Medford, Oregon— Gregory Lee Rodvelt, a 72-year-old former resident of Williams, Oregon, has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release after boobytrapping a southern Oregon home, resulting in the injury of an FBI bomb technician.
“Fueled by anger and bitterness, this defendant boobytrapped a property in southern Oregon with the intent to seriously injure someone. Unfortunately, his trap worked, and he injured an FBI bomb technician,” stated Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices.
Rodvelt’s actions were described by Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office, as efforts to set intricate and deadly concealed traps to impede FBI agents from performing their duties. “Mr. Rodvelt knew he was breaking the law, and his reprehensible actions are what landed him this sentence,” Ramsey added.
Jonathan T. McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Seattle Field Division, emphasized the seriousness of Rodvelt’s actions and expressed gratitude that the FBI bomb technician survived the vicious attempt. “We hope that this sentence sends a strong message to not only Mr. Rodvelt but anyone who would contemplate doing something like this.”
Sergeant Kevin DelGrande of Oregon State Police highlighted the dangers explosive devices pose to responding law enforcement officers, emphasizing gratitude that the incident did not result in more critical or fatal injuries.
According to court documents, the incident unfolded on September 7, 2018, when bomb technicians from Oregon State Police and the FBI went to a property in Williams, formerly owned by Rodvelt, who had lost it in a lawsuit. The technicians discovered a series of traps, including steel animal traps, homemade spike strips, and a rigged hot tub designed to roll toward anyone opening a gate.
As the technicians breached the front door, they encountered further traps, including a wheelchair triggered to discharge a modified shotgun device. The FBI bomb technician was struck below the knee, necessitating immediate first aid and transport to a local hospital.
On June 2, 2023, a federal jury in Medford found Rodvelt guilty of assaulting a federal officer and using/discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Source: US DOJ
