Spring River man accused of firing shotgun at girlfriend, man

A south Deschutes County man has been jailed on numerous charges, accused of firing a shotgun blast at a vehicle occupied by his girlfriend and her male friend, sheriff’s deputies said.

Detective Ron Brown said deputies responded late Saturday night to a weapons offense in the area of Fontana Road and Stellar Drive in the Spring River neighborhood south of Sunriver.

Deputies and detectives determined James Sperling Crawford, 32, and his 18-year-old girlfriend had been in an argument, and she went to his home with a 30-year-old male friend to retrieve her dog, Brown said.

The girlfriend became concerned for Crawford’s safety and tried to remove guns from his home, the detective said, but a struggle ensued and he was able to retain them.

The girlfriend fled the home with her friend. Crawford then allegedly drove to the friend’s home on Fontana Road in his motor home, Brown said.

Crawford had a shotgun with him at the time and pointed it at the girlfriend and her friend at least three times “from a short distance away,” Brown said in a news release.

Crawford then allegedly fired the shotgun once toward the Toyota SUV the girlfriend and man were in, causing minor damage to the SUV, then returned to his home.

About 1:30 a.m. Sunday, deputies spotted Crawford’s motor home entering the parking lot of the Circle K gas station on Enterprise Drive in Sunriver, Brown said.

Deputies and SWAT team members contacted Crawford by phone and he agreed to come out of the motor home. He was then arrested without further incident. Brown said detectives learned Crawford had a valid restraining order against him that prohibited him from possessing firearms.

Sheriff’s deputies were assisted by the Sunriver Police Department.

Crawford remained in the county jail in Bend on Wednesday, held on more than $250,000 bail. He was arraigned Monday on nine initial charges: two counts each of first-degree assault, pointing a firearm at another, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as criminal driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Crawford is due back in court next Monday for arraignment on an expected formal indictment.