REDMOND, Ore. -- The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and Redmond Police Street Crimes Unit conducted an investigation that led to the arrests of three men on methamphetamine and firearm charges. One also is charged with the kidnapping and assault of a man who was tied to a tree and had a finger removed, officials said late Friday.

The abduction and assault in Deschutes County resulted in the activation of the Central Oregon MIT (Major Incident Team) and CERT (Central Oregon Emergency Response Team), Redmond Police Lt. April Huey said.

The Redmond Police SCU's investigation ended in Jefferson County and led to the seizure of a gun and "a substantial amount of methamphetamine," Huey said.

During the investigation, RPD detectives received information that Jeffrey Patton, 51, of Redmond, was returning from the Portland area. RPD SCU Detectives asked for help from the  Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and CODE Team detectives to find Patton when he returned to Central Oregon.

A vehicle of interest in the investigation was identified by detectives and pulled over by Jefferson County sheriff's deputies.

Thomas Dopp, 57, also of Redmond, was identified as the driver and Patton was the passenger. During the stop, CODE Team K-9 Dozer was deployed to the vehicle's exterior and alerted to the presence of drugs, Huey said.

RPD was granted a search warrant that led to the seizure of a gun and more than two pounds of suspected methamphetamine. Dopp and Patton were booked into the Jefferson County Jail on firearm, drug possession and delivery charges.

In working with RPD SCU detectives, CODE identified a third man, Efram Palafox, 41, of Bend, as an associate of Patton, the lieutenant said.

After the other two men's arrest, CODE Team detectives began preparing a search warrant for a residence associated with Palafox on the Powell Butte Highway.

Before the warrant was approved, the CODE Team got information of a possible weapon offense and assault involving Palafox, Huey said.

As CODE Detectives obtained evidence about the additional crimes, the Central Oregon Major Incident Team (MIT) was activated to help, with RPD leading the investigation. Due to the nature of the weapons assault charges, CODE asked for help from CERT to execute the warrant on Palafox’s home.

During the investigation, Palafox was located in the area of NE Butler Market Road and 27th Street in Bend and was taken into custody without incident, Huey said.

Palafox was found to possess a "substantial amount" of methamphetamine and an undisclosed amount of cash.  CODE conducted the raid Wednesday on Palafox’s home on the Powell Butte Highway.

After the raid, Palafox was charged in addition with cocaine possession and seven counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Huey said. Palafox was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.

Around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, a 57-year-old Redmond man was reported missing by his daughter where he was last seen around 11:30 p.m. the previous night at St. Charles Redmond, Huey said.

RPD detectives recovered surveillance video from St. Charles that identified Palafox as being last seen with the missing man. The ongoing investigation led to information that confirmed the missing man had been forced to leave the location against his will. That prompted activation of the Central Oregon Major Incident Team (MIT).

The MIT assisted in the investigation led by RPD. They identified an area southeast of Redmond where the male victim was tied to a tree and a finger was removed during an assault, Huey said.

"The victim was also tattooed in a derogatory manner," the lieutenant added.

The seriously injured victim was found on Wednesday, walking along near Deschutes Pet Lodge, the area of SW Canal Boulevard and 61st street. Deschutes County deputies contacted the man and provided aid until he was taken to St. Charles Bend.

Huey said the victim provided information consistent with CODE’s investigation that Palafox was involved in the assault and abduction. 

Another search warrant was executed on Palafox’s home, the same location CODE had raided on Powell Butte Highway. That led to the recovery of the missing finger, along with DNA evidence and the possible weapon used, Huey said.

Palafox was additionally charged with first-degree kidnapping, first- and second-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and booked into the Deschutes County Adult Jail.

The investigation was complex spanned over multiple locations and involved several resources and agencies.

"RPD would like thank CODE, the Central Oregon MIT, Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, CERT, Oregon State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and St. Charles Medical Center for their assistance with the investigation," Huey said.

Court records show Patton has a lengthy criminal history, including a 2024 guilty plea to unlawful use of a weapon. Other charges, including coercion and menacing, were dismissed at the time. He also pleaded guilty that same year to identity theft in Wasco County and received a 25-month prison sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to methamphetamine manufacture in Deschutes County

Patton was arraigned Wednesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court on the Class B and C felony charges and Judge Daina Vitolins set his bail at $1 million. He is due back in court next Wednesday on an expected formal indictment.

Bail also was set at $1 million for Dopp, who court records show also has a long criminal history. He pleaded guilty in 2024 to a Deschutes County charge of drug manufacturing and delivery. He received a 30-month prison term.

As for Palafox, whose criminal record dates back to 2003, the new initial charging document alleges he seriously injured his victim "by means of a battery operated reciprocating saw (sawsall)."