A Portland man has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to an announcement on Mar. 31.
Aaron Nathaniel Gabbert, 50, appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge following his arrest. The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to address narcotics distribution and related offenses in the region.
Court documents state that on March 25, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Gabbert’s residence after identifying him as a suspected narcotics distributor. Investigators seized 34 firearms—including rifles, shotguns, and handguns—many of which were loaded. They also found approximately one pound of cocaine, a ballistic helmet and vest, over $11,000 in cash, an apparent 3-D printed firearm suppressor or silencer, and what appeared to be two destructive devices.
The majority of the cocaine was reportedly found in the basement along with multiple firearms. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit Dangerous Drugs Team are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott M. Kerin and Kemp Strickland are prosecuting it.
Officials emphasized that "a criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty." The Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program is involved as part of its coordination among multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force aims to eliminate criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational organizations, human smuggling operations—and places special emphasis on crimes involving children—as well as prosecuting violent criminal aliens for removal from the United States.
Scott Bradford has served as U.S. Attorney for Oregon after previously holding roles such as Chief of the White Collar Unit and Acting Chief of Counterintelligence according to the official website. The office engages in community outreach across Oregon according to its official website, maintains offices in Portland, Eugene, and Medford according to its official website, operates under the Department of Justice as one out of ninety-three such offices nationwide according to its official website, employs 107 staff members according to its official website, and seeks justice while fostering trust in federal courts according to its official website.
