Warm Springs man charged with firearm possession, high-speed chases after months-long manhunt
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ)-- A Warm Springs, Ore., man has been charged with possessing multiple firearms as a felon and eluding police during a high-speed chase. Edward Francis Jones, 32, faces federal charges stemming from two incidents involving law enforcement.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, Scott E. Bradford, Jones has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and fleeing from police. Bradford emphasized the risks associated with evading justice, stating, "Running from justice puts lives at risk and threatens the safety of everyone around us." Law enforcement officials have been pursuing Jones since May 29th, 2025, for previous supervised release violations. Multiple agencies, including the FBI and local sheriff's offices, collaborated to apprehend him.
On Nov. 6th, 2025, Warm Springs Police officers observed a Hyundai sedan that matched the description of a stolen vehicle. After confirming its status, they activated their lights and sirens, prompting the driver, identified as Jones, to speed away into a field and a short chase ensued. Officers found a loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number in the vehicle, along with alcohol, fireworks, drug paraphernalia and approximately 94 rounds of ammunition. A second backpack containing mail belonging to Jones was also discovered in the car.
The following incident occurred on Jan. 7th, 2026, when deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office tried to pull over a woman linked to Jones for an expired registration. The vehicle failed to stop and sped through Madras, reaching dangerously high speeds and driving against traffic. It eventually lost control and crashed, allowing Jones to exit and flee on foot. Law enforcement used drones to locate him a short distance away and he was taken into custody. Inside the vehicle, officers found an additional handgun on the driver's side floorboard.
Jones has been wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service since May 29th, 2025 and his capture was made possible by intensive collaboration among federal and local agencies. Pete W. Cajigal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon, expressed gratitude for this teamwork: "The unwavering dedication, relentless hard work and steadfast diligence of these agencies stand as a powerful testament to the exceptional caliber of law enforcement that safeguards and serves our communities." He emphasized that these efforts led to the removal of a dangerous individual from the community.
Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Shark noted the importance of inter-agency partnerships in enhancing community safety: "Our community is safer because of our partnerships with local, state, tribal and federal agencies." Following his arrest, Jones made his initial appearance in federal court where he was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
The FBI is continuing its investigation into Jones' activities and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley is prosecuting the case. Further court proceedings will determine the outcomes related to his charges.
