Pipe bomb found in traffic stop
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – A routine traffic stop outside Milton-Freewater late Thursday
ended with an arrest after the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office discovered what
appeared to be an explosive device in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, Morgan
Leanne Smeltzer, 30, was the sole occupant.
Smeltzer was arrested for two outstanding warrants, one of which was a felony warrant,
and charged with driving while suspended and driving without insurance as a result of
the stop by Deputy Trever Limburg. Deputy Anthony Scott assisted and while
conducting an inventory of the vehicle discovered an item that resembled a pipe bomb
in the glove compartment. The deputies backed away, secured the scene, and called in
the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad.
The bomb squad arrived at about 2 a.m. Friday and confirmed the device was filled with
what was then an unknown substance after scanning it with X-ray technology. The
device was removed from the vehicle safely and it was determined to be explosive.
OSP reports the device was rendered harmless. The vehicle was then searched to
ensure it was safe to tow.
UCSO is forwarding a report to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office for
consideration of an additional charge of possession of a destructive device against
Meltzer.
