PENDLETON – On May 17, the Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team in collaboration with the Pendleton Police Department, Oregon State Police, Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office, FBI and DEA served three search warrants in Pendleton. Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts issued a written statement explaining the days events at 5:30 p.m. that evening.
The first warrant was served at Wicked Kitty Tattoo & Piercing on S Main Street. Owner Jason Lybrand was arrested and lodged on probation violations.
The second warrant was served at Thur’s Smoke Shop on SW Emigrant Ave. Owner Bryson Thurman and employee Cody Servi were arrested and lodged on probable cause affidavits charging Delivery of Controlled Substances and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Products. According to Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts, substantial quantities of marijuana and marijuana extracts packaged for sale were also seized.
The third warrant was served on a private residence. Michael Hamilton was arrested and lodged on a probable cause affidavit charging multiple counts of Possession of Controlled Substances, Delivery of Controlled Substances, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and Frequenting a place where controlled substances are used.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional charges will likely occur once the items seized are forensically tested, the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office has the opportunity to review the facts and circumstances, and the cases are presented to a Umatilla County Grand Jury.
BENT is multi-jurisdictional drug task force comprised of detectives from the Pendleton Police Department, Hermiston Police Department, Boardman Police Department, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, Milton-Freewater Police Department, Oregon State Police, FBI, and Morrow County Sheriff’s Office.
UPDATE: Mugshot added for Michael Hamilton. 05/17/2017 11:45 p.m.