Southern Oregon Man Found Guilty of Boobytrapping Home, Injuring FBI Bomb Technician

Gregory Lee Rodvelt, a 71-year-old former resident of Williams, Oregon, was convicted of assaulting a federal officer and using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to court documents, on September 7, 2018, bomb technicians from the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the FBI arrived at a property in Williams, previously owned by Rodvelt, which he had lost in a lawsuit. Upon learning that a receiver had been appointed to sell the property, Rodvelt took actions to boobytrap it.

When the bomb technicians arrived at the property, they discovered a minivan blocking the gate. They found steel animal traps attached to a gate post and under the minivan’s hood. Additionally, homemade spike strips were located, which the receiver had previously driven over. As the technicians approached the residence, they noticed a hot tub positioned on its side and rigged in a way that opening a gate would activate a mechanical trigger, causing the spa to roll toward the person opening the gate.

Further investigation revealed barred windows and security doors at the front and rear of the residence. The front door displayed apparent bullet holes from shots fired inside. In the garage, a modified rat trap designed to accommodate a shotgun shell was discovered. Although the trap was unloaded, it was connected to the main garage door to activate when opened.

The technicians, along with two other law enforcement officers, gathered near the front of the residence and utilized an explosive charge to breach the front door. They cautiously entered the premises, searching for traps, and encountered a wheelchair in the center of the front entryway. Triggering the wheelchair set off a homemade shotgun device that discharged a .410 shotgun shell, striking the FBI bomb technician below the knee. Immediate first aid was administered, and the injured technician was transported to a local hospital.

Assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Rodvelt’s sentencing will take place at a later date, presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the FBI, with support from the Oregon State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Prosecution was led by Judith R. Harper and Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.