Local News

A Butte Falls man who was arrested last week for using a vehicle to intentionally ram a Central Point Police Department patrol car is facing additional charges after law enforcement searched his vehicle.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports deputies executed a search warrant on 34-year-old Joshua Edward McLaughlin's vehicle this week, locating body armor and a 9-millimeter pistol.

Additional charges were added including Felon in Possession of Body Armor and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. McLaughlin is being held at the Jackson County Jail on a total of 32 criminal charges and is not eligible for pre-trial release.

McLaughlin was arrested last Friday afternoon at the OK Market in Medford. He was already wanted on eight warrants when he eluded law enforcement earlier that day by intentionally crashing into a CPPD patrol car. While ramming the patrol car, he also struck an officer with his side-view mirror. The officer was hurt, but is expected to make a full recovery. He or she was not identified in the report.

In addition to the most recent charges, McLaughlin is being held on probable cause of Felony Eluding Police, Felony Hit-and-Run, Reckless Driving, three counts of Reckless Endangering, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief, Interfering with Police, 3rd-Degree Assault, Attempted 3rd-Degree Assault, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Assault on a Peace Officer plus warrants for Burglary and Attempt to Elude.

The case will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney's Office.