Connect with us

Oregon

Nearly 18,000 young salmon died after a vandal poured bleach into a Douglas County fish hatchery tank, officials said

Published

on

Eugene, OR – According to the state officials, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 20-year-old Joshua Heckathorn and lodged him at the Douglas County Jail on charges of Burglary II, Criminal Trespass and Criminal Mischief.

According to an agency news release, on Apr. 23, a DCSO patrol deputy saw Heckathorn walking south along Highway 101, then encountered him again that evening behind a locked gate in the hatchery facility.

Heckathorn admitted to trespassing on the property, entering a storage location, and handling the chemical bottle on Monday.

In a cooperative law enforcement effort, DCSO and Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division will collaborate efforts to address both vandalism on the property and a significant poaching incident, according to OSP F&W Sergeant Levi Harris.

Poaching charges will include Unlawful Taking Chinook Salmon for 17,890 fish, which raised the charge to a Class C felony.

Courts have the authority to multiply that amount by the number of fish taken, with a judgement in this case potentially raising the amount to over $13 million, according to Sergeant Harris. 

You may also like…

Eugene2 days ago

Oregon Sen. Merkley warns of “major danger for our Republic” as he accuses President Trump of seeking to block states from certifying election results after DOJ targets Alaska Senate race

Oregon – Sen. Jeff Merkley is warning that President Donald Trump could seek to prevent states from certifying election results...

Eugene2 days ago

Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Drazan takes aim at Gov. Kotek over $96,000 ODOT hiring contract, tells her to leave the hiring to her in January

Oregon – Oregon Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan is criticizing Gov. Tina Kotek over the state’s decision to spend $96,000...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene firefighters battle four-hour blaze that engulfed large rural home as difficult access and lack of fire hydrants complicate response

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews spent approximately four hours battling a fire that engulfed a large, two-story home...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responds to hazardous materials incident after chemical reaction overheats industrial equipment and releases gases

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a hazardous materials incident at an industrial facility in West Eugene...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene police invite families to free Halloween ‘Candy with a Cop’ event featuring trick-or-treating, police vehicles and first responders

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department is inviting families to a free Halloween event on Sunday, Oct. 25, where...

Eugene2 days ago

 33-year-old man arrested after ramming vehicles, punching officer in the face and slashing another with a knife

Eugene, OR – Eugene police arrested a 33-year-old man early Friday after he allegedly rammed parked vehicles, punched an officer...

Eugene4 days ago

Oregon Sen. Wyden warns over Trump administration plan for migrant children, says HHS lawyers could represent kids facing deportation while working for the same government seeking to remove them

Oregon – Oregon Sen. Wyden urges Trump administration to reverse plan for HHS attorneys to represent unaccompanied migrant children, warning...

Eugene4 days ago

Gov. Kotek warns Oregonians their ballots could be delayed this November as she urges them to make sure their signatures are correct before mailing them

Oregon – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is urging voters to make sure their mail-in ballots are signed clearly before returning...

Eugene4 days ago

Large rural home destroyed in overnight fire near Eugene as firefighters battle flames for four hours

Eugene, OR – A large, two-story home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at a rural property in...

Eugene4 days ago

Eugene police investigate theft of elderly woman’s dog after group returns to take border collie while she was sleeping

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department is investigating the theft of a companion animal after a 73-year-old woman reported...

Eugene4 days ago

Eugene man arrested on kidnapping warrant after refusing to stop for police and driving toward Walmart entrance during pursuit

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department arrested a man wanted on a felony kidnapping warrant after he allegedly refused...

Trending