In southern Oregon, Peter Michael Shepherd, 63, a former narcotics detective and current reserve officer was arrested last week after a drug task force found 1,200 illegal marijuana plants growing on his property. He faces felony charges of unlawful manufacture of marijuana and “engaging in a financial transaction in property derived from unlawful activity.”
Shepherd ran for Klamath County Sheriff in 2012 and worked for the Sheriff’s Office from 1990 to 2004 as a patrol officer and narcotics detective, among other positions. Since 2007, he has worked part-time for the Malin Police Department. Ron Broussard, Malin police chief, said he hastened to put Shepherd on leave Tuesday.
Klamath County Sheriff’s Office and Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team visited Shepherd’s rural property on Sept. 16 after receiving a tip alleging illegal activity there. Shepherd said plants growing at the location were part of a licensed hemp operation managed by Eric Smith, the lease owner.
Oregon State Police Sergeant Cliff Barden, who is also the BINET supervisor, said the property was leased to Smith, who was not licensed to grow hemp or marijuana at the location. Barden said the grower, Smith, had a legal permit to grow hemp elsewhere. Test results conducted by the Oregon State Police showed the plants were marijuana, Shepherd and Smith were indicted by a grand jury.
