Drug investigation leads to two arrests

By on Thursday, January 30th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA โ€” (News release from Walla Walla Regional Drug and Gang Task Force) On January 27, 2025, members of the Walla Walla Regional Drug Gang Task Force and Career Criminal Apprehension Team arrested two Walla Walla residents, Michael D. Conger, 66, and Joseph V. Armstrong, 41, during a traffic stop on Highway 12 near Myra Road in Walla Walla. The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug-related activities.

The investigation began in November 2024 after a suspected overdose incident involving Conger and another individual, James May, at a residence located in the 1200 block of Melrose Street. Both men were revived and transported to the area hospital. In the following months, local law enforcement observed suspicious foot and vehicle traffic at the residence, indicative of drug activity.

On January 21, 2025, the Walla Walla County Sheriffโ€™s Office responded to a controlled substance
investigation at a UPS shipping facility. The investigation, later transferred to the task force, revealed that Conger had delivered a package containing suspected methamphetamine earlier that day. This led Task Force detectives to develop probable cause for Congerโ€™s involvement and obtain a search warrant for his vehicle, other vehicles he had recently driven, and his residence in the 1200 block of Melrose Street.

On January 27, 2025, detectives stopped one of Congerโ€™s vehicles on Highway 12. Conger was a
passenger , with Armstrong behind the wheel. Conger was arrested on probable cause related to the UPS incident, while Armstrong was arrested for possession of dangerous weapons. Both men were booked into the Walla Walla County Jail.

During the search of the individuals, law enforcement found the following items:

  • Conger: 22.17 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
  • Armstrong: Brass knuckles, a spring blade knife, flare gun, and 1.23 grams of suspected
    methamphetamine

Following the arrests, detectives executed search warrants at Congerโ€™s residence and Armstrongโ€™s
rented bedroom:

Conger, 1200 block of Melrose Street:

  • 4.54 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms
  • 1.675 pounds of dried cannabis
  • 314.66 grams of suspected methamphetamine (.69 pounds)
  • Notebooks and drug ledgers
  • 85 unused Ziploc baggies in various sizes
  • 3 digital scales

Armstrong, 700 block of S. 1st Avenue:

  • 541.27 grams of suspected methamphetamine (1.19 Pounds)
  • Numerous unused baggies
  • 3 digital scales
  • 1 Walther 9mm pistol with one magazine and 46 rounds of 9mm ammunition
    Additionally, two vehicles were seized and searched in connection with the investigation.
  • 908.12 grams of suspected methamphetamine and drug ledger were located.

In total, approximately 4 pounds of suspected methamphetamine were seized during the investigation, along with multiple vehicles pending forfeiture.

The final charges for the two men are as follows:
Conger: Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver (Meth)
Armstrong: Possession of a Dangerous Weapon x 2, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth).
Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver (Meth) x 2, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

The Walla Walla Regional Drug Gang Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional team consisting of detectives from the Walla Walla Police Department, College Place Police Department, Walla Walla County Sheriffโ€™s Office, and the Washington State Department of Corrections.

No further information will be released at this time.