During an investigation, Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit officers developed information Eugene resident Michael Thomas Russell, age 43, was involved in the distribution of narcotics in the Eugene area and was also in possession of and selling firearms. Russell is a convicted felon and barred from possessing firearms. Russell also had an outstanding warrant as well as an open domestic violence case. An SCU Officer applied for and a judge signed a search warrant for Russell’s residence in the 1700 block of Gilham Street. EPD SWAT, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and EPD K9, Crisis Negotiation, and Drone teams collaborated to serve the warrant and Russell was safely taken into custody. SCU’s search yielded a stolen and loaded 9mm handgun, nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine, and evidence of distribution of narcotics.
Russell was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges:
Commercial Drug Offense- Methamphetamine
Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Assault 4- Abuse Prevention Act (Existing Case)
Parole Violation Warrant
SCU is funded by the City of Eugene’s Community Safety Payroll Tax and works in concert with communities to help solve issues. The unit focuses on prolific offenders, who are identified through intelligence-based policing, public tips, and other sources. They proactively respond across the city to quality-of-life issues as they arise, using all available resources and partners such as community groups, neighborhood associations and city services. SCU is dedicated to targeting immediate and acute community safety system issues while working toward mission-critical enhancements that need to be addressed through a longer-term and broader community safety initiative.
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