Redmond Next-Door Homes Raided; 4 Arrests

Four residents were arrested and drugs and stolen items seized in raids on a pair of neighboring homes in southwest Redmond Tuesday morning, an operation that brought out Central Oregon?s SWAT Team and kept some people from returning to their homes for a time, police said.

Officers served the search warrants shortly after 9 a.m. at 3136 and 3150 SW Quartz Avenue, with the help of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, said Lt. Nathan Garibay.

Police had been investigating the two next-door locations for drug sales and property crimes, Garibay said.

Four people were detained and taken to the Deschutes County Jail, according to Garibay, who said drugs, evidence of delivery and manufacture, and stolen property were found in both homes.

Jeremy DeFrance, 36, Wendy Cummings, 42, and Christopher Howenstien, 29, face charges of methamphetamine manufacture, delivery and possession. They and the fourth defendant, Meghan Campos, 19, are charged with frequenting a place where drugs are used or sold; Campos also is charged with meth possession.

Cummings, Howenstein and Campos are charged with theft by receiving. DeFrance also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and endangering the welfare of a minor. Cummings? other charges are delivery of marijuana and the same child endangering charge.

Howenstien also is charged with unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

DeFrance remained jailed Tuesday evening on $35,000 bail, while Cummings was held on $52,000 bail and Howenstien on $31,500 bail. Campos was released on her own recognizance, pending a court appearance later this month.

Garibay said the raids were timed so a child was not present at the time; that case is being forwarded to state child-welfare authorities. He also said officers “did not have to use forced entry” to go into the homes.

Anyone with information about Redmond property and drug crimes that affect residents? quality of life is urged to contact police at (541) 504-3400 during business hours, or 911 non-emergency dispatchers at (541) 693-6911. You can also use the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS or using the form on KTVZ.COM?s CrimeStoppers page. You can remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward.