Update: Hermiston barricade ends in arrests
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
News release from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office: On Monday, February 26th, 2024 the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the US Marshal’s Service, attempted to locate Jesse Jay Focht, 30 years of age, who was the subject of an outstanding warrant stemming from his involvement in an incident in the Tri-Cities, WA area. Focht is known to frequent the Hermiston area.
At approximately 2:30 pm, As a result of their search for Focht, UCSO Deputies and US Marshal’s observed him at a residence, 559 E. Autumn Ave, Hermiston. When Deputies and Marshal’s attempted to arrest Focht, he fled into the residence. With assistance from the Oregon State Police and Hermiston Police Department, the residence was secured pending a search warrant. In cooperation with the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office, a search warrant was applied for and granted.
Due to safety concerns, the Oregon State Police SWAT team was also requested to respond to the location. For the next several hours, repeated attempts to get Focht to come out of the residence peacefully of his own accord. Police negotiators repeatedly attempted communications with no response. The area was maintained by law enforcement, and coordination with the Hermiston School District and Mid-Columbia Bus to ensure the safety of the public throughout the course of this operation. Multiple attempts continued throughout the operation to communicate with Focht to gain compliance, with negative results.
Eventually the residence was breached, and a cursory search for Focht was conducted via SWAT specialty equipment, with negative results. After several more attempts to call out for Focht’s compliance, a second breaching and partial entry took place. Shortly after 10:00 pm, Focht was taken into custody without further incident. Emilee Lyn Wagoner, 24 years of age, is known to accompany Focht, and was also at the residence during this time. Wagoner had an outstanding warrant for her arrest and was taken into custody as well, without incident. Both Focht and Wagoner were transported and lodged at the Umatilla County Jail on the outstanding warrants. This incident was safely resolved through the collaborative efforts of all Agencies involved. There are no further concerns at this time, regarding any threat to public safety stemming from this incident.
Posted earlier:
HERMISTON – Details remain sparse, but the report of a subject barricaded in his home in Hermiston ended late Monday night with no injuries.
Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division Capt. Paul Wolverton says his office, the U.S. Marshals, the Oregon State Police, and the Hermiston Police Department located a fugitive who refused to come out of a residence on Johnson Lane and surrender.
At the time of the incident, Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston says his officers were working perimeter security and not directly involved. The OSP SWAT team was requested. After what Wolverton said were several hours of attempting to call out Jesse Jay Focht, the residence was breached.
Wolverton says that Focht and a female companion were taken to the Umatilla County Jail without further incident. He did not identify the female. Focht is charged with a felony fugitive arrest warrant, a felon parole violation, being a felon in possession of a weapon, and misdemeanor menacing.
