Man Arrested Following Grass Fire

Jackson Co. Sheriff's Office

SAMS VALLEY, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested a man in connection with a grass fire in Sams Valley on Wednesday.  Deputies say after fire officials contacted the man at the scene, he fled through neighboring properties and tried to hide from deputies.

On June 26, 2019, at 2:31 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting a grass fire in the 11600-block of Duggan Road.  Crews from Fire District 3 and the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to the area.  Deputies assisted with traffic control.  The fire was contained quickly at approximately one-half acre.  

At 2:51 p.m., a resident in the 9100-block of Highway 234 called 911 to report a man was trespassing on his property.  The caller said the man was hiding in the bushes and claimed to have a warrant for his arrest.  Deputies arrived minutes later and saw the man running on Highway 234.  They took him into custody without further incident.  

Deputies identified the man as Dusty Brian Korner, 35, who resides at the property on Duggan Road where the fire had just occurred.  Korner was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender. 

Deputies learned that fire officials had contacted Korner earlier at the scene on Duggan Road, and then he left unexpectedly.  Deputies determined Korner set fire to debris items on the property, which spread to nearby grass but avoided structures.  A family member called 911 to report the fire. 

In addition to the warrant, deputies lodged Korner in the Jackson County jail on charges of reckless burning, second degree criminal trespass (two counts), and failure to register as a sex offender. 

Bail at lodging was $22,500.

Case #19-12895







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