By Garrett Christensen on Friday, June 7th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE — (Release from the Union County Sherriff’s Office)
On June 5th, 2024, The Union County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant located at 2705 ยฝ Birch St in La Grande. They also executed the search warrant on a Ford Focus following a traffic stop in the area of Monroe Avenue and Fir Street. The vehicle was included in the search warrant granted by a Union County Judge, but had left the residence prior to Drug Task Force Detectives arriving on scene.
Occupants of the vehicle were Elizabeth โBetsyโ Rose Morgan Willis, DOB: 02/26/1989, of La Grande, and Jace Darrell Clark, DOB: 03/09/1992, of La Grande. The two were detained but ultimately released from the scene due to the quantity of drugs found not being a quantity that would constitute an arrest under Oregon Revised Statute. The vehicle was searched and drug evidence was seized.
The Drug Task Force went to the Birch Street address to complete the execution of the search warrant.
Following a search of the residence a large quantity of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine was discovered at the home, as well as restricted weapons for a felon, including a firearm. After deputies searched the home, Felicia Lavimodiere, who was located in the residence at the time of the search warrant service, was arrested. Lavimodiere, DOB: 09/30/1992, was arrested on charges of frequenting a place where controlled substances are used and possession of a controlled substance as a result of the search warrant.
Additional charges will likely be added, and more arrests are pending upon further investigation.
This is the second time this year the DTF has served a search warrant at this address.
Oregon House Bill 2645 gave law enforcement more standing to charge for illegal drugs. Sheriff Cody Bowen has reinstated the Union County Drug Taskforce and they are actively working toward stopping drug trafficking in Union County.
See previous UCSO search warrant case at https://elkhornmediagroup.com/ucso-confiscate-nearly-3000-worth-of-substances-during-la-grande-search-warrant/