Post by: jackelope on March 06, 2014, 08:00:20 AM
Based on the initial report, Sgt. Christensen enlisted the aid of Communications Officers in WILDCOMM (the WDFW Police dispatch center) to begin mining data from several resources to identify three of the four suspects, as well as several associates. During their research, the COs were also able to determine that the primary suspect was a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing any firearms.
Next, Sgt. Christensen and Officer Day obtained critical background information by driving through the area in an undercover vehicle. In fact, while driving through, the Officers were actually contacted and harassed by one of the suspects who, like many people living ‘off the grid’ in the area, are extremely wary of visitors they do not recognize (side note: to illustrate this point, a grouse hunter from Hoquiam died on Pontiac Ridge last September after allegedly being shot and killed by a sniper at a nearby cabin).
Sgt. Christensen spent many long hours compiling and organizing all of the information he had received into a search warrant affidavit. After burning the midnight oil, Sgt. Christensen presented the affidavit the next morning to a judge who determined probable cause existed for three warrants involving three different properties.
Next, a raid plan was developed. Sgt. Klump dropped what he was doing to drive up from Chelan to assist Sgt. Christensen, Fish and Wildlife Officers Day and Treser, and two Okanogan County Sheriff’s Deputies in executing the search warrants. Upon searching the first two properties, Officers found the first of two closed season turkeys that had been killed with a rifle, as well as a male convicted felon who had a firearm. At the third residence, which belonged to the primary suspect, Officers encountered a man who lied about his identity. However, after determining his real name, Officers found that he had three outstanding felony warrants for his arrest, including escape from community custody and failure to register as a sex offender. The suspect also had two additional misdemeanor warrants, and had been on the run as a fugitive for the past three years.
As a result of the search, Officers recovered four loaded firearms, an illegal deer carcass, seven turkey carcasses, an authentic- looking replica of a U.S. Marshal badge, and ammunition for the weapons. One of the suspects claimed that a seized 7mm rifle belonged to his wife. However, during the initial investigation, Officer McCormick made a very acute observation that the 7mm rifle had a side saddle set up for a left-handed shooter – the recoil from such a large caliber weapon would make it very uncomfortable to shoot right-handed. It was also noted that the suspect signed his seizure forms with his left hand.
Officers also found that the suspects were illegally brewing alcohol in the kitchen with an illegal still, and determined that they were selling the brew to friends in the local area.
All in all, Sgt. Christensen booked the primary suspect on 49 charges, including failure to register as a sex offender, unlawful possession of a firearm in the 1st degree, making a false or misleading statement to police, hunting without licenses or tags, exceeding the bag limit on turkeys, possession of turkeys closed season, and hunting with an unlawful firearm.
The suspects reportedly felt that the remoteness of the area in which they were conducting their illegal activities would “protect them from law enforcement.” Apparently they forgot that remote locations are a Fish and Wildlife Officer's specialty!
Kudos to Sgt. Christensen for making an excellent case! Sgt. Christensen also wishes to extend his appreciation to Sgt. Klump and the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, as well as our WILDCOMM Communications
Post by: boneaddict on March 06, 2014, 08:02:21 AM
Thanks for the info! :tup:
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 06, 2014, 08:03:48 AM
Post by: quadrafire on March 06, 2014, 08:05:14 AM
49 charges. LOL
What a Loser
Post by: turkeydancer on March 06, 2014, 08:10:51 AM
Post by: dfresh96 on March 06, 2014, 08:19:42 AM
Post by: baldopepper on March 06, 2014, 08:26:20 AM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on March 06, 2014, 09:04:34 AM
Post by: kevinlisa06 on March 06, 2014, 08:37:13 PM
Post by: PA BEN on March 08, 2014, 08:48:02 AM
Post by: GEARHEAD on March 08, 2014, 02:34:00 PM
Post by: MIKEXRAY on March 10, 2014, 03:35:45 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 11, 2014, 07:14:33 AM
Soap on a rope for you losers!!!
Post by: Knocker of rocks on March 11, 2014, 07:49:31 AM
Post by: rtspring on March 11, 2014, 07:53:23 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 11, 2014, 06:24:37 PM
Great! But their rifle thinking is way off course.. A left handed rifle dont hurt anymore shooting from the right side. All my guns are right handed but U shoot them all left handed..
It would if your side saddle put a row of shells against your cheek as you shot.
It seems they were noting that the 7mm had a side saddle of shells on the wrong cheek of the gun for a right handed shooter....indicating a left handed shooter was using the gun...... And the suspect signed with his left hand...
Post by: KimberRich on March 27, 2014, 11:38:29 AM
I have yet to go up on Pontiac Ridge but hunt near it and have been told many stories from my hunting partners about the infamous Pontiac Ridge and the reception from the residents.
I purchased some property on an adjacent mountain and when I knocked on some "doors" (some were buses converted to homes) to introduce myself as the new neighbor.. I got more "What the F*** do you want" than "Nice to meet you neighbor". :chuckle:
Post by: JKEEN33 on March 27, 2014, 12:32:34 PM
Nice work to the officers.
I have yet to go up on Pontiac Ridge but hunt near it and have been told many stories from my hunting partners about the infamous Pontiac Ridge and the reception from the residents.
I purchased some property on an adjacent mountain and when I knocked on some "doors" (some were buses converted to homes) to introduce myself as the new neighbor.. I got more "What the F*** do you want" than "Nice to meet you neighbor". :chuckle:
Pretty common in the area to get that kind of welcome. Brother in laws family has property off Nicholson Creek Rd. I have also met some really great people in the area, so it's like everywhere take the good with the bad.
Post by: Gringo31 on March 27, 2014, 02:16:13 PM
Love hearing stories like this!