MEDFORD, Ore. (Sep. 29, 2026) — A 32-year-old Medford man is in the Jackson County Jail after authorities say he repeatedly attempted to elude law enforcement and was found with more than 100 grams of fentanyl, nearly 400 grams of heroin, methamphetamine and a loaded firearm.
Ismael Garcia-Nava Jr. was arrested Sept. 19 after Central Point police say he crashed while attempting to elude a traffic stop. The arrest followed an Aug. 12 incident in which Garcia-Nava allegedly fled from Jackson County sheriff’s deputies and later crashed in Medford.
The investigation led to multiple search warrants and the seizure of drugs, packaging materials, digital scales and a loaded firearm, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Central Point Police Department.
On Aug. 12, JCSO deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. The vehicle allegedly fled into an industrial area, where the deputy lost sight of it. Medford police later located the vehicle, which continued to elude officers before crashing on Elk Street in Medford.
MPD assisted JCSO with establishing a perimeter and deploying a drone. Garcia-Nava was reportedly spotted fleeing on foot and jumping fences within the perimeter before he was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities said Garcia-Nava had an active warrant related to an unlawful delivery of heroin parole violation. He was lodged in jail, and his vehicle was seized under a warrant for further investigation.
Because of jail overcrowding, Garcia-Nava was released Aug. 22, according to authorities.
The following day, JCSO deputies executed a search warrant on his vehicle. Investigators reported finding 41 grams of fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, 93 grams of marijuana, drug packaging, a digital scale and a loaded semiautomatic handgun.
Additional charges were filed, and a warrant was entered for Garcia-Nava’s arrest.
On Sept. 19, Central Point police attempted to stop Garcia-Nava near Hanley Road and West Pine Street. Police said he again attempted to elude officers.
After the pursuit was terminated, Garcia-Nava allegedly continued driving recklessly through heavy traffic before crashing at North Front and Laurel streets. He then fled on foot and discarded a shoulder bag before officers arrested him without incident.
A search warrant was granted Sept. 24 for the discarded bag. Central Point police said officers found 396 grams of heroin, 64 grams of fentanyl and 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, along with a digital scale and drug packaging.
Garcia-Nava faces charges including unlawful possession, manufacture and delivery of controlled substances, felon in possession of a firearm, multiple counts of attempting to elude and reckless driving.
The case remains under investigation. Authorities said no additional information is available for release at this time.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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