5 individuals arrested in drug investigation led by Baker City Police Department
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
BAKER CITY – Multiple drug-and-firearms-related investigations were concluded by the Baker City Police Department recently, following the arrest of five individuals. Baker City Police Chief Ty Duby issued a press release on Tuesday. Find in in full below:
(Press Release from the Baker City Police Department)
On June 17th, 2026, Baker City Police Detectives culminated an investigation into Zachary Lee Suitter with a traffic stop and search warrant that led to the discovery of approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine, items indicative of narcotics trafficking and a Glock 19 pistol that did not have a serial number. These guns are what is commonly referred to as “Ghost guns”. Mr. Suiter was on felony probation for a charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine out of Malheur County, Oregon. He additionally had a federal arrest warrant out for his arrest for violating terms of a release agreement stemming from a federal gun and drug charge.
Mr. Suitter was lodged in the Baker County jail for the federal warrant and then transferred to Portland, Oregon where he remains in custody. His local narcotics and gun possession charges in Baker County will be presented to a Baker County Grand Jury.
On Thursday, July 30th, 2026, multiple criminal indictments were issued due to information presented to a Baker County Grand Jury from the Baker City Police Department Detective Unit.
SKIP CHARLES SUITTER, age 39, was indicted for the following:
- One count each of Unlawful delivery and possession of cocaine
- Two counts each of Unlawful delivery and possession of methamphetamine
- One count of Unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun
These indictments stem from an extensive investigation conducted by the Baker City Police Department. At the conclusion of the investigation police seized over 1 pound of methamphetamine, over 1 ounce of cocaine and a short-barreled shotgun. Mr. Suitter was initially lodged at the Baker County jail on July 1, 2026, for several drug related charges.
Additional charges on Suiter were then presented to the Baker County Grand Jury.
During this investigation police identified a shop located at 2798 17th Street where Mr. Suiter spent time. Residing in the shop was Joel Michael Carnahan, age, 47. On July 14th, 2026, Mr. Carnahan was arrested on two outstanding felony warrants. One out of Malheur County, Oregon and one out of Idaho.
SAMMY GARCIA JR, age 41, was indicted for the following:
- One count each of Unlawful delivery and possession methamphetamine
- One count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm
- Two counts of being a felon in possession of a restricted weapon (brass knuckles) (Switchblade knife).
These indictments stem from an investigation by Baker City Police detectives that culminated in a search warrant being executed at the Elm Street Apartments where Mr. Garcia was residing. At the conclusion of the search warrant Mr. Garcia was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a post-prison violation as well as charges of attempting to elude police and reckless driving. The elude and reckless driving charges stem from an attempted traffic stop of Mr. Garcia by a Baker City officer several weeks prior. Evidence of narcotics trafficking was located inside the apartment during the search warrant.
STACEY LEE BORK, age 37, was indicted for the following:
- One count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine
This indictment stemmed from the investigation into Sammy Garcia Jr, because of the search warrant executed at Mr. Garcia’s residence. Mr. Bork was located and found to be in possession of methamphetamine.
On August 4th, 2026, Detectives and patrol officers with Baker City Police executed a search warrant at 1015 Bridge Street in Baker City in order to locate and arrest Aubrey Scott Fryman. Mr. Fryman had felony warrants out for his arrest from Union County for felon in possession of a firearm, eluding police and recklessly endangering. Mr. Fryman had been eluding police for over a year. Baker City Police detective unit took on the task of locating him. He was found hiding in the residence and taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Baker County Jail.
One of the primary missions of the Baker City Police Department Detective Unit is to investigate drug use and drug trafficking within the local community and to disrupt and dismantle mid- to upper-level drug trafficking organizations and individuals. These efforts help reduce violent crime and provide valuable intelligence and investigative resources to local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Detectives assigned to these investigations are members of the Baker County Major Crime Team and regularly collaborate with outside agencies and task forces to accomplish this mission.
Chief Ty Duby
Baker City Police Department
