Medford Man Facing Arraignment On Explosive Charges
MEDFORD, Ore. — Following an indictment by a federal grand jury in Medford, a 56-year-old Medford resident, Wesley Allen Armstrong Jr., is being charged with several offenses, including illegal possession and sale of explosives, and is facing arraignment. Armstrong is a convicted felon.
While an indictment is simply an accusation that a crime has been committed, an arraignment is the formal reading of the criminal charges to the defendant. The process informs the defendant of the criminal charges leveled against them, but they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Medford Man Indicted Following Investigation
A collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE), the multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that investigated in this instance is tasked with identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug trafficking organizations at local, multi-state, and international level, using intelligence-driven strategies.
The unit has the support of the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is made up of several law enforcement agencies and includes the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as well as the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, and Jackson County Community Corrections.
Court documents show that the investigation into Armstrong started in March 2024 after detectives from MADGE alerted special agents from the ATF of his alleged involvement in possession and intention to sell explosives. The investigation culminated in the arrest of Armstrong on March 27, after eight cast explosives, seven non-electric shock tube detonators, and a small quantity of fentanyl were reportedly sold by him. The searches of Armstrong’s vehicle following his arrest resulted in the discovery and seizure of a loaded pistol and more fentanyl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, Marco A. Boccato is prosecuting the case and Armstrong has been indicted.
Wesley Armstrong Detained While Awaiting Arraignment
Facing federal charges which include dealing in explosives without a license, possessing stolen explosives, and firearm possession as a convicted felon, and more, he was indicted on March 28. After his appearance in federal court, he was detained awaiting further proceedings, and is currently scheduled for arraignment at a date still to be disclosed.
The charges being faced by the detainee include possession and distribution of fentanyl as well as distributing explosives without proper authorization and possession of a firearm linked to drug trafficking.