“Darknet” Child Sexual Abuse Material Leads Homeland Security Investigations To Serve Federal Search Warrant At Medford Residence (Photo) - 09/02/26

MEDFORD, Ore. – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) along with the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) served a federal search warrant Wednesday morning in Medford. Investigators served the search warrant after Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was purchased from a “Darknet” CSAM website. On scene, investigators interviewed potential witnesses and involved parties. Investigators are working to identify the suspect and refer criminal charges to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Federal, State, and local law enforcement served the search warrant Wednesday, September 2 at a residence in the 3000 block of Marilee Street in Medford. The case originated from a CSAM “darknet” investigation where German investigators identified a potential Medford area suspect. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) for further evidence of child exploitation.

Several local law enforcement agencies assisted with the federal search warrant, including Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Oregon State Police, Medford Police Department (MPD), and the Oregon Department of Justice’s (ODOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD.

Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

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Head-On DUII Crash Seriously Injures Two Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend (Photo) - 09/02/26

JCSO Case 26-4522

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. –  A high-speed head-on crash seriously injured two drivers Saturday night on West Griffin Creek Road in rural Medford. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested 34-year-old woman for DUII after a trauma blood draw showed a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .20%, two and a half times the legal limit.

Due to the severity of the crash, the Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate. The preliminary investigation indicates on August 29 at 7:41 PM, the suspect was driving a 2025 Toyota RAV4 at a high rate of speed when she crossed into the oncoming lane for unknown reasons and struck a 2009 Toyota Highlander head-on. Both drivers sustained serious injuries and were trapped inside their vehicles. Medford Fire extricated both patients and Mercy Flights transported them to a local hospital.

To address DUII crashes and other risks of impaired driving, JCSO will join local, state, and regional law enforcement agencies for a Multi-Agency High-Visibility DUII Enforcement Patrol throughout Labor Day Weekend. Additional deputies and officers will be on the road specifically looking for impaired drivers and working to keep our roads safe. The enhanced patrol is supported in part by grant funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

If you drive impaired, you risk being stopped and arrested. DUII enforcement remains a priority for JCSO and our law enforcement partners as we work to prevent crashes and save lives on Jackson County roads.

Deputies and officers will be watching for signs of impaired driving, including erratic or reckless driving, speeding, and failing to maintain a lane.

Plan ahead for a safe Labor Day weekend:

Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare or taxi.

If you plan to drink, give your keys to someone sober.

If you’re hosting, make sure your guests have a safe and sober way home.

If you see a suspected impaired driver on the road, call 911.

The STAR Team is a specialized unit dedicated to investigating fatal and complex serious injury collisions. The team operates through a collaborative interagency agreement between JCSO, Medford Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

This enforcement effort is supported in part by grant funding from ODOT and NHTSA.

39-Year-Old White City Man Dies During Drug DUII Arrest; Cause Of Death Under Investigation - 08/20/26

JCSO Case 26-4289

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A 39-year-old White City man died Tuesday night after becoming unresponsive during a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) arrest. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. JCSO will not release the man’s name out of respect for his family’s privacy during this difficult time.

On Tuesday, August 18, at 9:17 p.m., Emergency Communications of Southern oregon (ECSO) Dispatch received a 911 call from a man who was speaking incoherently and appeared to be confused. During the call, he reported that someone may have drugged him. JCSO deputies responded to the area of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, where they found the man in the roadway obstructing traffic and exhibiting signs of intoxication. During the investigation, deputies learned the man had driven to the location and took him into custody for a controlled substance DUII at 9:44 p.m.

While deputies were walking the man to a patrol vehicle, he began physically resisting. Deputies lowered him to the ground to maintain control and called for additional units. Deputies also requested medical personnel to stage nearby. The man then appeared to lose consciousness. Deputies placed him in the recovery position and requested medical personnel respond to the scene.

Moments later, the man regained consciousness and began talking and physically resisting deputies again. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers arrived to assist. The man remained in the recovery position until Mercy Flights medics arrived at 9:51 p.m.

After medics evaluated him on the ground, the man was moved to a gurney at 9:58 p.m. Shortly afterward, he became unresponsive. Paramedics immediately began life-saving measures, which continued until 10:42 p.m. Afterward, a search of the man’s belongings revealed a baggie containing a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

The Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) is investigating the incident. Medford Police Department (MPD) is the lead investigating agency. It is standard protocol for an outside law enforcement agency to investigate an in-custody death. MADIU consists of detectives from JCSO, OSP, MPD, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney's (DA) Office.

An autopsy and toxicology report have been requested to help determine the cause and manner of death. No additional information is available at this time. Further information regarding the investigation will be released by the DA’s Office.

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Detectives Investigating Death Of Rural Central Point 2-year-old Child (Photo) - 08/19/26

Video Brief available for download: https://vimeo.com/1219641823?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

JCSO 26-4291

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child in rural Central Point. Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) detectives responded to assist.

At 4:30 AM, ECSO dispatch received a call for a missing child in the 9900 block of Blackwell Road in rural Central Point. JCSO deputies and Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers arrived on scene and immediately began searching for the child. At 5:41 AM the child was located deceased. Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

MADIU consists of detectives from JCSO CID, OSP, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney's Office.

This case is open and ongoing with detectives following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time.

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SVU Detectives Arrest Medford Man On Rape, Sex Abuse Of Teen Girl; Detectives Believe Suspect Has More Victims (Photo) - 08/17/26

JCSO Case 26-2783

MEDFORD, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives arrested a Medford man this morning at a business in the 500 block of the Medford Center. The suspect, Evan James Sutherlin, 20, of Medford, is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. He is charged with first-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse.

The case started June 2nd, 2026, when JCSO deputies responded to a report of a then 19-year-old man sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in the Jacksonville area. From there, SVU detectives took over the investigation leading to his arrest.

As SVU detectives continue their investigation, they believe Sutherlin may have more victims. Anyone with information about the pictured suspect is asked to call SVU Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928.

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Structure Fire Tragically Kills Mother, Three Children (Photo) - 08/10/26

JCSO Case 26-4106

EAGLE POINT, Ore. – A structure fire in rural Eagle Point has tragically claimed the lives of a mother and her three children under the age of 10. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims. At this preliminary stage of the investigation, the fire is believed to have been a tragic, non-criminal accident.

On Sunday, August 9th at 12:47 PM, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon 911 Dispatch received a call for a structure fire in the 600 block of Leafwood Drive in Eagle Point. Before first responders arrived on scene, the fire had fully engulfed a fifth-wheel camper with four family members trapped inside. Tragically, a mother and three juveniles under the age of 10 died as a result of the fire. One surviving family member was able to escape with minor injuries.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies along with Jackson County Fire District 3 (FD3), and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) firefighters responded to find the fire spreading to nearby structures and wildland. FD3 and ODF firefighters extinguished the fire before it could spread to nearby forest lands. Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains responded to provide support services.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. This case is open and ongoing pending autopsies and forensic identification. Due to the nature of this case, victim information will not be released. There is no further information available at this time.

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