January 31, 2022 11:00 a.m.
A Myrtle Creek man is jailed on juvenile sex crime charges.
Detective Kevin Taggart said on January 26th, MCPD became aware of a case involving sex crimes against a juvenile female. During the investigation, Detective Taggart said the suspect was identified as 78-year Michael Wetherbee.
On Saturday at about 12:00 p.m. the suspect was contacted during a traffic stop by Myrtle Creek Police and deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Wetherbee was taken into custody without incident.
Detective Taggart said officers responded to an apartment complex in the 700 block of Northeast Johnston Street to serve a search warrant on the suspect’s residence. During the investigation, it was found that Wetherbee had what appeared to be two hand grenades hanging on his living room wall. The Oregon State Police Bomb Squad responded and assisted with the removal of the inert grenades from the home.
Detective Taggart said after evidence was collected police interviewed Wetherbee, who allegedly admitted to sexually abusing the juvenile female, as well as taking nude photos of her and another juvenile female. Both juveniles were known to Wetherbee.
The suspect was taken to Corrections on first-degree counts of rape, sodomy and sex abuse and two counts of encouraging child sex abuse. Bail was set at $1.1 million.
MCPD has released Wetherbee’s booking photo as Detective Taggart said there is strong reason to believe that there are other victims out there. Anyone with a child that has had contact with the suspect is asked to call MCPD at 440-4471.