On the 23rd of February 2011, at approximately 10:52 PM, Officer Tim Miears of the Hermiston Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a white Mazda sedan with Oregon registration plates ZYK561 in the area of E Highland Avenue and SE 6th Street.  Officer Miears recognized the driver as Richard Lee Griffin 26 years of age of 275 NW 13th Street #A, Hermiston, and knew him to have a revoked driver’s license.

During the encounter Mr. Griffin was found to be in a possession of a loaded .45 caliber pistol.  Mr. Griffin who is a known offender of this agency, was ultimately charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Less than an Ounce of Marijuana, and Driving While Revoked.

Prior to being lodged at the Umatilla County Jail in Pendleton, Mr. Griffin made threats of what will take place during future contacts with law enforcement. 

“Once again, a traffic stop led to the temporary removal of this chronic offender from the streets,” says Lt. Jason Edmiston