Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested two young men for new and old crimes during a welfare check on the west side of the downtown area early yesterday.

According to the Police Department, officers contacted 18-year-old Bruce Allen Hughes and 23-year-old Jesse Charles Johnson in the 400-block of NW Booth Street on Thursday at about 8:30 a.m..

Police said a citizen called 9-1-1 to report two men passed out in a Honda minivan that was illegally parked near a curb that was painted yellow near the intersection of NW Booth and C streets. The subjects were rousted out of their drug-induced slumber and the vehicle was impounded because of where it was parked and due to the fact that the driver had no license or insurance. There was burnt foil in the van.

During intake at the Josephine County Jail, deputies found more foil that contained a moist substance in Hughes' pants pocket. He initially stated the pants were not his and then admitted the substance was the psychedelic narcotic DMT.

Bruce Hughes was lodged in jail without bail for Probation Violation related to arrests for Theft, Burglary and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was also cited to appear in court for drug violation. Jesse Johnson was jailed on a Grants Pass warrant for Probation Violation related to Petty Theft.