In January 2019, detectives with the Deschutes county Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit received information and then began a criminal investigation into the illegal introduction of controlled substances into the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail (DCSOAJ).
The subsequent investigation identified multiple items of mail that were being sent into DCSOAJ inmates. Many of these items of mail were found to contain suspected Suboxone, a Schedule III Controlled Substance. The Suboxone was being concealed inside specifically chosen packaging in an attempt to avoid detection.
Several of the items of mail were addressed to Phillip M. Anderson of Portland, who was lodged in the jail during this time. Deborah L. Anderson of Portland was identified as the sender of these mail items. Deborah is Phillip’s mother. Multiple search warrants were subsequently executed, including one at Deborah’s residence in southwest Portland. Evidence seized during the warrant included methamphetamine, heroin, other controlled substances, packaging materials, and scales; along with additional evidence linking her to the Deschutes County case. Deborah was arrested by the Portland Police Bureau during the search warrant on arrest warrants and local charges, then lodged at the Multnomah County Jail. She was later transferred to the DCSOAJ.
Phillip was contacted in the jail and lodged on the additional charges listed above in March 2019.
During this investigation, additional items of mail sent to Derek E. Chamberlain, of Bend, were identified, searched and found to contain suspected Suboxone. Zachary L. Hahn of Bend was identified as the suspected sender of these mail items. Chamberlain and Hahn were both arrested on the above charges in March 2019.
The DCSOAJ actively works to prevent the possession or introduction of any illegal drugs into the facility. The DCSOAJ also cares for and manages many inmates who arrive at the jail intoxicated or in medical distress due to various chronic illnesses.
We know many Americans struggle with substance abuse disorders related to opioid drugs (heroin or prescription painkillers). The DCSOAJ has specific protocols in place to both safely monitor someone who is intoxicated and carefully manage their detoxification. Our goal is to release a person back to our community not under the influence of any intoxicant.
Suboxone is typically prescribed by a professional medical provider to assist with detoxing from opioids and is an opioid agonist (buprenorphine) with a blocker (naloxone). It is known to be abused in place of other opioids, as well as a treatment for opioid abuse. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Like other opioids commonly abused, buprenorphine is capable of producing significant euphoria. Data from other countries indicate that buprenorphine has been abused by various routes of administration (sublingual, intranasal and injection) and has gained popularity as a heroin substitute and as a primary drug of abuse.
