Crime Stoppers tip leads to meth bust - September 3, 2003

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2003-09-29

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CLOUDY Temp: 61 °F Wind: WNW at 5 mph Monday, September 29, 2003   SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries   Life   Opinion - Politics   AP News   Weather   Classified   Archives   Site Map   EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder   RogueValleyHomeFinder   Real Estate Showcase   Wellness Connection   Newspaper in Education   Prime Times   Outdoor Journal   Personals   Movie Times   TV Times   E The People   CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything  E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities   Entertainment   Publications   Recreation   Calendar   ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 3, 2003 Crime Stoppers tip leads to meth bust Police received a tip from a person who read the Crime Stoppers report in Sunday’s Mail Tribune which led to the discovery of a working methamphetamine lab and four arrests. According to Medford police, a citizen called to report that Stephen Wayne Murphy, 44, might be at 205 Chestnut Street in West Medford. A Crime Stoppers description and photo had appeared that morning in the newspaper. According to Medford police Lt. Mike Moran, at 10 p.m. Sunday evening, police not only arrested the suspect, but also three other people and seized a meth lab on the premises. "It was kinda like the jackpot," said Moran. Advertisement Jennifer Ponder, 28, also of 205 Chestnut Street was also arrested for criminal mischief and was lodged in the Jackson County jail. Wanda Jene Stevens, 43, also of 205 Chestnut Street, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and lodged in the county jail. Stanley Charles Hagist, 45, was cited for possession of methamphetamine and released. Murphy has been arrested and convicted of numerous charges since 1977 and was wanted for charges of probation violation and disorderly conduct on a fugitive warrant from California. Since July 21 he was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on those charges. Because of Murphy’s history, Moran said six officers responded to the tip. "We felt he was a potential flight risk because we’d had the warrant out for him," he said. Moran said officers were given permission to enter the small shop behind the house, where they discovered a methamphetamine lab. Moran said in addition to an MPD detective, Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team (JACNET) responded and disposed of the meth lab. Crime Stoppers pays a reward up to $1,000, sponsored by Sonitrol of Southern Oregon, for information that leads to arrests in unsolved criminal activity. Printer Friendly Version   Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News  | Sports  | Business  | Obituaries  | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives  |  Site Map   E Southern Oregon  | Classified   Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times