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Suspect indicted in officer shooting By JESSICA SMITH A Jackson County Grand Jury returned indictments Tuesday against Moises Sanchez-Llamas, a man authorities say shot and wounded a Medford police officer. Sanchez-Llamas, 26, was indicted on two counts of attempted aggravated murder for firing weapons at officers, one count of first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The charges stem from the Saturday shooting of officer Scott Clauson, who was struck by one bullet in his right thigh, authorities said. "We're happy with the process, we're happy with the indictment," said Lt. Tim George, a spokesman for the police department. "Now it's full steam ahead." Officers are working to wrap up the bulk of the investigation in the next few days, George said. The investigation so far shows that Medford officers responded at 3:13 a.m. Saturday to a home in the 400 block of South Columbus Avenue, where an armed man had reportedly forced his way in. Authorities said the man, carrying two handguns, began shooting at 29-year-old Clauson and officer Mike Strouse, who returned fire. Clauson was shot near the home at 439 S. Columbus Ave. It was the first time in 66 years that a Medford officer was shot in the line of duty, police said. Clauson was admitted Saturday to Rogue Valley Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Sunday to repair his shattered femur. Hospital officials said Clauson remained in fair condition Tuesday. The grand jury Tuesday also indicted Sanchez-Llamas on charges of resisting arrest, two counts of first-degree burglary with a firearm, menacing, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun. Two of the charges -- attempted aggravated murder and first-degree assault -- are Measure 11 offenses, said District Attorney Mark Huddleston, who will prosecute the case. If convicted on those charges, Sanchez-Llamas would face a minimum of 27 years in prison. He is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday, Dec. 29. Sanchez-Llamas is being held on $1 million bail in the Jackson County Jail. Also Tuesday, the grand jury ruled that because the suspect fired his weapons first, officers Clauson and Strouse were justified in returning fire. "There was never any reason, frankly, to think the officers had acted criminally," Huddleston said. George said the police department will begin its own administrative review of the officers' actions once the criminal investigation is complete. Strouse remains on administrative leave, a standard practice in police-related shootings. George said it's uncertain when Strouse will return to work. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA