Three people face are in jail facing drug charges following a drug bust on Wednesday in Hermiston.
On Aug. 15 around 10 a.m., members of the Blue Mountain Enforcement Narcotics Team (BENT) and Hermiston Police Department served a search warrant at 1100 W. Sunland Avenue in Hermiston. Approximately 37 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 28 grams of unknown pills and four firearms were seized at the scene.
Two small children who were also at the scene were taken into protective custody and removed by the Oregon Department of Human Services-Child Protective Service. Additional charges of alleged first-degree child neglect will also be recommended to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office for their review, according to Cpt. Scott Clark of the HPD.
Suzun Ka Patterson, 51, of Hermiston, Tausha Lynn Patterson, 28, of Hermiston, and Gene Ray Ball, 32, of Lexington, were all subsequently arrested as a result of the warrant service and later lodged at the Umatilla County Jail for the following alleged charges:
Suzun Ka Patterson – Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine; Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine; Frequenting a Place where Controlled Substances are Used.
Tausha Lynn Patterson – Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine; Frequenting a Place where Controlled Substances are Used; Felon in Possession of a Weapon.
Gene Ray Ball – Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine; Frequenting a Place where Controlled Substances are Used; Felon in Possession of a Weapon.
“This property has been an ongoing nuisance problem for our community for quite some time, and its occupants have caused horrible livability issues for neighbors in and around that area,” said Clark. “The property is now owned by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and we are currently working with them in getting it posted as part of our Trespass Enforcement Authorization program.”
BENT consists of members of the Oregon State Police, Hermiston Police Department, Pendleton Police Department, Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Boardman Police Department, Milton-Freewater Police Department, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“We thank them for all of their hard work and commitment in combating the constant and ever-growing drug problems within our communities,” Clark said.
