DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Oregon

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, October 21, 2014
S. Amanda Marshall
, United States Attorney
Contact: Gerri Badden

Medford Felon Sentenced to 10 Years Federal Prison for Possessing Firearm

MEDFORD, OREGON— On Monday, October 20, 2014, Senior U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner sentenced Dennis William Lee, 45, of Medford, Oregon, to 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sanchez will be on three years of supervised release after he completes his prison term. Lee’s 10-year sentence is the maximum allowed under federal law.


On November 12, 2013, the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team (MADGE) served a search warrant at defendant’s residence after developing probable cause through surveillance and controlled heroin purchases from Lee. Lee was standing outside when police approached and he grabbed a female standing next to him, shoved her at the police, and turned to flee, only to encounter two MADGE detectives approaching from behind. Lee threw a cup of alcoholic beverage into one detective’s face and then collided into him. Officers wrestled Lee to the ground, where he continued fighting until he was tased and taken into custody.


Officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in Lee’s pocket and $2,616 cash. Detectives searched Lee’s trailer and found digital scales, a half-pound marijuana, $6,975 cash, and assorted drug packaging materials that smelled of heroin, and a small amount of methamphetamine.


Lee recently moved to Medford from Sacramento, California. His criminal history shows 40 arrests, with felony convictions for obstruct/resisting executive officer in 2007 (16 months prison), possession of heroin for sale in 2005 (four years prison), possession of methamphetamine for sale in 1997 (five years prison), sale of rock cocaine in 1990 (three years prison), possession of a controlled substance in 1993 (three years prison), and receiving stolen property in 2010 (16 months prison). In addition, Lee has misdemeanor convictions for assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools and reckless driving.


This case was investigated jointly by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas W. Fong.

Seattle Field Division