Medford, Oregon- A Medford man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison in connection with an explosion caused by the illegal manufacture of marijuana extract at a local shelter site in October 2024.
On April 3, 2025, Steven Perron, 56, pled guilty in Jackson County Circuit Court to Arson Incident to the Manufacture of a Cannabinoid Extract in the First Degree. The charge stems from an explosion and fire that occurred on October 16, 2024, at a tent located at Rogue Retreat Crossings, a low-barrier urban campground serving unhoused individuals in Medford.
According to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, Perron admitted to producing marijuana oil, commonly referred to as Butane Hash Oil (BHO), inside his tent using butane fuel. The process resulted in an explosion that was captured on surveillance footage and posed a serious threat to neighboring tents. One individual was reportedly asleep in an adjacent tent at the time.
Medford Police and Medford Fire Department personnel responded to the fire. Deputy Fire Marshal Metheny led the investigation and determined that the explosion was caused by butane, a volatile and flammable gas frequently used in the illegal extraction of marijuana concentrates.
Perron sustained injuries and was treated at a local hospital. No other individuals were physically harmed. However, the proximity of others at the site and the potential for greater harm influenced the sentencing decision.
Judge Christine Herbert imposed the 40-month sentence based on a negotiated recommendation from the District Attorney’s Office. Following his prison term, Perron will serve three years of post-prison supervision.
Rogue Retreat Crossings, located at 722 Western Avenue, has a capacity of 150 beds and provides shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Source: JCDA
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