April 10, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

     This morning, Deputies and Officers from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department responded to the Quality Inn on River Parkway investigating information that wanted subject Justin Derek Ferguson, 28 of Idaho Falls, was staying at that location.  Ferguson was wanted on a Felony Parole Violation Warrant as well as a Bonneville County Felony Warrant for a Sex Offender Registry Violation.

     Local officers along with Officers from Idaho Probation and Parole had been pursuing leads on Ferguson’s whereabouts for several days that lead to finding him this morning in a room at the Quality Inn with a girlfriend. Deputies attempted to make contact with Ferguson at his hotel room and take him into custody but he refused to come out and was preventing his girlfriend from leaving. During this time Ferguson made threats to harm himself and officers, indicating that he was in possession of a knife and a firearm and had been using drugs.

     More personnel were summoned to the area along with the activation of SWAT units from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department.  Arriving personnel from both agencies and the Idaho State Police assisted in clearing the area around the hotel and nearby greenbelt, temporarily shutting down the road and evacuating the hotel in order to contain the situation to a small area and keep people safe from it.

     Deputies negotiated with Ferguson for several hours until eventually he agreed to let his girlfriend leave the room.  After she was brought to safety, negotiations continued until Ferguson quit communicating whatsoever with Deputies. 

     Due to indications Ferguson made of harming himself and drug usage, SWAT units forced entry through a wall past the barricaded door.  Immediately after gaining control of the room Deputies found that Ferguson had barricaded himself in the bathroom and refused to come out, while continuing to make threats of harm to himself and the Officers.  SWAT units were able to deploy gas cannisters into the bathroom and force entry inside to take Ferguson into custody. 

     Other than exposure to gas, Ferguson and Officers on scene were unharmed.  Idaho Falls Fire Personnel on scene assisting were able to check Ferguson prior to him being transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for a medical clearance.  

     After the medical clearance Deputies transported Ferguson to the Bonneville County Jail where he was booked on the two outstanding Felony Warrants. Deputies are continuing to investigate and further charges are pending at this time. 

     The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank Quality Inn staff for their assistance in helping Deputies mitigate this incident on their property as quick and efficient as possible while officers on scene took the necessary time to negotiate a safe outcome for those affected.  The Sheriff’s Office also thanks the public and local businesses affected for their patience during this disruption.  All roads and the Quality Inn have since reopened for business as usual.