April 26, 2005
Mail Tribune begins Meth Watch series
By SARAH LEMON
Mail Tribune
In cooperation with the Medford Mail Tribune and KTVL Channel 10, Crime Stoppers of Southern Oregon is beginning a weekly "Meth Watch" column in an effort to help stem the manufacture
and sale of methamphetamine in Southern Oregon. The drug has been recognized locally and statewide as the primary source of most crime. Each Tuesday the Mail Tribune will highlight a person
wanted by law enforcement on charges of delivery and/or manufacture of methamphetamine. KTVL also will air similar alerts each Thursday in its 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.
The Mail Tribune also will publish a weekly compilation of meth crimes and related incidents.
Martin Lanuza Torres is wanted by Medford police for delivery and possession of methamphetamine. He was indicted on the charges on Feb. 17, 2005 and because his whereabouts are unknown, a felony
warrant has been issued for his arrest. The warrant is extraditable in Washington and Idaho with a bail of $30,000.
Torres is described as a Hispanic male, 36 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 230 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Torres may be using several variations of his
Hispanic name, such as Martin Lanuza-Torres, Martin L. Torres, or Martin T.L. The picture shown in today’s paper was taken in October 2002.
Torres’ last known address was on East Main Street in Phoenix, where an informant purchased methamphetamine from him in November 2004.
If you have seen Torres, or have information of his whereabouts, please contact Crime Stoppers of Southern Oregon at 800-3-DETECT (800-333-8328) and refer to case No. MT/MW-111.
Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case or any other unsolved criminal activity. Callers can remain anonymous. The reward is
sponsored by Sonitrol of Southern Oregon.
In conjunction with Meth Watch, the Mail Tribune is compiling weekly statistics to demonstrate the effects of methamphetamine on our community.
Arrests — Fifteen people were arrested last week and lodged in the Jackson County Jail on methamphetamine-related charges. Twelve were arrested for possessing meth, and three were
arrested for possessing and delivering meth. Five arrests were in conjunction with other criminal charges.
Court appearances — Seven people appeared in Jackson County Circuit Court last week on methamphetamine-related charges. Five had been indicted on charges of possessing meth, and two had
been indicted on charges of possessing and delivering meth. Five defendants’ indictments included other criminal charges.
Child welfare — The local child welfare office of the state’s department of human services removed seven children from six homes last week and placed them into protective custody
due to methamphetamine use in the family.
Addiction recovery — Twenty methamphetamine addicts entered outpatient treatment last week at OnTrack Inc., the county’s largest provider of substance abuse treatment.
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