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Date: 06-06-2023
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:19-cr-00454
Judge: Michael J. McShane
Court: United States District Court for the District of Oregon (Jackson County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office in Medford
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Medford, Oregon criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with boobytrapping of a home that injured an FBI bomb technician.
On September 7, 2018, bomb technicians from Oregon State Police (OSP) and the FBI went to a property in Williams formerly owned by Gregory Lee Rodvelt, 71, a former resident of Williams, Oregon, that he had lost in lawsuit. After Rodvelt learned that a receiver had been appointed to sell the property, he proceeded to boobytrap it.
When the bomb technicians arrived at the property, they observed a minivan blocking the gate. The technicians found steel animal traps affixed to a gate post and under the hood of the minivan. They also located homemade spike strips, which the receiver had previously run over. As the technician neared the residence, they observed a hot tub that had been placed on its side and rigged in a manner that when a gate was opened it would activate a mechanical trigger causing the spa to roll toward the person who had opened the gate.
The technicians further observed that the windows of the residence had been barred from the inside and there were security doors at the front and rear of the residence. The front door also had what appeared to be bullet holes from shots fired inside. In the garage, they found a rat trap modified to accept a shotgun shell. Though the trap was unloaded, it was connected to the main garage door so it would be tripped when the door was opened.
The technicians and two other law enforcement officers gathered near the front of the residence and used an explosive charge to breach the front door. The group carefully entered the residence, looking for traps, and found a wheelchair in the center of the front entryway. When the wheelchair was bumped, it triggered a homemade shotgun device that discharged a .410 shotgun shell that struck the FBI bomb technician below the knee. The group administered first aid to the wounded technician and transported him to a local hospital.
Assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is punishable by up to life in federal prison.
Rodvelt will be sentenced at a later date by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from OSP and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper and Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
18:111(a)(1)and(b); Assault on a Federal Officer; 18:924(d)and28:2461(c); Forfeiture Allegation
(1)
18:111(a)(1) and (b); Assault on a Federal Officer; 18:924(d) and 28:2461(c); Forfeiture Allegation
(1s)
18:924(c)(1)(A)(i),(iii),and(c)(1)(B)(ii); Using and Discharging a Firearm During and in relation to a Crime of Violence
(2)
18:924(c)(1)(A)(i),(iii), and (c)(1)(B)(ii); Using and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence
(2s)
26:5841,5861(d)and 5871; Unlawful Possession of a Destructive Device
(3)
26:5841,5845(f),5861(d) and 5871; Possession of Unregistered NFA Firearm
(3s)
Outcome: Jury Trial day 6 before Judge Michael J. McShane as to Defendant Gregory Lee Rodvelt. The Clerk is directed to order 12 lunches from Abby's Pizza during jury deliberation. Jury instructed. Closing Arguments held. Jury sent out to deliberate. Jury Finding of Guilty on Counts 1 and 2. See Verdict form. Jury Polled and Discharged. Trial concluded 6/2/2023. Sentencing is set for 10/4/2023 at 10:30AM in Eugene Courtroom 2 before Judge Michael J. McShane. Counsel Present for Government: Jeff Sweet and Judi Harper. Counsel Present for Defendant: Devin Huseby and Ben Kim. (Court Reporter Kendra Steppler) (rsm) (Entered: 06/05/2023)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: