick amount of sawdust and other pieces of wood that could easily burn. The shop was also in close proximity to another residence.
Additional mortars were seized from Mr. Moran’s residence.
Mr. Moran was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges:
163.195 RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON – two counts
811.182 DRIVING WHILE FELONY SUSPENDED
With multiple level 2 and level 3 evacuations due to vegetation fires across the state of Oregon from extreme heat and wind we were very fortunate that the discharge of the firework did not ignite an additional fire. The discharge of the firework had the potential of setting a fire that could have cost millions of dollars in damage as well as loss of life.
The police department wants to extend a sincere thanks to the alert citizens that heard the firework and immediately reported it to police, which allowed the suspect to be located before additional fireworks were discharged.