ASHLAND, Ore. – A 34-year-old Ashland man is facing numerous charges after a series of violent incidents that took place earlier this month. James David Lee Hergett was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail, where he remains with bail set at $750,000.
Hergett was indicted by the Jackson County Grand Jury on Thursday, facing a range of serious charges, including first- and second-degree kidnapping, coercion with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing domestic violence, second-degree attempted assault, harassment, and first- and third-degree sex abuse.
The Ashland Police Department (APD) first responded to a report on April 8, in which Hergett was accused of holding a man captive for 48 hours while assaulting him with firearms. Due to the presence of multiple weapons and the potential danger to the surrounding community, officers were initially unable to intervene. APD officials noted that taking immediate action could have escalated the situation and posed a risk to public safety.
Just days later, on the morning of April 12, police received another report involving Hergett, this time for vandalizing property in downtown Ashland. As officers arrived to confront him, Hergett reportedly assaulted several people before fleeing the scene. While attempting to escape, he tried to force his way into a nearby residence, where he allegedly assaulted the occupant.
Hergett’s violent behavior continued when he confronted officers. He assaulted two police officers before being subdued with a Taser. Following his arrest, authorities obtained a search warrant for Hergett’s home on Iowa Street, where they seized several firearms.
The charges against Hergett paint a picture of a dangerous individual with a history of violent tendencies. His violent outbursts, coupled with the threat posed by the firearms, led authorities to take swift action in bringing him into custody.
Hergett’s arrest marks a significant development in a case that has shaken the Ashland community. As he awaits trial, the public remains on edge, with questions lingering about the full extent of his actions and the reasons behind his violent behavior.
Hergett is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail, with his bail set at $750,000. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to piece together the events surrounding these disturbing incidents.