Illegal Burn in Central Oregon, Aug. 14

On Monday August 13, 2018 at about 2:30pm, the U.S. Forest Service investigated an illegal burn at a primitive campsite located in the Deschutes National Forest off of Forest Service Road 9702, (Benham Falls Road), near the Lava Lands Visitor Center.  The burn site was estimated at ¼ acre and evidence of drug use was located at the scene.  A suspect was contacted by a U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) and the suspect initially gave a false name and fled the scene shortly after in a teal 1993 Ford Escort Wagon.  The U.S. Forest Service LEO was able to capture the vehicle plate and disseminate that information to local area partner agencies. Oregon State Police Troopers and Deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office began an area search for the outstanding suspects involved in this incident.  At about 4:00pm, the Deschutes County 911 Center received a report of a rolling domestic disturbance near 3rd Street and NE Franklin Avenue in Bend.  The vehicle reported matched the teal Ford Escort from the previous reckless burning incident.  Officers from Bend Police Department and OSP located and stopped the Ford Escort. The male driver, later identified as 43 year old Bend resident Benjamin Noah Osborn, was positively identified as the suspect.  Osborn and his female passenger, identified as 28 year old Redding California resident, Kaleigh Thompson were both transported to a Bend area hospital for evaluation for concerns of drug use. Osborn was later lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on charges of DUII – Controlled Substance; Possession of a Controlled Substance – Heroin; Giving False Information to Police; Fail to Register as a Sex Offender; and Fugitive from Justice on an Outstanding Arrest Warrant issued from California.  Citations were also issued by the U.S. Forest Service for Illegal Burning and Giving False Information to Police. The Oregon State Police, U.S. Forest Service and all First Responders urge the public to use extreme caution during the fire restriction season to prevent risk to life and public and private property damage.