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INCIDENT 93. Victim or Complainant contacted by Investigating Deputy DAVE FREEMAN and advised of Clearance or Status of case. / Time:
MENTIONED:
NARRATIVE On 07-20-85 at 0940 hours, I and Deputy Chris IVES met with Jim CHRISTIANSEN and Dick OLSEN at the Sweet Home Ranger District Offices on Highway 20 in Sweet Home. OR. This meeting was in reference to actions to be taken later in the day at the Squaw Three Timber sale in Unit #6 regarding a lone protester still remaining perched in a old growth tree. At this time, I learned that a truck with scissor-type boom and bucket had been acquired by tne Forest Service to use in removing the protester from the tree. We then went to the scene where Dan SUMMERS joined the group. At that time Jim CHRISTIANSEN spoke with the protester in the tree advising him that he was in a closed area without a permit and that he would be required to leave. The subject in the tree, known to me as Ron HUBER, refused to come down and leave. The boom truck was moved into position near the tree and the boom was raised to its tallest position. We learned that the boom was approximately ten feet short of the protesters platform. The boom was lowered and we went to the Mountain House where a series of telephone calls were made in an attempt to locate and acquire a taller boom truck or crane. During the early afternoon hours a crane was located and Jim ----------------------------- CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Page 2 CHRISTIANSEN talked to and okay'd the use of the crane. We then returned to the scene to await the arrival of the crane. During the next two (2) hours Deputy IVES and I both talked with HUBER regarding his alledged violation of the closure and asked him to come down on several occasions. HUBER refused each time. Shortly before 1800 hours the crane arrived at the scene. Deputy Ives and I made necessary safety straps and harnesses to wear and to take with us in the crane platform while the crane was positioned and readied for operation.. At approximately 18:15 hours the crane arrives at the scene. Deputy IVES and I got into the crane platform which measured approximately 3' (W) x 4'(L) x 4'(D) and were raised to within 6 or 8 feet of the protester's platform. During our ride up the tree, I noticed that HUBER became more agitated and vocal in his actions. I noted that Huber stood up on his platform and began to climb up higher into the tree. When we were about 2/3 of the way up to HUBER's platform, I noticed HUBER to throw a coil of some kind of rope onto the fairlead and shive at the top of the crane's boom. I then heard HUBER begin shouting warnings to us that the rope was hung up in the mechanism and that somebody would be hurt if we didn't stop. I noted at this time that our platform was approximately 50 to 60 feet above ground. I stopped the upward movement of our platform until it was determined that the rope was not hung up in any moving parts, but was laying over the top of the shive housing and hanging on the center shaft outside the housing. After it was determined it was safe to go on, the platform was lifted on up the tree to within 6 to 8 feet of HUBER's platform. By this time HUBER had abandoned his platform to move on up the straps and ropes which secured his platform to the tree. HUBER had also pulled one end of his platform up towards himself so that it formed a barrier between him and us. I then began talking to HUBER by advising him that he was under arrest for Criminal Trespass II for being in the closed area and refusing to leave. I also aid that he could also have other charges if he. --------------------------------- Page 3. resisted our efforts to safely remove him from the tree. During the next two (2) hours I negotiated with HUBER in an attempt to have him come with us peacefully. During this same time HUBER seemed confused and kept talking to about half a dozen of his comrades who were standing just outside the closed area boundary. Someone from this group advised HUBER to have his property from the tree released to them and to get any agreements or conditions in writing from me. HUBER then began insisting on having his propoerty released to his friends and on knowing exactly what was going to happen if he came down. I informed HUBER: 1.that I would guarantee that his property would be released to his friends at the scene, 2. that he would be arrested by me for Criminal Trespass II, a class C misdemeanor and 3. that the Forest Service would cite him for being in a closed area without a permit. I also told I also told him that those guarantees were contigent upon his cooperation in coming down from the tree. HUBER was reluctent to accept my word on these matters and insisted on obtaining these guarantees in writing from me. After further negotiation with HUBER without any improvement in the situation, I conceded to HUBERS request. I wrote on a piece of paper that his property would be released to his friends, that I would arrest.him for Criminal Trespass II and that the Forest Service would cite him for being in a closed area. I gave this piece of paper to HUBER for him to inspect and I informed him that the agreement would be null and void if he did not co-operate with us in getting him down safely. After reading the slip of paper to himself and to his friends on the ground, HUBER returned the slip to me at his friends insistance that I sign the paper. I took the paper back and continued to negotiate with him on his cooperation. I told him at least twice more that if I did sign the agreement and he failed to cooperate with us, the terms of the agreement would be null and void. I did finally sign the agreement. ========================================== Note: Rest of Linn County sheriff's deputy Dave Freeman's account missing. |