Gregory Lee Rodvelt, Assault on Federal Officer, Oregon 2018

Related Federal Cases

James William Wilson, Boobytrapped Home, Medford OR, 2023 · Washington
Gary Rowland Jr. Sentenced for Wounded Knee Home Invasion · Oregon
Unknown Caucasian Adult Male, Bank Robbery, Anchorage AK, 2024 · Oregon
Eric Richard Bruns, Assault on Flight Crew, Juneau AK, 2023 · Montana
Marc Hetsler, Fear Assault, Anchorage AK, 2023 · Washington

Table of Contents

Medford Man Found Guilty of Boobytrapped Home Assault

A federal jury in Medford has convicted 71-year-old Gregory Lee Rodvelt of boobytrapping his home, which resulted in the injury of an FBI bomb technician.

The incident occurred on September 7, 2018, when bomb technicians from the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the FBI arrived at a property in Williams, Oregon, formerly owned by Rodvelt. The property had been lost in a lawsuit, and Rodvelt had boobytrapped it in an attempt to prevent its sale.

The bomb technicians observed several booby traps, including steel animal traps, homemade spike strips, and a hot tub rigged to roll towards anyone who opened the gate. They also found a wheelchair that triggered a homemade shotgun device when bumped.

When the technicians and other law enforcement officers entered the residence, they used an explosive charge to breach the front door. Inside, they found the wheelchair, which triggered the shotgun device, discharging a .410 shotgun shell that struck the FBI bomb technician below the knee.

Rodvelt was found guilty of assaulting a federal officer and using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the assault charge and up to life in prison for the firearms charge. His sentencing is scheduled for a later date by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.

The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Oregon State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper and Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Rodvelt’s actions put the lives of law enforcement officers at risk, and his conviction serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who protect and serve our communities.