Drug raid also nets guns, cash, and wanted felons

Take a look at why neighbors say they’re glad law enforcement made an early-morning visit to this secluded Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood house …

In pre-dawn darkness, members of the Portland Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) roll into the area.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The residence at 3124 SE 131st Avenue is on a “flag lot”, and is well-hidden by other houses, and a stand of trees.

While they couldn’t directly see what was going on at this house, many neighbors believed it to be a “drug house” inhabited by “dangerous people”.

“Me and our other neighbors told our kids to stay away,” a neighbor who asked not to be identified told East Portland News, after law enforcement officials carried out a pre-dawn raid on the outer East Portland property on February 10.

“It sounded like we were in a Hollywood movie – there were explosions and flashes of light going off, and these guys with big guns charged up to the house,” the neighbor related.

Armed with “flash-bang” rounds, the SERT officers prepare to storm the house, as they serve a Search Warrant.

At about 5:00 a.m. that morning, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Special Investigations Unit (SIU), assisted by Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) SERT, executed a search warrant in a drug investigation at the house, confirmed MCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Steve Alexander.

“First, PPB SERT executed the search warrant and loud-hailed the house for the occupants to come out of the home,” Alexander said. “During this process, SERT officers fired Sage Impact Rounds at multiple surveillance cameras around the home to disable them.”

The occupants surrendered to police without further incident and were detained for questioning, Alexander added. “Seven people were detained during the search. Two were released at the scene, and five were taken into custody.”

Law enforcement officials seize drugs, cash, and guns during the raid. MCSO photo

During the search of the residence approximately 2 oz of Methamphetamine was seized, along with two guns, two rifles, and one shotgun – plus drug scales, packaging materials, and approximately $14,000 in cash.

“A large collection of stolen Oregon identifications, driver’s licenses, and several passports were also confiscated,” Alexander added. “One individual was also taken for evaluation to a local hospital after complaining of stomach pains when the house was being searched.”

31-year-old Crystal Lynn Tuell and 32-year-old Ruby Jay Johnson are under arrest and being held on outstanding warrants. MCDC booking photo

Arrested on outstanding Parole Violation warrants were 31-year-old Crystal Lynn Tuell and 32-year-old Ruby Jay Johnson. Johnson was also charged as Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Class C Felony. Both Tuell and Johnson remain in custody, without bond, at Multnomah County Inverness Jail.

41-year-old John Henry Jeska is under arrest on drug and gun charges. MCDC booking photo

Also booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) was 41-year-old John Henry Jeska, who was jailed on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), and Felon in possession of Firearm. Jeska is also on a “County Hold” at Inverness Jail, with bail set at $250,000.

Carey Ann Dedolph, age 39, is under arrest on drug charges as a consequence of the raid. MCDC booking photo

39-year-old Carey Ann Dedolph was arrested and arraigned on two charges, Possession of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), and Delivery of Controlled Substance (methamphetamine). She remains at Inverness Jail in lieu of combined bail of $55,000.

54-year-old Hugh Thomas Shepard was arrested for Heroin Possession, but was released later the same day. MCDC booking photo

According to public records, 54-year-old Hugh Thomas Shepard is the registered owner of the house where the raid took place. Shepard was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance (Heroin).

However, later that afternoon, Shepard was “Released on His Own Recognizance”, and was free to return to his home.

“I can’t believe that that guy is already out of jail,” a neighbor protested, when East Portland News visited the area. “He’s had all kinds of not-so-good people ‘camping’ here. We’ll have to keep up our guard.”

MSCO’s Alexander commented, “This investigation was due to the chronic complaints received regarding this property.”

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