Follow EDN on Social Media |

Crime_Scene.jpg

Crime_Scene.jpg

LCSO Case #22-5338 — Search Warrant — Internet Child Sex Crimes Suspect Arrested (Photo)10/20/22

Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives recently received information from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that a subject, later identified as 22 year old Matthew Aaron Blomquist, had uploaded approximately 40 separate files of child pornography to a messaging platform named ‘Kik’.  As deputies investigated, they learned that Blomquist had been living at a residence in the 80000blk of Horn Rd. north of Cottage Grove. 

FBI investigators obtained a search warrant for Blomquist’s residence.  LCSO detectives assisted the FBI with the execution of this warrant on Wednesday of this week.  Several videos containing homemade child pornography were located on Blomquist’s phone. Evidence was also discovered indicating that Blomquist has been filming himself sexually abusing a child in the recent past.  

Blomquist was taken into custody and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges including Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree, Using a Child in Display of a Sex Act, Encouraging Child Exploitation in the 1st Degree, and Encouraging Child Exploitation in the 2nd Degree. 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the FBI Eugene Office for their assistance with this case. 

Lab_2.png

Lab_2.png

LCSO Case #22-5858 — Search Warrant Served on Illegal Butane Hash Oil Lab (Photo)10/20/22

On 10-17-2022 Detectives from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police were contacted by OLCC inspectors regarding an illegal butane hash oil (BHO) extraction lab on property in the 83700blk of Raintree St. near Pleasant Hill.  OLCC had responded to the location for a site inspection of a permitted growing operation and noted the BHO lab, as well as marijuana and products outside of the permitted site.  

Detectives from LCSO and OSP responded to the location and contacted the owner/permittee. Investigators applied for and were granted a search warrant executed by detectives and DEA personnel. 

Two labs were located on the property.  One inside the residential garage and another was under a covered section outside the garage.  The indoor lab was active and butane vapor was actively venting from a vessel inside the garage.    This odorless vapor is highly volatile and creates a substantial danger of fire and explosion.

The garage and residence were evacuated and guarded overnight to allow the butane in the air to dissipate.  Members of OSP and DEA clandestine lab teams arrived the morning of 10-18-2022 and rendered the illegal labs safe.  LCSO seized portions of the lab equipment.  Hundreds of pounds of marijuana in various states of processing, including 533 plants, were destroyed and commercial amounts of BHO, firearms and currency were seized.    

LCSO and OSP were assisted on scene by the DEA, Douglas County Interagency Team (DINT), and Pleasant Hill / Goshen Fire department.  The case will be referred to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for charges.  Lane County Code Compliance and the State Watermaster will follow up on numerous violations found at the site.

Every 15 Minutes – Impaired Driving Education for High Schoolers10/17/22

This week the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Mohawk Valley Rural Fire Department will be hosting the Every 15 Minutes program at Mohawk High School. 

Every 15 Minutes is a two-day underage drinking and driving prevention program which 

challenges teens to think before drinking and operating any type of motor vehicle, riding in one after the operator has been drinking, or engaging in activities that cause them to become distracted such as cell phone usage. It also focuses on the impacts those decisions have on family, friends, and the people you leave behind when someone is killed as a result of an alcohol or distracted driving related crash.

Scheduled activities include student education and awareness, a mock crash scene, and school-wide assembly including a guest speaker. 

Videographer Michael Sherman of @SpringFedMedia created the linked video during the 2019 Every 15 Minutes program hosted at Elmira High School. 

[embedded content]

LCSO Case #22-5746 — Death Investigation / House Fire10/12/22

Just prior to 9:00pm last night, deputies responded with fire personnel to the report of a house fire in the 36000blk of Stacey-Gateway Rd. in Pleasant Hill.  Much of the house had burned before the fire could be contained.

A single deceased person was located inside.  Although not officially identified at this point, authorities believe that the deceased is likely the 86 year old male resident. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  Additional details will be released when available. 

McKenzie_Obstruction_October_2022.jpg

McKenzie_Obstruction_October_2022.jpg

10/11/2022 — Water Obstruction: McKenzie River 2.2 miles downstream from Paradise Campground (Photo)10/11/22

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is advising the public of a water obstruction on the McKenzie River approximately 2.2 miles downstream from Paradise Campground.  This is near milepost 52 on the McKenzie Hwy. 

Due to a tree down across the river, the channel is completely blocked and  not safely navigable. 

For the most current information on water obstructions and safety tips, please review the information provided by the Oregon State Marine Board at www.oregon.gov/osmb

Crime_Scene_Logo.jpg

Crime_Scene_Logo.jpg

LCSO Case #22-5019 — Search warrant service leads to recovery of stolen property (Photo)10/06/22

On 09/08/22 the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a burglary report at a residence in the Veneta area. During the burglary, a suspect entered the residence when no one was home and stole numerous items of personal property.  Deputies contracted by the City of Veneta to provide law enforcement services were assigned to investigate. 

Deputies learned that a suspect used one of the victim’s stolen credit cards to make multiple purchases following the burglary.  They identified the suspect and tracked her to a residence in the 1400blk of Bramblewood Ln. in Eugene.

Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant for the suspect’s residence which was executed yesterday afternoon at about 3:45pm.  Deputies recovered several items from the burglary, including the victim’s identification, passport, checkbook, and some jewelry.  Deputies located additional evidence from at least two other burglaries.  The suspect was not at the residence and remains outstanding. 

Deputies are continuing to investigate this case. 

Wilderness.jpg

Wilderness.jpg

LCSO Case #22-5558 — Lost Hunter Found in Woods by Search Crews (Photo)10/04/22

A 72 year old hunter was found by Sheriff Search and Rescue crews Monday afternoon after spending nearly two and a half days lost in the wilderness. 

The 72 year old Eugene man left on foot to go hunting in the area south of Hill’s Creek Reservoir at about 8:00am on Saturday. He did not bring food, water, lighting or other survival supplies with him.  He was expected to return to camp before dark, however he never arrived. Authorities were not notified that he was missing until about 10:00am on Sunday.

Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue Crews quickly mobilized and began searching the area.  Given the expansive wilderness area and its close proximity to two other counties, numerous additional resources were summoned to assist in the search. 

Search crews located the missing hunter on Monday afternoon shortly after 12:00pm.  He was alive, but in immediate need of medical attention.  A helicopter, dispatched by the Oregon Army National Guard responded and transported the man to a hospital in the Eugene/Springfield area. 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind you to be prepared whenever you will be recreating outdoors.  ALWAYS take proper supplies including but not limited to: water, food, proper clothing, lighting, shelter, navigation equipment, and the ability to provide yourself with warmth.  Formulate a travel plan highlighting locations and expected departure and arrival times.  Be sure to share this plan with people that are familiar with the area. 

We would like to thank the following agencies for their vital assistance in making this rescue mission a success:  Oregon State Police, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, United States Coast Guard, and the Oregon Army National Guard.   

LCSO Case #22-5514 — Fatal Traffic Crash10/01/22

On September 30, 2022 at approximately 23:11pm the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Parkway Road near Valley Road in Pleasant Hill.  A white Chevrolet S10 was traveling northbound when it left the roadway for an unknown reason and rolled.

The driver of the involved vehicle, a 41 year old male, did not survive the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene.  

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Goshen-Pleasant Hill Fire.

LCSO Case #22-5455 — Death Investigation09/29/22

*UPDATE* 09/29/22

36 year old David Roy Keefaver of Junction City has been identified as the victim in this case. While the exact series of events leading up to Keefaver’s death are still not entirely clear, investigators have not uncovered any evidence to indicate that his death was the result of a criminal act.  Investigators do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.   

This morning at approximately 4:32am, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a call of suspicious circumstances at a residence in the 30300blk of Lassen Ln. north of Eugene. An area resident called 911 to report that an adult male was throwing himself against the caller’s door.  As deputies responded the caller advised that the male had laid down on the porch and lost consciousness.

Deputies arrived on scene to find the male to be injured and not breathing.  The deputies attempted to perform life-saving measures including CPR.  Medics additionally responded to assist but the male did not survive.  His identity is being withheld at this time.  He is believed to be a resident of another location on Lassen Ln.

Detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding the male’s death.  His death is being investigated as suspicious at this time.

Additional details will be released as they become available.     

LCSO Case #22-5379 – Fatal Traffic Crash09/26/22

On September 24, 2022 at approximately 1:27pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received the report of a serious motor vehicle crash on Camp Creek Rd. near milepost 2.  Milepost 2 is in the general area of the Easy Ln. intersection. 

Deputies responded and learned that a black Toyota Tacoma driven by 26 year old Austin McKee of Springfield had been driving westbound on Camp Creek Rd. when it crossed over into the eastbound lane for an unknown reason and struck an eastbound Chevrolet Silverado pickup head-on. McKee was transported by paramedics to an area hospital in critical condition. 

The driver of the Silverado, 70 year old Larry Sidwell of Springfield, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

The reason that McKee crossed in the oncoming lane remains under investigation.  Evidence of drug use was located at the scene. 

McKee died at the hospital over the weekend as a result of his injuries. 

Original Article: Source