Nationwide Fugitive Died by Apparent Suicide in Central Point Area Traffic Stop
UPDATE: SUSPECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 36-YEAR-OLD FRANKLIN JAMES HODSON OF GRANTS PASS.
A suspect wanted on a nationwide fugitive warrant died by apparent suicide yesterday during a high-risk traffic stop near Central Point.
The Jackson County Sheriff's office reports deputies and United States Marshals were in the Table Rock Road area searching for a suspect with 15 nationwide extraditable warrants for child sex abuse.
Deputies said the suspect was involved in a domestic altercation on Orr Drive in rural Central Point last Sunday when he threatened a woman with a firearm. They developed probable cause for his arrest for Domestic Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Firearm and the sex abuse warrants.
Law enforcement learned of the suspect's whereabouts, attempted to detain him and he eluded capture in a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. Deputies and US Marshals conducted a high-risk traffic stop near the intersection of Orr Drive and Table Rock Road. After a brief standoff, the man apparently shot himself and died.
The suspect was wanted out of California for 15 child sex abuse charges. The felony warrants were for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. The suspect's name will be released following next-of-kin notification.
The Oregon State Police responded to conduct the investigation and all additional information will come from OSP.
Posted on 3/20/25 10:20AM by Sam Marsh
