The Cowlitz Wahikiakum Drug Task Force (CWDTF) along with members of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Tactical Detective Unit arrested Charles R. Norgaard on seven counts of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and also possessing heroin and marijuana.
Norgaard, 80, was taken into custody Aug. 23 at approximately 10 a.m. at Dollars Corner after undercover detectives set up a meeting with him away from his house, completing the sale of a boat.
When he was contacted, authorities found Norgaard carrying a 45-caliber handgun and two spare clips of ammunition. He was taken into custody while the CWTDF served a search warrant on his property at 28400 N.E. 91st Ave. in Battle Ground. Detectives located six other firearms and a small amount of heroin, and 50 marijuana plants both inside and outside of his home.
“Among the weapons we found was an AK-47 style rifle by his front door with two full 30-round magazines taped together combat-style so he could switch them out quickly,” said CWTDF Supervising Sgt. Kevin Tate. “There was a second pair of taped magazines by the rifle and they contained bullets that our body armor may not have been able to protect us from.”
Elsewhere in the home, they located two “cap-and-ball” pistols in hiding spots. They were also loaded and had spare firing charges beside them.
“From what we found at the scene, it appeared Mr. Norgaard was prepared for defending himself and his property,” Tate said. “It makes our apprehension of him away from his home more valuable because a standoff may have been likely had we done so there.”
Tate added that Norgaard’s neighbors were questioned, and authorities were told gunfire had been heard from his property and used cartridges were found at the scene.
Norgaard was awaiting sentencing on drug charges in Cowlitz County from a 2010 case at the time of his arrest. Tate said his department received information that threats had been made against parties involved in that investigation, including a Cowlitz County District Attorney.
Norgaard has a history of firearm violations and drug possession arrests dating back to 1999, when federal agents raided his home. They seized marijuana, 23 guns and more than 7,500 rounds of ammunition.
Prior to that, Norgaard served 6 and 1/2 years after being convicted of first-degree kidnapping and possessing marijuana, according to Clark County Superior Court Records.
Norgaard was booked into the Clark County Jail and was scheduled to be arraigned in Clark County District Court on Aug. 24.
