OSP Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of 400 Counterfeit CDs and DVDs

An Oregon State Police (OSP) traffic stop early Monday morning about five miles north of Roseburg led to the arrest of two California man and the recovery of 400 suspected counterfeit audio CDs and DVDs.

According to OSP Sergeant Steve Mitchell, on May 25, 2009 at approximately 12:33 a.m. Trooper Dan Wells stopped a 1995 Dodge Neon four-door displaying California license plates southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 130 for an equipment violation. During the stop the two occupants were identified as driver JAQUIN BELLO CHACON, age 23, and passenger MARIO CONTRERAS FLORES, age 19, both from San Jose, California.

Subsequent investigation during the stop led to the discovery of 397 counterfeit audio CDs, all Hispanic recording artists, and 3 counterfeit DVDs. The two subjects were aware the seized evidence were counterfeit and advised they were returning to California from Portland where they had sold approximately 40 CDs.

BELLO CHACON and CONTRERAS FLORES were lodged in Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

* Unlawful Sound Recording
* Unlawful Labeling of a Sound Recording
* Unlawful Videotape Recording
* Theft in the Second Degree

Photograph Sources:
Douglas County Sheriff's Office – Mugshots
Oregon State Police – CDs / DVDs

CHECK JACKSON COUNTY-AREA BOAT RAMPS

OSP AND ODFW CHECK JACKSON COUNTY-AREA BOAT RAMPS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT INTRODUCING INVASIVE SPECIES IN WATERWAYS

Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) conducted boat ramp checks at various Jackson County-area lakes this Memorial Day holiday weekend to detect and prevent invasive non-native aquatic species from being introduced into waterways in the Rogue River valley. The partnership effort, led by OSP Senior Trooper Jim Collom, is part of a cooperative enforcement plan throughout the summer with ODFW to help provide information about the invasive species' potential harm and the consequences of bringing live fish in or out of the waterways.

The first area ramp checks started Saturday, May 23rd, when Senior Trooper Collom and ODFW's Assistance District Fish Biologist David Haight checked boats and boat trailers at ramps at Lost Creek Lake, Takelma, and Joseph Stewart State Park. They checked anglers at Stewart and Takelma ramps to ensure there were no live fish being used as bait. They also looked at boats and trailers to ensure there were no invasive species attached such as mussels or aquatic plants that may have come from other water bodies.

Senior Trooper Collom estimated they talked to about 40 boaters and at least the same number of anglers at the boat ramps, detecting only boat violations for which warnings were issued. Boaters were given information about the potential harm with invasive species, the consequences of bringing in live fish or bringing out live fish, and the various forms of invasive species including Zebra muscles, mudsnails and Hydrilla.

For more information about what you can do to help ensure our waters are not invaded by unwanted aquatic species you can contact Senior Trooper Jim Collom at OSP's Central Point office at (541) 776-6114 ext 392.

Goliath Dead

Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division investigation into the killing of a trophy class Blacktail deer buck in the Grants Pass area led to wildlife-related charges against a Grants Pass man.

On November 21, 2008, OSP Senior Trooper Brad Bennett started an investigation into the circumstances that "Goliath", a well-known trophy class 6x8 point Blacktail deer known to roam during the last 5 years in the Applegate unit near Grants Pass, was illegally killed. An anonymous tip that the deer's antlers were at a local taxidermist shop helped start the investigation.

The follow-up investigation led OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers to contact the taxidermist and seize the antlers. The investigation alleges "Goliath", who was known to visit and graze in the backyards of local residents, was killed around November 15th by an archery hunter. A search warrant was served at the suspect's Grants Pass residence on May 11th where additional evidence was seized pursuant to the investigation.

The suspect, JOHN JOSEPH COSTELLO, age 54, was cited by Senior Trooper Bennett to appear in Josephine County Circuit Court on the following wildlife offenses:

* Unlawful Taking Blacktail Deer
* Unlawful Hunting – Prohibited Method
* No Valid Deer Tag

Anyone with additional information to assist in this investigation is asked to contact Senior Trooper Bennett at (541) 955-6374.

Photograph – "Goliath"

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