Curry County Justice

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SHERIFF JOHN WARDCURRY COUNTY, OREGON94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 31129808 Colvin Street (Physical)GOLD BEACH, OR 97444(54...
06/17/2026

SHERIFF JOHN WARD
CURRY COUNTY, OREGON
94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311
29808 Colvin Street (Physical)
GOLD BEACH, OR 97444
(541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893
[email protected]

06-17-26

PRESS RELEASE for Lucas Lodge incident

Heavy police presence and road patrols are still ongoing in the Agness area today for a wanted male, Kenneth Leatherwood out of Bastrop, TX. Leatherwood is wanted for s*x related crimes involving a minor, as well as a stolen vehicle and reported stolen weapons. Leatherwood is NOT on the FBI’s top 10 most wanted list and is NOT wanted for murder charges.

Leatherwood is a white male adult, late thirties. 5’10 200 lbs. brown hair and green eyes. A photo is being released on social media.

Last known clothing description for Leatherwood is an ivory t-shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots.

Do not approach, believed to be armed and possibly dangerous.

Leatherwood may have an Australian shepherd mix dog with him.

Again, do not approach or attempt contact with subject. If Leatherwood is seen, contact the Sheriff's Office at 541-247-3242 option 9 or 911 if emergent. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with Oregon State Police and relaying information as it’s received.

06/01/2026

From the desk of
SHERIFF JOHN WARD
CURRY COUNTY, OREGON
94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311
29808 Colvin Street (Physical)
GOLD BEACH, OR 97444
(541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893
[email protected]

Press Release: Drugs and weapons arrest

On 5-22-2026, Deputies conducted an investigation regarding criminal activity at a residence in Harbor. During their investigation, Deputies seized approximately 46 grams (1.6 ounces) of suspected Methamphetamine and 9 fi****ms. One of the seized fi****ms was stolen, others had obliterated serial numbers and two had been illegally modified. Additional stolen property related to a recent Burglary was also seized.

Charles Killian, 57, was arrested for Unlawful Possession, Manufacturing and Delivering Controlled Substances, Felon in Possession of a Firearm (9 counts), Theft 1 By Receiving and Probation Violation. Tamara Gastonguay, 50, was also arrested for Unlawful Possession, Manufacturing and Delivering Controlled Substances, Felon in Possession of a Firearm (9 counts) and Theft 1 By Receiving. As the investigation continues, additional charges may be referred.

If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Sergeant Van Zelf at the Curry County Sheriff’s Office.

Sergeant Zane Van Zelf
Curry County Sheriff’s Office
94235 Moore St. Suite 311
Gold Beach, OR. 97444
(541)247-3243

04/23/2026

From our IT Director, all county systems such as internet and operating systems will be shut down immediately regarding a notice of a possible virus across the nation. Once all is shut down, they will run a test and if clear, will start back up. Here at the Sheriff’s Office, all crime reporting and business lines will be off line. If you have an emergency, call 911. Once we get the all clear, I will send out an update.

04/13/2026

From the desk of
SHERIFF JOHN WARD
CURRY COUNTY, OREGON
94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311
29808 Colvin Street (Physical)
GOLD BEACH, OR 97444
(541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893
[email protected]

Burglary arrest:

On 4-10-2026 at around 3:34 pm, the Curry County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center received a call from a homeowner reporting that their residence in central Curry County was actively being burglarized. The homeowner was away from home, monitoring the burglary real-time through their in-home surveillance system. Deputies responded to the residence assisted by the Oregon State Police and a Gold Beach Police Officer.

Sheriff's Deputies quickly made entry into the home to find that the suspect had fled through a back door upon their arrival. Deputies began canvassing the area. Minutes later, Deputy Stanbery located the suspect hiding in the heavily wooded area behind the home. Deputy Stanbery and Deputy Starbird were able to apprehend the suspect without further incident and he was transported to the Curry County Jail.

Travis J. Minor (30) was booked into the Curry County Jail for charges of Burglary 1st Degree, Theft 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree. We would like to thank the Oregon State Police and the Gold Beach Police Department for their assistance.

Sergeant Zane Van Zelf
Curry County Sheriff’s Office
94235 Moore St. Suite 311
Gold Beach, OR. 97444
(541)247-3243

04/01/2026

From the desk of
SHERIFF JOHN WARD
CURRY COUNTY, OREGON
94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311
29808 Colvin Street (Physical)
GOLD BEACH, OR 97444
(541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893
[email protected]

On 3/14/2026, Deputy Bryce Starbird received a report that a young child in Curry County was being s*xually abused. After verifying the information at the residence, Deputy Starbird contacted Sergeant Zane Van Zelf and they began a thorough investigation together. In the following days, interviews were conducted and multiple search warrants were written. On 3/17/2026, Deputy Starbird and Sergeant Van Zelf executed a search warrant at a residence in Harbor and subsequently arrested the suspect. A 39 year old male was lodged in the Curry County Jail for multiple counts of child Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree and Unlawful Sexual Pe*******on in the 1st Degree. The suspect has since been indicted by a Grand Jury for the charges and remains in custody. We would like to thank Wally's House of Gold Beach, DHS Child Welfare and the Oregon State Police for their assistance with this investigation.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Sergeant Zane Van Zelf at the Curry County Sheriff's Office. Police action is not indicative of guilt. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sergeant Zane Van Zelf
Curry County Sheriff’s Office
94235 Moore St. Suite 311
Gold Beach, OR. 97444
(541)247-3243

From the desk ofSHERIFF JOHN WARDCURRY COUNTY, OREGON94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 31129808 Colvin Street (Physical)GOLD BEA...
04/01/2026

From the desk of
SHERIFF JOHN WARD
CURRY COUNTY, OREGON
94235 MOORE STREET, SUITE 311
29808 Colvin Street (Physical)
GOLD BEACH, OR 97444
(541) 247-3221 - FAX: 541-247-6893
[email protected]

On 03-31-26 at or about 4:42 p.m. Sheriff`s Office dispatch received a 911 call from twenty-three-year-old Beaverton, Oregon resident, Nikhil Rowland. Rowland advised that he had fallen approximately 20 feet down onto the rocks near the ocean and could not get back up. Rowland advised that he had knocked out his front teeth, was having trouble breathing, and was bleeding.
Rowland advised that his vehicle was parked near mile post 315 on Hwy 101, and he had traveled down a trail to get to his location. Rowland stated that first responders would not be able to see him where he had fallen.
At or about 4:54 p.m., Sgt Jared Gray arrived at the pullout above Frankport and located Rowlands vehicle. Shortly after that, Oregon State Police Trooper, Parker Workman, arrived on scene as well as Cal-Or Life Flight paramedics.
At this time Sheriff`s Office Dispatch was able to determine Rowland`s approximate location by “pinging” his cell phone. Frankport is located about thirteen miles north of Gold Beach.
Trooper Workman and a Cal-Or Paramedic then hiked down the trail all the way to the bottom and were able to locate Rowland in a large cave. Trooper Workman then was able to lead Rowland out of the cave on his own power, so that the paramedic could then attend to him.
While Trooper Workman and Cal-Or paramedic were attending to Rowland, Sgt Gray was able to get his patrol vehicle down the old rutted up roadway. Sgt Gray with the help of Search and Rescue member, Tim Hawkins, were able to navigate through numerous washouts to access the bottom area of Frankport.
Sgt Grays vehicle was then used to transport Rowland, the Cal-Or paramedic, Trooper Workman, and several search and rescue members back to the top of the hill safely.
At or about 5:53 p.m. Rowland was transported to Curry General Hospital by Cal-Or ambulance to be treated for his injuries.

Sergeant Jared Gray

Address

29808 Colvin Street
Gold Beach, OR
97444

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