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Search Warrant Service03/15/23

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting search warrant service on a large scale criminal marijuana operation.  Deputies are presently at multiple undisclosed locations within Lane County.  This investigation is in its infancy and additional details cannot be released at this moment.  More information will be provided when available.  There is no threat to the public.

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Aleha_Winn_MP.jpg

LCSO Case #23-1342 — Missing Endangered Person from Marcola area (Photo)03/09/23

With the help of tips from the community, Winn was located this evening in good health.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing endangered person.  23-year-old Aleha Marie Winn was last seen at her residence in the 39000blk of Ann Lane north of Marcola last night at approximately 10:00pm.  Winn is developmentally disabled and functions as a 13-year-old. 

Winn is described as a Hispanic female standing approximately 5’03” and weighing about 200lbs.  She has shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She may be wearing a light blue Captain America hooded sweatshirt.  She also may have her pet hamster with her.

Anyone who has seen Winn or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.

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Lane_County_Sheriffs_Mounted_Posse.jpg

Vandalism at Mount Pisgah Horse Arena (Photo)03/08/23

Lane County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse members were recently disappointed to learn that vandals damaged their horse arena located at Mt. Pisgah.  The vandals used spray paint to write hateful rhetoric designed to slander police on Sheriff’s Mounted Posse signs and storage containers.  Damage is estimated to be over $1,000. 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse is a non-profit 501(c)(3) group made up entirely of volunteers. This group donates their time and animals to serve our county in many ways.  Not only does this group provide a space for equestrians to ride and improve their horsemanship skills, but they regularly donate the funds that they raise to other community organizations. 

The Sheriff’s Mounted Posse also provides a vital service to our community in times of emergency.  During the Holiday Farm Fire and Cedar Creek Fire, Sheriff’s Mounted Posse members volunteered their vehicles and expertise to transport the animals of evacuated residents that had no means to quickly move their animals to safety.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Posse is currently accepting applications for both adult and youth auxiliary members. 

For more information on how to apply contact Sgt. Levi McKenny at levi.mckenny@lanecountyor.gov or visit the website at Lane County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse – Lane County

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.

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Luke_and_Bruno_2.jpg

23-1201 — New Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 Team tracks and finds hiding suspect (Photo)03/06/23

On 03/01/2023 just prior to 6:00pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Gettings Creek Rest Area on Interstate 5 to assist the Springfield Police Department in locating a stalking suspect.  The suspect, 48-year-old Shawn Tull, had fled from his car and disappeared somewhere at the rest area.                                                                                                                   Deputy Luke Thomas and his K9 partner, Bruno, arrived to assist with the search.  Bruno immediately began tracking Tull’s scent past the rest area buildings, over a fence, and onto a trail through thick brush and located him hiding in thick blackberry bushes.  Tull was taken into custody without further incident. 

Deputy Thomas and Bruno are the newest K9 team at the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.  They were certified and officially began working together in the beginning of February.   

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 program is funded almost entirely through donations from citizens and local businesses. These funds go directly towards purchasing the K9s, training, necessary equipment, food, medical care, and other expenses related to the care of our K9 partners. 

Information about the Lane County Sheriff K9 Team and how to donate can be found at: 

K9 Unit – Lane County

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Lane_County_Jail_Public_Tours.jpg

Lane County Jail tours open to the public (Photo)02/27/23

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to invite you to tour the Lane County Jail. 

“We have a lot of great, innovative things going on in our jail.” said Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold.  “I want our community members to see what their tax dollars support and how vital this facility is to the health and safety of our entire county.”

Tours will occur on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings starting on March 15. 

Those age 18 and over can reserve their spot at: 

www.publicsafetylevy.org/tours.

Available Tour Dates/Times:   
 

Wednesday      3/15      5:45pm

Saturday          3/18      8:45am

Wednesday      3/22      5:45pm

Wednesday      4/5        5:45pm

Saturday          4/8        8:45am

Wednesday      4/12      5:45pm

Saturday          4/15      8:45am

Saturday          4/22      8:45am

Wednesday      5/3        5:45pm

Saturday          5/13      8:45am

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23-1070_Weapon.jpg

LCSO Case #23-1070 — Man who charged deputies with knife safely taken into custody (Photo)02/24/23

This morning just after 6:30am, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a resident in the 1500blk of Concord Ave. in Eugene stating that an unknown man had been pacing back and forth on the resident’s property.  The caller told the man to leave via their video doorbell speaker, but the man declared the property belonged to him, and he was going to start killing people. 

Deputies arrived and contacted the man, at which time he brandished a knife and charged at the deputies. The deputies quickly maneuvered to create distance but remained in verbal and visual contact.  Deputies continued conversing with the man in attempts to de-escalate him and convince him to put his knife down.  Springfield Police Officers and Oregon State Police Troopers responded while deputies were in contact.

The presence of a Springfield Police K9, use of less-than-lethal pepperball and sponge impact projectiles, and deputies’ verbal crisis intervention techniques deescalated the man’s behavior.  He eventually sat down and threw the knife out of his reach. He was then taken into custody. 

No one in the incident received serious injury.  Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold said, “This was an example of our deputies suddenly being faced with a lethal threat that could have ended tragically.  We are thankful for the quick-thinking of our deputies and the other responding officers.  We are proud of the way they quickly recognized and responded to this highly unpredictable, violent situation and possible mental health crisis. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance provided by the Springfield Police Department and Oregon State Police in successfully resolving this critical incident”. 

The man was identified as 49-year-old Paul Fitzgerald Smith.  Smith was transported and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges including Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Menacing, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

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Public_Information_Session_Graphic_Lowell.jpg

Public Information Session for Proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal — Lowell (Photo)02/23/23

Public Information Session for Proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal

Lowell High School 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

6:30PM

Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold is visiting communities within Lane County to provide information regarding the proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal, which is to be placed before voters on the May 16, 2023 ballot. 

Sheriff Harrold will be at Lowell High School (65 Pioneer St., Lowell) on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. 

Following a short presentation, the Sheriff will be available to answer questions and speak with community members. 

Passage of this measure would not increase the tax rate and renews a current local option tax. 

Measure renewal will maintain a minimum of 255 local jail beds for the five-year period, providing the Sheriff with improved ability to hold those arrested for violent felony offenses until their cases are resolved. 

Levy renewal would also:

  • maintain investment in medical mental health services within the Jail to help those in custody make positive improvements and build life skills in an effort to reduce recidivism 
  • continue to provide counseling, secure treatment, and detention services for youth offenders

Levy funds are placed in a restricted fund earmarked for the Jail and Youth Services. An annual independent financial audit of levy spending is required and presented publicly.

The estimated tax rate for this levy is $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. The median Lane County homeowner is estimated to pay an average of $118 per year for five years. 

Additional information sessions will be provided by the Sheriff at different locations throughout the county in the upcoming weeks. 

Report of Armed Subject at Lane Community College – Updated02/23/23

Update 02/23/23:

Investigators have determined that yesterday’s report of an armed subject at Lane Community College was the result of a series of miscommunications prior to the initial 911 call being placed.  The miscommunications were not maliciously made and involved the passage of 2nd and 3rd hand information leading people to believe there was an armed subject at the school with intent to harm a student.  During the investigation deputies learned there were not any threats made towards the school nor was an armed subject actually observed on campus.  Once this was determined, deputies communicated the information to LCC Public Safety who lifted the lockdown as deputies and Oregon State Police Troopers helped to notify those on campus. 

The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to the safety of our community.  We are thankful for our community and professional partners that assisted with yesterday’s response and investigation.

Update 02/22/23:  

As of 3:30pm the lockdown at Lane Community College has been lifted.  

Authorities have determined there to be no credible threat.

Circumstances surrounding the initial report of an armed person on campus are under investigation.  

02/22/2023 – 2:06pm

Lane County Sheriff’s deputies are currently on scene at the LCC Main Campus after receiving the report of an armed person on campus.  

There have been no reports of shots fired or injuries.  

Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area until additional information becomes available. 

LCSO Case #23-00972 — Death Investigation at Cougar Reservoir02/22/23

On Saturday 02/18/2023 at approximately 4:22pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a man had fallen off a cliff located between the Aufderheide Hwy (USFS Rd. 19) and Cougar Reservoir, near the Terwilliger Hot Springs.  First responders arrived and were able to see the man lying motionless on the ground at the bottom of a cliff, but due to the extreme terrain, the rescuers were not able to immediately reach him.  Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel had also been enroute and upon arrival used ropes to rappel down the cliff.

The victim, a 22-year old man from the Salem area, was determined to be deceased.  His identity is being withheld at this time.

Preliminary investigation shows that the man’s fall was likely accidental. 

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Porch_Theft_3.jpg

LCSO Case #23-0300 — Deputies seek help identifying theft suspect (Photo)02/16/23

Surveillance Video is Viewable at:  

[embedded content]

Lane County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a theft investigation. The theft occurred on 01/10/2023 from the front porch of a residence in the 34000blk of Del Monte Ave. off of Seavey Loop. Rd. 

The primary suspect appears to be a white male adult in his 20’s or 30’s.  The involved vehicle appears to be a newer silver Mazda sedan. 

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1. Reference LCSO Case #23-0300.

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Crime_Scene_Logo.jpg

*UPDATE 02/16/2023* – Lon ‘Katana’ Coffey charged with additional child sex crimes (Photo)02/16/23

Correction – Spelling is: Lon ‘Katana’ Coffey

*UPDATE 02/16/2023* – Lon ‘Katana’ Coffey charged with additional child sex crimes

Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives have uncovered additional evidence indicating that Lon Curtis Coffey sexually abused other children in addition to those related to his January 20th arrest. Coffey has remained in the custody of the Lane County Jail since that arrest.   

Detectives established probable cause to believe that Coffey sexually abused a child under the age of 12.  He has been charged with the crimes of Sex Abuse in the First Degree and Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree in addition to his original charges of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse.

45-year-old Lon Curtis Coffey frequently goes by the nickname of ‘Katana’.  He has most recently lived in the Veneta, Junction City, and Albany areas. 

Investigators have reason to believe that there may be additional victims.  Please contact Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives at 541-682-4150 if your child has had contact with Coffey.

Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives recently received information from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that approximately 30 separate files of child pornography had been uploaded to the internet using the messaging platform ‘Kik’ from a residence in Veneta.  Detectives served a search warrant on the house and were able to develop information indicating that a former resident, 45-year-old Lon Curtis Coffey, had uploaded the images. 

Detectives additionally learned that approximately two years ago, Coffey had attempted to groom an 11-year-old girl to solicit sex. With permission from the child’s guardian, detectives used the child’s Facebook account to message with the suspect. Within two days of messaging, Coffey stated he wanted to have sex with the now 13-year-old girl and advised he would drive down to the Eugene area from Albany to meet. Detectives confronted Coffey upon his arrival and he was taken into custody.

Coffey admitted to uploading the child pornography from the house in Veneta.  He additionally advised he has been involved in child pornography for over 10 years and has exchanged thousands of files.

Please contact Lane County Sheriff’s Office detectives at 541-682-4150 if your child has had contact with Lon Coffey.       

Public Information Session for Proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal — McKenzie High School02/14/23

Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold will be visiting communities within Lane County to provide information regarding the proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal, which is to be placed before voters on the May 16, 2023 ballot. 

The first session will be at McKenzie High School (51187 Blue River Dr.) on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. 

Following a short presentation, the Sheriff will be available to answer questions and speak with community members. 

Passage of this measure would not increase the tax rate and renews a current local option tax. 

Measure renewal will maintain a minimum of 255 local jail beds for the five-year period, providing the Sheriff with improved ability to hold those arrested for violent felony offenses until their cases are resolved. 

Levy renewal would also:

  • maintain investment in medical mental health services within the Jail to help those in custody make positive improvements and build life skills in an effort to reduce recidivism 
  • continue to provide counseling, secure treatment, and detention services for youth offenders

Levy funds are placed in a restricted fund earmarked for the Jail and Youth Services. An annual independent financial audit of levy spending is required and presented publicly.

The estimated tax rate for this levy is $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. The median Lane County homeowner is estimated to pay an average of $118 per year for five years. 

Additional information sessions will be provided by the Sheriff at different locations throughout the county in the upcoming weeks. 

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