Due to many factors, including recent legislation and case law, narcotic investigations have become more challenging for law enforcement throughout the state of Oregon. TCSO is proud that our deputies are still out there, performing their due diligence, and investigating criminal activity relating to narcotics that rise to the level of crimes, and especially in those cases where children are endangered.
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Tillamook County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two people for having significant amounts of suspected fentanyl in a vehicle where two young children were also located.
TCSO Corporal Chris Barnett was riding with Deputy Travis Patterson, serving as his Field Training Officer (FTO), when they learned that a male passenger, that they had contacted earlier in the day during a traffic stop, had an outstanding felony warrant out of Multnomah County for Attempting to Elude a Police Officer. The deputies located the vehicle parked at 9th Street Park in Tillamook, with the same passenger sitting inside.
During the course of their investigation, a significant amount of suspected Fentanyl, in powder and pressed pill form, drug packaging material and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle. Along with the adult female driver, and adult male passenger, there were two children under the age of 6 also in the vehicle.
Child Protection Services were called and placed the children with appropriate family members. Josse Marie Pyshny, 31, of Tillamook, was arrested on charges of Endangering the Welfare of a minor and Possession of Substantial Quantity of Fentanyl. Kenny Wirth Jr, 31, of Tillamook was arrested and lodged on the outstanding felony warrant — however, deputies will be seeking charges for the Substantial Quantity of Fentanyl and Endangering the Welfare of a minor for Wirth as well.
The case is being forwarded to the Tillamook County District Attorney’s Office for prosecutorial consideration. Thanks to Tillamook Police and Tillamook 911 for their assistance.