Medford Man Indicted, Lodged on 12 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A report of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on a mobile device led to the arrest of a 29-year-old Medford man. A Jackson County Grand Jury returned an indictment Tuesday on all charges. The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team and Medford Police Department had arrested the suspect Thursday, July 23rd at a residence in the 800 block of Bennett Avenue. The suspect, Jonathan Daniel Marquez, 29, of Medford, is charged with two counts of First Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse, and 10 counts of Second Degree Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. SOCET began their investigation after MPD received a report of CSAM on a mobile device which led to subpoenas, followed by a search warrant at the residence. The Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force assisted in the investigation.
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BCC Approved IGA's Contracts, Invoices, Met in Executive Session at Workshop
The Board of Commissioners approved intergovernmental agreements, contracts, and invoices during their County Administration Workshop. Public Work's requested Advisory Board Appointments to three local agencies: Rogue Valley Commission on Transportation, Solid Waste Agency, and the Middle Rogue Metropolitan Planning Organization. The board approved the request, and the purchase of four Operation Division Replacement trucks. Also approved was an amendment reflecting a cost increase on the Wolf Creek Bridge project set for 2027. Public Works will pick up about $284,000 of the cost. The board moved 3-0 for Transit's Designation of Signature Authority for the Finance Director. A Department of Human Services Intergovernmental Agreement providing rides to eligible individuals, with the marginal cost charged to the Federal Government was also approved. Following an Airport Update, an FAA Grant Agreement for $2,759,417 covering the bridge loan motion was unanimous. The grant will fund an approved Knife River Materials project contract.
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Systemic Search for Remaining Hotspots Continues on East Evans Creek Fire
Firefighters continued steady progress across the East Evans Creek Fire Monday, with crews focused on gridding the area to locate and extinguish any remaining hotspots. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, firefighters took advantage of overnight humidity recoveries to continue mop-up operations while an Uncrewed Aircraft System mapped remaining heat across the fire. The fire remains at 15,580 acres and 66% contained. Three chippers are working throughout the incident processing brush and small trees cut during suppression efforts. Crews are removing equipment from areas where it is no longer needed. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the fire area daily until further notice. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire is illegal. It compromises the safety of both pilots and firefighters, and interferes with firefighting efforts. According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, all Level 1: BE READY to evacuate notifications for the East Evans Creek Fire have been canceled. All road closures are lifted but please be cautious as fire personnel are still in the area.
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