Deschutes SO warns of ‘deputy’ jury duty scam

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to the public Wednesday after a citizen reported being called by someone falsely claiming to work for the agency who said an arrest warrant had been issued — and to send money to clear it.

Sgt. Troy Gotchy said the sheriff’s office was contacted Tuesday by a citizen who reported getting a call from a man who identified himself as “Lt. Jerry Gamble” with the sheriff’s office.

The caller told the citizen they had missed jury duty, and a warrant had been issued for their arrest. The subject then asked the citizen to send them money to clear up the warrant or they will be arrested, Gotchy said.

The phone number used in this scam was 541-213-0143. That phone has since been disconnected.

After doing some research, the sheriff’s office learned that this is a scam that has been occurring nationwide.

The caller in all these cases used the same name, “Lt. Jerry Gamble”, and often times advised the people he was calling that a warrant had been issued for their arrest after missing jury duty.

Gotchy said, “The sheriff’s office wants the public to know that this is a scam, and that they should never send someone money without verifying the information they are being provided first.

“It is not common practice for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to advise a citizen they have a warrant over the phone. In most cases, a citizen with a warrant will be contacted in person, and the Deputy will have proper credentials when serving the warrant,” he said in a news release.

Anyone receiving phone calls similar to this in nature is asked to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911 to report it, Gotchy said