On June 25th at about 10:30 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of an assault in the 12700 block of Village Loop Road in Swisshome. While en route, deputies learned the suspect, Alexander Blake Cullen, 24, had fled in a vehicle.
Deputies responded to the location and set up on surrounding roads. Thanks to their teamwork, they soon located Cullen in a parking lot in Veneta, roughly 40 miles from where the incident occurred. Cullen was arrested without further incident and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Assault 4 APA, Menacing APA, Coercion, Harassment x2, Criminal Mischief 1, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Cullen was still in custody as of June 28th.
On Saturday, June 22nd at about 9 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue personnel and deputies responded to the Terwilliger Hot Springs to assist Upper McKenzie Fire Department with an unresponsive patient. Shortly after being dispatched, the subject was declared deceased. Search & Rescue assisted with carrying the subject along the hiking path down to the parking lot and deputies began an investigation into the cause of the person’s death. The subject was identified as Jesse James Calkins, 40, of Hines, Oregon. The circumstances of Calkins’ death do not appear to be criminal in nature.
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06/19/24 – LCSO Case #24-3215 – Fatal Motorcycle Crash near Junction City (Photo) – 06/28/24
*UPDATE* – 6/28/24
The deceased rider was identified as Bradd Lee Patterson, 75, of Eugene.
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On the afternoon of June 19th, Deputies with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a single motorcycle crash through a fence along Ayres Lane near Highway 99, Junction City. Witnesses observed the motorcycle attempt to turn onto Ayres Lane from Highway 99 and lose control. The rider was located deceased underneath the motorcycle, a three-wheeled Harley Davidson. The driver’s identity is being withheld at this time.
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6/23/24 – LCSO Case 24-3302 – Deputies arrest menacing suspect in Row River area (Photo) – 06/23/24
On June 23rd just before 5 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Row River Road and Rat Creek for a report of a male armed with a handgun who threatened to kill another person and himself. Dispatch received additional calls from the area reporting shots had been fired. Deputies quickly located a victim and witnesses and assisted people on the bike path to safety.
The suspect was identified as Chance Dean Dixon, 24. After an extensive search, including the use of a K9 and drone, deputies located Dixon hiding in thick brush. He was uncooperative and a Taser was deployed to assist in his arrest. K9 Hektor then located a firearm and other evidence nearby.
Dixon was lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Menacing APA, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Violation of a Restraining Order.
K9 Hektor
6/19/24 – LCSO Case #24-3216 – Lane County Sheriff’s K9 Hektor assists arrest of suspect violating restraining order (Photo) – 06/21/24
On the afternoon of June 19th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 23900 block of High Pass Road for a violation of a restraining order by Jeremy Allen Johnson, 35. When deputies arrived at the victim’s residence, Johnson fled. K9 Hektor and his handler were able to track Johnson, who attempted to hide, and apprehend him. Johnson was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail for Violation of a Restraining Order and Menacing (APA).
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is funded by community donations. All donations go directly to the K9 program to supply food, veterinary care, and equipment. Learn more at https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/about_us_-_now_and_then/police_services_division/k9_unit
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6/4/24 – LCSO Cases 24-2947, 24-2948 – K9 Ripp captures two suspects in one night (Photo) – 06/13/24
On the evening of June 4th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a dispute in the 21900 block of Vaughn Road. Autumn Rae Dowty, 46, had returned to the property after release from jail, in violation of her probation. Deputies responded, but she hid on the large, forested property before they arrived. K9 Ripp was deployed and soon found Dowty on a hillside hiding under a blanket. Dowty refused to comply with instructions. K9 Ripp apprehended Dowty, allowing deputies to safely arrest her. Dowty was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the probation violation.
Just a few hours later, deputies responded to a trespass in the 84600 block of Laughlin Road. Enoch Sunray Michener, 45, had been arrested for trespassing at the location the night before. He arrived back on the property after dark. K9 Ripp was again deployed and tracked Michener to a neighboring property, where he also did not have permission to be. Michener was arrested without further incident and lodged at the Lane County Jail on two counts of Trespass in the 2nd Degree.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is funded by community donations. All donations go directly to the K9 program to supply food, veterinary care, and equipment. Learn more and donate at www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/about_us_-_now_and_then/police_services_division/k9_unit
In 2020, Creswell-area resident Raina Ott entered into a deferred sentencing agreement related to neglect of horses. In January 2023, she was found to have violated the agreement. Ott was convicted, given a 45-day jail sentence, and was put on probation. She was prohibited from any dealings or contact with animals.
Between April 2023 and January 2024, Ott committed a series of probation violations and crimes. Ott purchased nearly 100 head of cattle at livestock auctions in Linn and Lane County using fake names, then sold them via social media. The check used to finalize one purchase bounced. The cows were not returned, nor was the balance paid. In a separate case, Ott switched price tags on items she then purchased at an animal care supply store in Eugene. The total loss to the store was just under $1,000.
On May 17th in Lane County, Ott pled to five counts of Identity Theft, five counts of Theft 1, one count of Theft 2, three counts of felony Animal Neglect 1, two counts of Animal Neglect 2, and being in violation of her probation. Ott was sentenced to 48 months in prison, with 36 months post-prison supervision. She will also be required to pay restitution in two of the involved cases.
On June 12th in Linn County, Ott pled guilty to Aggravated Theft 1 and Negotiating a Bad Check. Ott was given a sentence concurrent to her Lane County sentence. She also was ordered to pay just over $11,000 in restitution to the involved auction yard.
For their work on these cases, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Oregon Department of Justice, Lane County District Attorney’s Office, Linn County District Attorney’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Lane County Animal Services, Greenhill Humane Society, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
On June 5th, Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue and Upper McKenzie Fire personnel began searching the McKenzie River in the area of Belknap Hot Springs for a subject who had been observed in the water just before dark. No other information was known about the subject, and despite extensive search efforts, no one was located.
On June 8th, the Eugene Police Department received a report of a missing person, Tyler Dean Perkins, 26, who was believed to be camping in the area. Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue resumed their efforts, and on the afternoon of June 9th, located Perkins deceased in a log jam in the river. Due to the time of day and dangerous water conditions, plans were made for a recovery mission the next day. On June 10th, Perkins was recovered from the river.
On May 30th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of East 24th Avenue and Henderson Avenue regarding an attempted rape. The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Area law enforcement was notified of the suspect and vehicle, which had left the area before deputies arrived. Detectives began investigating the case.
On June 1st, a deputy noticed a matching vehicle while in Veneta and identified the owner as Bobby Allen Boyd, 50. After conducting additional follow up, detectives arrested Boyd on June 4th and lodged him in the Lane County Jail for Attempted Rape in the First Degree, Strangulation, and Assault in the Fourth Degree.
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Life Jacket Exchange to be held on June 15th thanks to Springfield Elks Lodge donation (Photo) – 06/06/24
Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue and the Springfield Elks Club will be holding a Life Jacket Exchange on June 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Springfield Elks lodge, located at 1701 Centennial Blvd, Springfield. The program’s mission is to ensure every child playing in or near the water has a properly fitting life jacket.
Bring your child and their outgrown or lightly used life jacket to the Springfield Elks Club parking lot on June 15th and exchange it for a properly fitting child’s life jacket. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office and local Elks will be there to help check jackets for form, fit, and function. Life jackets that are turned in for exchange are inspected for safety and handed back out at the event. Any additional life jackets left over after the event will be distributed to life jacket loaner stations throughout the county.
This event is first come first served and the child will need to be present to ensure they get a proper size.
The Life Jacket Exchange was a staple of the Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue for many years thanks to community donations. The Springfield Elks Lodge generously donated life jackets and their facility for the event this year. We are excited to offer this program again to ensure the safety of our community’s children while they enjoy Lane County’s many beautiful water ways.
In June of 2023, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Mapleton after 66-year-old Marsha Quesnell called 911 and stated she had murdered her mother. Upon arrival, deputies found Quesnell’s 85-year-old mother deceased with multiple stab wounds. Quesnell was taken into custody and lodged at the Lane County Jail for charges including Murder. Quesnell has a history of mental health issues and had been previously placed under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) for five years in 2007 after attacking a family member with a knife. She was discharged from that jurisdiction in 2012.
On Thursday, May 23rd, Quesnell was found guilty except for insanity for Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The Lane County Circuit Court ordered that Quesnell be placed under the jurisdiction of the PSRB for the rest of her life for those charges.
“This case was very taxing emotionally and mentally for all involved,” said Sheriff Harrold. “Our deputies performed exceptionally from start to finish, and I’m continually proud of their hard work.” The Sheriff would also like to thank the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for their work on this case.
On January 5th, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy took a report of a large monetary theft from the Lane County Livestock Association. The case was forwarded to the property crimes detective for follow up. During the follow up investigation, the detective determined the money had been stolen by Kevin Douglas Smith, 52, of Springfield. The total amount stolen was around $96,000 dollars.
On May 20th, Smith was arrested for Aggravated Theft in the First Degree.
In 2022, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver, Raymond Martin Kennedy, was initially arrested for Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, and two warrants. Follow up investigation revealed he was also in possession of three handguns (two of which were stolen) and substantial quantities of drugs including suspected fentanyl.
With collaboration between LCSO and the Springfield Police Department, 5 total cases were eventually generated against Kennedy. Unfortunately, Kennedy fled the state to avoid sentencing. He was eventually captured in Indiana and returned to Oregon.
On May 8th, Kennedy pled guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to 70 months in prison.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Eugene Police Department, Springfield Police Department and the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for their work on this and related cases.
Scam Alert
5/31/24 – Lane County targeted by automated phone scam (Photo) – 05/31/24
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has received dozens of reports this morning from our community about an automated phone scam claiming to be our agency. The scam is originating from or providing a callback number of 541-361-3786, and all options on the phone tree result in the caller being asked to send an email to a fraudulent email address, usually some variation of “info” at “civil service agency”.
Residents are advised not to call the scammer back or email any address provided. If you are contacted by this scam, please report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.
We will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty. Scammers usually claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unsettled legal issues. The scammers then ask for payment or personal information, often to avoid arrest. In some instances, the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers or provide fraudulent callback numbers with official-sounding voicemail inboxes. They often already have some personal information based on the phone number they called.
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, please hang up and contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4141.
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