EUGENE, Ore. — A Bend man has pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing a Bend cannabis dispensary while armed with a handgun that malfunctioned during the robbery.
Russell Ian Boggess, 43, pleaded guilty Wednesday to interference with commerce by robbery and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to federal court documents, the robbery occurred on July 23, 2024, when Boggess entered a Bend cannabis dispensary carrying a 9 mm handgun. During the robbery, prosecutors said Boggess attempted to fire the weapon twice, but it jammed both times.
Authorities said a dispensary employee tried to call police during the incident, prompting Boggess to strike the employee in the head with the handgun before fleeing the business with stolen cannabis products.
Witnesses outside the dispensary quickly intervened, subduing Boggess and securing the firearm until law enforcement officers arrived and took him into custody.
A federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment against Boggess on Sept. 19, 2024, charging him with interference with commerce by threats or violence, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Under the terms of his guilty plea, Boggess admitted to the robbery charge and the firearm offense.
He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release for the robbery conviction. The firearm conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. The charge also carries a potential $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
Boggess is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 7, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon announced the guilty plea.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bend Police Department investigated the case. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Nelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren.
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