Portland, OR - This morning at 4:00 AM,
James Joseph Bennett, a 50 year old white male, was arrested by members of
the U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force (OFTF) at the Econolodge on NE
Sandy Blvd. When officers went to
arrest Bennett, he was tased while attacking U.S. Marshals and Task Force
Officers in his attempts to escape capture. According to DUSM Cunningham, the OFTF worked 24 hours straight during their investigation to develop
information leading directly to the arrest of Bennett and several other
individuals. Bennett was a fugitive out of Alaska wanted for Federal
Probation Violation. His original charge was cocaine sales. U.S. Marshals
and Task Force members began working the Bennett case late this week at the
request of the Portland Police Bureau and the FBI.
Several additional arrests were made during
the Bennett investigation including that of Christopher James Rodgers, a 28
year old white male arrested on state and local charges for Identity Theft
and Forgery at 1230 AM at a house near 157th and Lincoln.
Information provided by the Portland Police
Bureau indicated Rodgers was suspected to have been in direct contact with
Bennett. Both men were believed to have taken part in numerous crimes
throughout the Portland Metropolitan area.
With the help of the Portland Police Bureau
Southeast Precinct Fraud Investigators the OFTF was able to develop
investigative leads which directly connected Rodgers' and Bennett’s
activities which, in turn, lead to both of their captures. During both
arrests methamphetamine and large amounts of cash were seized.
Bennett and Rodgers were booked in to the
Multnomah County Detention Center. Please contact Multnomah County Jail for
booking photos.
The U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force
is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Washington
County Sheriff’s Office, Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police,
Multnomah County Probation & Parole, Clackamas County Probation & Parole,
and the Oregon National Guard. For more information you can go to
www.usmarshals.gov. |