SEKIU — A 46-year-old man who authorities said has been convicted of at least 12 felonies has been arrested for investigation of drug sales and unlawful possession of a firearm.
James Gerrard “Chipper” Rode was arrested at about 10:30 a.m. Friday at his home at 13643 state Highway 112, which is west of Sekiu.
He is in custody in the Clallam County jail with no bail set for investigation of delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team made the arrest after an investigation involving several agencies over several weeks, said OPNET Detective Sgt. Jason Viada.
Viada said detectives had made five purchases of OxyContin from Rode.
“Rode was selected by OPNET in part because of his extensive criminal history,” Viada said in a statement.
“Rode is a Level 3 [high risk to reoffend] sex offender, and Rode’s criminal history includes at least 21 previous convictions,” Viada said in the statement.
“Twelve of those convictions are for felonies and include possession of a firearm, residential burglary, malicious mischief and possession of stolen property.”
He is not allowed to possess weapons because of his criminal history.
Both handguns and rifles were found in the residence.
Viada declined to provide additional details since that would involve commenting on evidence.
“This is a good example of a case of extremely high importance to OPNET,” said Viada, a Port Angeles Police Department detective assigned to the agency, which includes law enforcement officers from agencies in both Clallam and Jefferson counties.
