SALEM, OR -- Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) just learned that Jeff Maxwell, the Western Oregon University (WOU) Student who was illegally arrested and subsequently suspended from school for carrying a concealed weapon was just told that he cannot attend ANY Oregon University.

Michelle Sandlin, admissions director of Oregon State University, told Maxwell today that he would not be allowed to attend OSU, even though they admitted him recently- after he was suspended by WOU.

Maxwell has a concealed handgun permit, and is permitted to carry a handgun according to Oregon Law, and the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution. Western Oregon University has since withdrawn their charge against Maxwell for carrying a handgun, but came up with a trumped charge about his carrying a knife and having an unloaded hunting rifle in his locked vehicle. All charges were dropped by the Sheriff’s office as inappropriate, but WOU officials stand by their ruling and punishment of Maxwell.

Jess Barton, the Salem attorney retained by OWVA to represent Maxwell, who is a veteran Marine and member of the association, told OWVA’s executive director, Greg Warnock, that, “Oregon law affords Jeff Maxwell a full and fair opportunity to establish that WOU wrongfully suspended him based on his mere possession of items that ordinary and constitutional law deem lawful....” Barton, a seasoned appellate attorney is confident in winning the case for Maxwell.

Barton will file a petition for judicial review at the Oregon Court of Appeals this month, to force the university to redress their wrong official action taken, as well as ask for penalties and attorney fees. Restitution will also be sought now, since Maxwell has lost his GI Educational Benefits, including housing and other expenses when he was suspended. He also lost the tuition and fees and book charges for last semester, which he prepaid.

OWVA and their legal counsel is representing Maxwell in this case because “we believe that the U.S. Constitution, and Oregon Statues trump the policies of the university system, and we are shocked at the humiliating treatment WOU has dished out to a responsible, veteran Marine, who broke no laws what-so-ever,” reported Warnock to Melica Johnson, from KATU News recently. “WOU’s immature, irresponsible and illegal actions will unfortunately cost the State of Oregon an enormous amount of money in damages- when they have no money to spare. It is shameful.”

In addition to filing a petition for a State judicial review in the Oregon Courts, OWVA and the Oregon Firearms Federation are supporting federal charges against WOU and the Oregon University System (OUS), for violations against Maxwell’s civil rights. The Law firm of BOPP, COLESON & BOSTROM, a very successful firm out of Indiana, have been retained by OWVA and will provide counsel in this case as needed.

For more information, please contact:

Jess Barton

Attorney at Law

jessbarton@msn.com

Phone (503) 391-6283

Greg Warnock

Executive Director, OWVA

greg@owva.org

Phone (503) 689-4145

