Newport Police Statement Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement Action - 09/17/25

On September 17, 2025, at about 10:15am, the Newport Police Department became aware of an incident on SW Elizabeth St. near Don and Ann Davis Park where an individual was taken into custody by persons who appeared to be federal agents.  It was later learned the incident was part of a federal enforcement action conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

The Newport Police Department had no prior knowledge of this operation and was not involved in any way.  We did not participate in, assist with, or provide support for this action. 

Under Oregon law, local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from using public resources to support or assist federal immigration enforcement.  This includes the use of facilities, property, personnel, funds, equipment, or technology.

The Newport Police Department is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive community for all residents and remains committed to transparency and full compliance with state law.

Officer Respond To Welfare Check, Seize 11.25 Ounces Of Methamphetamine (Photo) - 09/08/25

Incident: Narcotics Investigation

Location: SE Ferry Slip & SE 35^th Street, South Beach

Date/Time: September 6th, 2025 @ 2053 hours

Details: On September 6^th, 2025, at about 2242 hours, Newport Officers were dispatched to a Welfare Check involving a vehicle in the area of SE Ferry Slip and SE 35^th street. The vehicle was reportedly stopped in the lane of travel and the occupants were asleep inside. The officers contacted the driver and identified them as Patrick Leo Ball Jr., 49, of Siletz. The officers were able to determine Ball, and the passenger were not suffering from a medical emergency and had fallen asleep. However, during the contact, officers observed evidence of drug crimes within the vehicle. Ball and his passenger were detained for Possession of Methamphetamine. Officers seized the visible evidence, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

Narcotics Detection K9 Zoe was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics inside of the vehicle. Officers were granted a search warrant for the vehicle, where they located

a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, as well as evidence of drug use and sales.

Ball was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on the following crimes:

PATRICK LEO BALL JR, 49, OF SILETZ

• Unlawful Manufacture Methamphetamine
• Unlawful Delivery Methamphetamine
• Unlawful Possession Methamphetamine

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Sgt. Bales, 541-574-3348

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Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest For Unlawful Possession Of Machine Gun - 09/04/25

Incident: Traffic Stop

Location: SE Coos & SE 1^st Street, Newport

Date/Time: August 27^th, 2025 @ 2332 hours

Details: On August 27^th, 2025 at around 2332 hours a Newport Police Officer observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop on a 1996 Chevrolet Camaro. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Michael Andrew Knight, 35, of Dallas, Oregon. During the stop, it was discovered that Knight had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Two additional Newport Officers arrived on scene to assist.

As officers attempted to take Knight into custody, he attempted to flee in the vehicle. Officers were able to prevent his initial attempt to drive away. When officers attempted to remove Knight from the vehicle, he lunged toward the passenger seat and began reaching under the dash. One officer entered the vehicle to subdue Knight, while additional officers attempted to access the locked passenger-side door of the vehicle.

Knight continued to resist the officer’s attempts to take him into custody. Knight was able to restart his vehicle and began accelerating forward, driving away with one officer still attempting to stop Knight and take him into custody. The officer was able to disable the vehicle, and the vehicle came to a stop after a short distance. Knight continued to resist the officer’s attempts to take him into custody and actively attempted to gain control of his vehicle. Officers on scene disabled the tires on Knights vehicle, rendering the vehicle inoperable.

Knight continued to resist all attempts to place him under arrest and an officer deployed a Taser. With the assistance of Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies that arrived on scene,  officers were able to detain Knight in handcuffs and remove him from the vehicle. While taking control of Knight’s arms, officers observed an empty handgun holster on the seat next to Knight.

Officers learned Knight was a convicted felon and applied for a warrant to search the vehicle, which was granted. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a 9mm handgun that was concealed under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The handgun was a non-serialized handgun that had been modified with specific parts, allowing it to be operated as a machine gun. The handgun was loaded with a 30-round extended magazine.

Officers discovered four other loaded magazines for the pistol, two of which were extended capacity magazines. Also located during the search was five grams of Cocaine, evidence of Cocaine manufacturing, a box of 9mm ammunition, a ski mask, a wig, and a large crowbar.

Michael Andrew Knight was booked and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for the following:

• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude
• Attempted Escape III
• Resisting Arrest
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• Attempted Kidnapping II
• Felon in Possession of Firearm
• Unlawful Possession of Firearm (concealed)
• Unlawful Possession of Machine Gun
• Possession Controlled Substance – Cocaine
• Manufacturing Controlled Substance – Cocaine
• Probation Violation
• Arrest Warrant – Dallas Municipal Court

The Newport Police Department would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

The incident remains under investigation.  If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Eshleman of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: Sgt. Bales, 541-574-3348

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Armed Robbery Arrest - 08/20/25

Incident: Armed Robbery Arrest

Location: Hwy 101 @ NW Logan Road, Lincoln City, Oregon

Date/Time: August 18^th, 2025 @ 1930 hours

Details: On August 18^th, 2025, the Newport Police Department continued to investigate the details surrounding an Armed Robbery that had occurred on the historic Newport bayfront on Friday, August 15^th. As a result, officers arrested Uziel Fuentes Hernandez, 18, of Lincoln City, Oregon.

On August 18^th, Fuentes Hernandez, who was identified as a person involved in the Armed Robbery in Newport on the 15^th but had not been taken into custody yet, began threatening to cause harm to witnesses in the Robbery case if they did not retract their statements to police. Witnesses were scared for their personal safety and the safety of their families.

Newport officers, with the assistance of the Lincoln City Police Department, were able to locate Fuentes Hernandez working at a business in Lincoln City. Officers contacted Fuentes Hernandez when he exited the business and, after a short foot pursuit, Fuentes Hernandez was taken into custody without incident.

Fuentes Hernandez was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on the following crimes:

Uziel Fuentes Hernandez, 18, (Lincoln City, OR)

• Robbery in the First Degree
• Coercion

The Newport Police Department would like to thank the Lincoln City Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Philomath Police Department for their assistance.

The incident remains under investigation.  If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Werner of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Information Released By: RELEASED BY SGT. AARON BALES, 541-574-3348