WA man faces drug charges in two Oregon counties

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HEPPNER – Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson says Jamey Shane Thomas was arrested last week on drug distribution charges after he was stopped on Interstate 84 for speeding and driving erratically. Police determined he was under the influence of intoxicants other than alcohol.

Nelson said officers saw small packs of narcotics near the console of Thomas’ vehicle and applied for a search warrant.

“Further search located three guns in a lock box and additional drugs, including 45 grams of heroin,” Nelson said.

That search also turned up about 10 grams each of cocaine and methamphetamine. That prompted the district attorney to charge Thomas with distribution of narcotics. He said law enforcement doesn’t have to physically witness a sale to charge distribution. Sometimes, the amount is the giveaway since drug addicts usually don’t buy in bulk.

“A personal amount for many drug users might be just one, two, or three grams,” Nelson said. “Maybe, if they have a little bit more money they have five to six grams.”

Nelson determined that a narcotics case was open against Thomas in neighboring Gilliam County as well. He notified officials there who reactivated their charges. However, Thomas was able to post bail in both cases.

Jamey Thomas’ driver license photo supplied by Umatilla County Jail