An Oregon State Police traffic stop led to the arrest of a Sweet Home man last week on drug and theft charges and the recovery of stolen firearms.
At approximately 8:20 a.m. on Oct. 28, OSP Major Richard Evans was southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 266 in an unmarked OSP vehicle when he stopped a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado for allegedly driving recklessly at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
The driver, Justin Edward Egner, 34, of Sweet Home, was wanted on two outstanding misdemeanor warrants out of Linn County, according to the OSP. After seeing an SKS-style rifle tucked between the front passenger seat and the center console, Evans requested additional OSP assistance.
An OSP senior trooper and recruit trooper arrived to assist. Police arrested Egner without incident for the two outstanding warrants. Egner was later lodged in Marion County Jail.
The traffic stop led to an investigation involving detectives from the OSP Drug Enforcement and Criminal Investigations Division sections, with the assistance of Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Sweet Home Police Department.
The investigation led to search warrants and the recovery of multiple firearms from Egner’s vehicle and his home on Pleasant Valley Road.
Police located 10 firearms, including three loaded handguns and several guns confirmed as stolen inside the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, according to the OSP. Troopers also found small amounts of cocaine, amphetamines, marijuana, more than $7,800 in cash, other evidence and miscellaneous stolen property. At Egner’s residence, police found 25 additional firearms, including several more stolen guns, and additional stolen property, including a gun safe. Police also found cocaine and more than 1.5 pounds of marijuana.
Egner was transferred to Linn County Jail on his outstanding warrants and also charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, three counts of theft by receiving and reckless driving. He was cited for driving while suspended; exceeding the speed limit, 100 mph in a 65 mph zone; and driving uninsured.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.
Sweet Home police have had five contacts with Egner since 2004, Police Chief Bob Burford said. One resulted in an arrest on a warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of providing false information to a police officer.
Others include different cases and a non-injury motor vehicle crash.
One of the firearms recovered from Egner’s residence was reported stolen in a Sweet Home theft case, Burford said.