Federal charges filed against Madras man, days after his arrest on drug trafficking charges
Barney Lerten
EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Madras man arrested last Friday along Interstate 84, accused of trafficking drugs between Washington state and Central Oregon, is facing federal charges after investigators seized about 10 pounds of methamphetamine from his vehicle.
Theodore Ernest Jokinen, 48, made his first appearance in federal court Wednesday after being charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Records show Jokinen, who has drug and other criminal convictions in Central Oregon dating back to the late 1990s, is being held at the Polk County Jail in Dallas, Oregon by the U.S. Marshals Service, pending further federal court proceedings.
According to court documents, detectives from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE) observed Jokinen driving westbound on Interstate 84 near The Dalles.
As KTVZ News reported earlier this week, investigators previously received information that Jokinen had traveled to Yakima, Washington, and was returning to Oregon in possession of methamphetamine intended for distribution in the Central Oregon area.
Jokinen was initially stopped by The Dalles police officers for a traffic infraction. A certified narcotics detection K-9 alerted on Jokinen’s vehicle. Investigators obtained a search warrant for his flatbed truck, and the search turned up about 10 pounds of pre-packaged suspected methamphetamine in the passenger compartment.
Jokinen was on pre-trial release in a Jefferson County felon in possession of a firearm case and has multiple prior convictions for drug delivery, prosecutors said.
The case is being investigated by the CODE and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from The Dalles Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Mid Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Andrew R. Doyle, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Doyle also works with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and as a special assistant U.S. attorney for drug-related cases.
He told KTVZ News the Jokinen arrest led to federal charges “fairly quickly” because there are Drug Enforcement Administration agents on the CODE Team and “Mr. Jokinen has multiple prior convictions” for drug delivery.
Doyle said the federal government “believes he qualifies for what is known as the ‘Career Offender’ enhancement, which will result in a longer sentence” if convicted.
“We felt federal (charges) made sense here due to his Career Offender designation, the increased possible penalties, and the fact Mr. Jokinen has already been sent to (state prison) multiple times.
“From a public safety perspective, he’s a guy who has caused a great deal of harm to the community over the past few decades,” the prosecutor said.
Doyle added, “I’m also fortunate to have the support of DA Gunnels on these CODE cases – Steve was a SAUSA (special assistant U.S. attorney) himself before becoming DA. We also have a GREAT relationship with the Unites States Attorney’s Office in Eugene – so it all came together quickly here.”
“CODE would also like to thank acting Jefferson County DA Steve Leriche, who is a big supporter of the work we are doing,” the prosecutor said.