CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – After a year-long investigation, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives busted a burglary ring targeting local licensed marijuana businesses in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The suspects committed 16 known burglaries at marijuana farms and storage facilities from April 2023 to June 2024. The suspects arrested accumulated 65 total charges during their crime spree.
JCSO deputies, detectives, and the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) served two simultaneous search warrants the morning of Tuesday, August 13 on locations in Central Point. Investigators served the search warrants at properties in the 1000 block of Glengrove Avenue and in the 500 block of Mazama Street, both in Central Point. Detectives served a follow-on search warrant at two storage units in the 1400 block of 2nd Avenue in Gold Hill. These search warrants resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of burglary evidence, eight firearms, and 520 lbs. of marijuana. Oregon State Police (OSP) assisted with the warrant service.
The suspects arrested are Mitchell Jeffrey King, 35, of Central Point; Dylan Buck McNerney, 31, of Central Point; and Kenneth Alan Parker II, 48, of Gold Hill. The 65 charges included 32 for King, 23 for Parker, and 10 for McNerney. These charges included multiple counts of second-degree burglary, criminal conspiracy, first-degree aggravated theft, first-degree theft, attempted first-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief, and unlawful possession of a marijuana item. Additionally, Parker is charged with felon in possession of a firearm.
This case is under further investigation with detectives following additional leads. The case has been referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Additional charges from the Josephine County burglaries will likely be added at a later time. There is no more information available for release.
While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Homeland Security Investigations, OSP, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.