UPDATE :RUNAWAY: Herren, William (Photo) -07/08/25

UPDATE: WILLIAM HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFELY.

*

*

*

RUNAWAY - ATTEMPT TO LOCATE

CASE: 25-12473

NAME: William Herren

AGE: 15

SEX: Male

RACE: White

HEIGHT: 5'8"

WEIGHT: 160

HAIR: Brown/Blonde

EYES: Blue

INFORMATION:

William ran away on 06/05/2025. William was wearing a black shirt and black pants and was last seen in the Murphy/New Hope area around 6:00pm that evening. If located, please contact law enforcement.   

Please contact Josephine County Sheriff's Office if you have any information.  541-474-5123

JMET SW: Waldo Road, Cave Junction (Photo) -07/08/25

RELEASE DATE: July 8, 2025

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: June 26, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

ARRESTED: Angel Elias Sanchez, 35 years-old

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

                    3- Unlawful Appropriation of Water              

DETAILS:

On June 26, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed two search warrants on two different properties in the 1000 block of Waldo Road, Cave Junction, regarding illegal marijuana grow sites. The search warrants were executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

During the execution of the warrants, more than 9,000 marijuana plants and approximately 1,300 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed. Additionally, one firearm was found on scene at one of the properties.

Both properties also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

Angel Elias Sanchez was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Appropriation of Water.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

Cold Case Homicide (Photo) -06/30/25

RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2025
INCIDENT: Homicide- Cold Case

INCIDENT DATE: July 1983

REPORTING DEPUTY: Detective Sergeant Henrich

ARRESTED: 72-year-old, Mark Sanfratello

DETAILS: In February of 2024, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Oregon Department of Justice, Josephine County District Attorney’s Office and the Chico California Police Department, re-opened the investigation regarding the 1983 disappearance and murder of Teresa Peroni.

At the time,Teresa was 27 years old and was known to be in a relationship with Mark Sanfratello who was 29. On or around July 4th, 1983, Teresa was last seen with Sanfratello walking into a wooded area while attending a party in the 1000 block of Illinois River Road.

After a short time, the family of Peroni reported her missing and an investigation took place. During this initial investigation, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office found the disappearance to be suspicious in nature. However, after the investigation with the Josephine County District Attorney's Office, in was determined that there was not enough probable cause to move forward with criminal prosecution.

In 1997, a human skull was located by individuals on a nearby property and a search took place with the use of a cadaver dog and search personnel. No other human remains were located and the skull was sent for examination and DNA testing through the University of North Texas (UNT).

In 2024, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office re-opened the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office started by looking for any known individuals still alive that had some type of involvement with the cold case and knew details of the initial Peroni investigation. Additional DNA was collected and submitted to UNT. With the additional DNA, UNT was able to confirm the skull located in 1997 was that of Peroni.

On June 27th, 2025, after locating multiple individuals associated with Peroni, DNA results and the original case/investigation, a Josephine County Grand Jury indicted Sanfratello on the charge of Murder.

On June 28th, 2025, with the assistance of The Chico Police Department, Sanfratello was located and taken into custody without incident. Subsequently, he was questioned regarding his involvement with the disappearance and murder of Peroni.

Sanfratello remains in custody in California and will be extradited back to Josephine County.

Next of kin has been notified of the status of this case.

At the time of this press release, no further information is being released.

JMET SW - Dick George Rd, Cave Junction (Photo) -06/24/25

RELEASE DATE: June 24, 2025

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: June 23, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana     

DETAILS:

On June 23, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 200 block of Dick George Road, Cave Junction, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

During the execution of the warrant, 6 pounds of processed marijuana and more than 1,500 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Additionally, a firearm was seized during the search.

The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

The primary suspects were not on scene during the time of the search. If located, they will be charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

JMET SW - Redwood Highway (Photo) -06/23/25

RELEASE DATE: June 23, 2025

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: June 18, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

                    3- Unlawful Appropriation of Water

DETAILS:

On June 18, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant in the 31000 block of Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, regarding an illegal marijuana grow site. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET).

During the execution of the warrant, more than 7,000 marijuana plants and approximately 300 pounds of processed marijuana were seized and destroyed.

The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

The primary suspects were not on scene during the time of the search. If located, they will be charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Appropriation of Water.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

JMET SW - Dick George Rd, Cave Junction (Photo) -06/19/25

INCIDENT: Marijuana Search Warrant

INCIDENT DATE: June 17, 2025

REPORTING DEPUTY: Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET)

ARRESTED: Jose Antonio Santos Licona, 48 years-old

                      Juan Santos Jarillo, 41 years-old

CHARGES: 1- Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana

                    2- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

DETAILS:

On June 17, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed three search warrants on three collocated parcels in the 400 and 500 blocks of Dick George Road, Cave Junction, regarding an illegal marijuana grow operation. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET).

During the execution of the warrant, more than 7,000 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Additionally, two firearms and a large amount of cash were seized on scene.

The property also had multiple electrical, water, and solid waste code violations. These violations could result in the civil forfeiture of the property.

Jose Antonio Santos Licona and Juan Santos Jarillo were both taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Manufacturing of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

At the time of this press release the investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released.

UPDATE: LOCATED Missing Person: Wytcherley, Desiree -06/16/25

UPDATE 6/16/25 3:00PM: DESIREE HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFELY.
*
*
*

CASE: 25-12690

DATE OF REPORT: 06/08/2025

NAME: Desiree Wytcherley

AGE: 39

SEX: Female

WEIGHT: 145

HEIGHT: 5'11"

HAIR: Brown/Blonde

EYES: Blue

INFORMATION: Desiree was last seen in Wilderville area approximately on 06/05/2025. It is unknown what Desiree was wearing. Desiree frequently walks on roadways in the Wilderville area. If located, please contact law enforcement.  

If you have any information, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office at 541-474-5123.

Missing Person: Mitchell, Erik (Photo) -06/13/25

UPDATE 6/13/2025: ERIK HAS BEEN LOCATED SAFELY.

*

*

*

MISSING PERSON: ERIK GRANT MITCHELL

Date of Report: June 11, 2025

Case: 28-12936

Age: 38

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 185lbs

Information: Family has not heard from Erik since January 2024 (not a typo).  At that time Erik was living in the Grants Pass area and may have been staying with friends.  Erik had made comments about moving out of state, possible to Texas or Arizona.  It is unknown where Erik may have gone, what he drives, or who he may be with.  If you have any information as to Erik’s whereabouts, please contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.  

541-474-5123

Fatal Motorcycle Crash (Photo) -06/10/25

RELEASE DATE:  06/10/2025                                   

INCIDENT NUMBER:  25-12699

INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 06/08/2025 at 10:25pm

REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sgt. Stanton

INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Motorcycle Crash

DECEASED: Brock Andrew Ewers

On June 8th, 2025 at 10:25pm, a Deputy from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a speeding motorcycle on Galice Road near Merlin, Oregon.

The motorcycle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued outbound on Galice Road towards the river corridor.  The pursuit continued through Galice and past Almeda Park.  Near milepost 17, the rider lost control of the motorcycle and crashed off a cliff and into the Rogue River below.

Rural/Metro Fire and AMR responded to the scene. The area below the crash was searched by a drone equipped with FLIR (camera with thermal imaging capabilities).  The Josephine County Marine Deputy and Rural/Metro personnel launched a raft at Almeda Park and searched the area below the crash site and along the riverbank to the Argo Recreation Site. The rider was not located.

On June 9th, 2025 around 10:00am, rafters located the rider’s body near Whiskey Creek.  The recovery of the rider was a coordinated effort between BLM River Rangers and Josephine County Search and Rescue.

The rider was identified as 46 year old Brock Ewers of Grants Pass.  At the request of the Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police are investigating the crash of the motorcycle.

Next of kin have been notified.

No further information will be released at this time.