Lane Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

7/22/25 - LCSO Case #25-3435 - Two Men Arrested For Robbery (Photo) -07/22/25

On 07/20/2025 at about 1 PM, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a robbery that had just taken place at Perkins Peninsula Park.  The victim reported that he met two males at the park to purchase items they had for sale.   At the meeting the two men assaulted and stole cash from the victim. The men were later identified as Christopher Tafoya, age 49, and David Miller, age 52. Deputies spent several hours searching for the suspects and ultimately contacted them in the 26000 block of Butler Road. Both suspects were taken into custody without injury and lodged in the Lane County Jail on charges of Robbery 2, Assault 3, Theft 1, UEMV and Interfering with making a report, and deputies were able to recover most of the money stolen from the victim.

 
Although this investigation was resolved within a 24-hour period and the victim was able to recover his money, this is not always the case. Many times, stolen items are not able to be recovered.  The Lane County Sheriff’s Office recommends any person buying or selling items through a private sale should do so in a well-lit public area and should use caution meeting strangers alone. It’s also advisable to use electronic means of payment as opposed to carrying large sums of cash.

Attached Media Files: IMG_2015.jpeg,

7/17/25 - LCSO Case #25-3368 - Lorane Man Arrested For Murder (Photo) -07/17/25

UPDATE
 
The deceased victim in this case was identified as Patricia Marie McSperitt, 56, of Lorane.
 
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On July 16th at about 6 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting in the 28600 block of W. Hill Road, east of Lorane. Deputies located a victim at the location who was deceased. Detectives and deputies began searching for the suspect, identified as Ralph William McSperitt, 56, of Lorane.
 
On July 17th at about 12:30 a.m., McSperitt was located in front of the Lane County Jail. Deputies and Eugene Police officers arrested McSperitt without further incident. He was lodged at the Lane County Jail on a charge of Murder in the 2nd Degree. Additional charges may be added.
 
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
 
Thanks to the Oregon State Police, Cottage Grove Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance on this case.
Attached Media Files: Lorane Arrest.jpeg,

7/13/25 - LCSO Case #25-3311 - Paddleboarder Drowns In Dexter Reservoir, Lane County Sheriff’s Dive Team Recovers Body (Photo) -07/17/25

7/17/25 - UPDATE
 
The deceased was identified as Sheraz Michael, 35, of Eugene.
 
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On July 13th at about 11:45 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol deputies responded with area fire departments to a drowning in Dexter Reservoir. Witnesses said the person, an adult male, was paddleboarding without a lifejacket, fell into the water, and did not surface.
 
Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Dive Team responded and began searching. They located the person deceased underwater in the area last seen.
 
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Attached Media Files: Dexter Drowning.jpeg,

7/15/25 - Lane County Sheriff’s Office Releases Call And Traffic Statistics For The Oregon Country Fair (Photo) -07/15/25

 
The Oregon Country Fair (OCF) continues to be one of the largest events held in rural Lane County, bringing in roughly 10-15,000 people per day during the second weekend of July. Each year, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office partners with the City of Veneta and OCF staff to help ensure a safe, fun event. This includes additional overtime for deputies to patrol in the city, deputies at each entrance to the fair, and grant-funded overtime for traffic enforcement.
 
“This year was very calm for law enforcement,” noted Sergeant Tim Wallace, the Public Information Officer for the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. “People are driving safer, and most importantly not driving while impaired.”
 
While not a final tally, current data for the fair shows deputies gave warnings for 21 violations and issued citations for 57 violations. The citations issued included 20 speeding violations, 9 seatbelt violations, 7 for Driving Uninsured, 7 for Driving While Suspended – Violation, and 7 for Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor.
 
At least three overdoses were reported in camps outside of OCF, however none were fatal. Also of note this year, there were only three arrests related to fair events:
 
LCSO Case #25-3193
 
On July 5th, OCF staff discovered Elijah David Russo, 31, of Elmira, filming adults and juveniles in a shower area with a hidden cell phone. He was escorted off the property for contact by deputies. After investigating, deputies arrested Russo for Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree and Invasion of Personal Privacy in the 1st Degree.
 
LCSO Case #25-3278
 
On July 12th just after midnight, deputies responded to a dispute in Zumwalt County Park, Veneta. After contacting several victims and witnesses, deputies arrested Katie Lynne Kartak, 39, of Gold Bar, Washington, for Assault in the 4th Degree - Felony. During booking at the Lane County Jail, Kartak attempted to injure herself and then injured a deputy who intervened. As a result, she was also charged with Assault on a Public Safety Officer.
 
LCSO Case #25-3314
 
On July 13th at about 8 p.m., deputies located a vehicle that had reportedly been driving poorly on Suttle Road, Elmira. The driver, Alic Ben Martinez, 31, of Eugene, had a confirmed Eugene Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of DUI and was arrested.
Attached Media Files: News Release.png,

7/14/25 - LCSO Case #25-3329 - Swisshome Man Arrested After Trespassing, Blocking Highway 36 (Photo) -07/15/25

 
On July 14th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police Troopers responded to Highway 36 and Alder Street, Swisshome, for a male armed with a knife who had blocked the highway with his vehicle and then trespassed on a property nearby. Witnesses reported he was also screaming at area residents.
 
A Trooper in the area patrolling Highway 36 arrived first. Despite responding "Code 3" with lights and sirens, it took approximately 40 minutes for deputies to arrive due to limited staffing and distance from their previous calls.
 
A sergeant with the Lane County Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team contacted the male, identified as Nicholas Michael Reibold, 39, of Swisshome, by phone while deputies were in route. When deputies arrived, he was wearing a tactical vest with body armor, but had discarded the knife. Deputies employed additional de-escalation tactics as Reibold continued to walk across Highway 36. He eventually complied with instructions and was detained without further incident.
 
After additional investigation, Reibold was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Trespass in the 2nd Degree and Disorderly Conduct in the 2nd Degree.
Attached Media Files: Arrest - Swisshome.png,

4/25/25 - LCSO Case #25-1968 - Lane County Sheriff's Office Investigating Deceased Subject Found South Of Crow (Photo) -07/14/25

7/14/25 - UPDATE
 
The deceased has been identified as Megan Joe Landig, 44, of Eugene. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation and additional details are unavailable at this time.
 
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On April 25th just after 11 a.m., Lane County Sheriff's deputies and detectives responded to Gates Cemetary, south of Crow, after area residents discovered a deceased person on the property. The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this time.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff's Office at 541-682-4141 and reference Case #25-1968.
Attached Media Files: News Release.png,

7/7/25 - LCSO Case #25-3213 - Junction City Missing Person Located Deceased In Vehicle Crash -07/08/25

 
On July 7th at about 1 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded with Junction City Police officers to the scene of a single-vehicle fatal crash in the 91300 block of Territorial Highway, south of Cheshire. Investigation determined the crash had likely occurred several days before.
 
The vehicle, a 2006 Chevy Malibu, was approximately 30 feet down an embankment in dense vegetation.
 
The deceased driver was identified as Mary Ann Snoddy, 62, of Junction City. Several days before the crash was discovered, Snoddy had been reported missing to Junction City Police, who were still actively investigating the case.

7/5/25 - LCSO Case #25-3195, 3196 - Deputies Arrest 3 On DUI, Stolen Gun Charges After Dispute In Triangle Lake (Photo) -07/08/25

 
CORRECTION: This incident occured at Triangle Lake Park, not a campground as previously stated.
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On July 5th at about 11 pm, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a dispute at Triangle Lake Park. Witnesses told deputies that Karmen Marie Sauers, 43, of Eugene, was menacing people with a pink handgun.
 
Deputies quickly located Sauers driving nearby. She appeared to be driving under the influence of intoxicants and was detained. Deputies also located a pink pepper spray pistol and a stolen handgun in the vehicle. While they were investigating, a vehicle associated with Sauers arrived on scene. The driver, Kirby Edward Sauers, 63, of Eugene, appeared to be intoxicated and was detained. Deputies determined the stolen handgun belonged to the passenger of the second vehicle, Loren Joseph Imponen, 49, of Eugene.
 
After additional investigation, Karmen Sauers was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail for Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and DUII. Kirby Sauers was arrested for DUII and cited in lieu of custody. Imponen was arrested for Theft in the 1st Degree and lodged at the Lane County Jail.
Attached Media Files: Arrests - West Lane.png,

Lane County Search & Rescue Wraps Up Busy June (Photo) -07/07/25

 
June was recently declared “Search & Rescue Month” by the governor of Oregon, and with good reason. With Oregon’s summer weather, more people head out to the rivers and trails – but sometimes aren’t prepared for the early summer conditions. Lane County Search & Rescue (SAR) deputies and volunteers stayed busy helping out.
 
On June 13th, patrol deputies responded to a vehicle crash into Cottage Grove Lake along London Road, south of Cottage Grove. Deputies were unable to find a vehicle but found signs of a crash. The SAR Dive Team responded and began searching the murky water in the dark. After an hour of methodical searching, they located the vehicle fully submerged but unoccupied. They continued their search, and thankfully located the driver on shore, unconscious but otherwise unscathed. Deputies determined the driver had fallen asleep, resulting in the crash. The driver was returned home, and the Dive Team assisted with the removal of the vehicle from the water by a tow company.
 
On June 17th, four people floating the Willamette River lost their inner tubes south of Springfield and became stranded on the bank. A Marine Patrol deputy responded and determined it would be best to rescue them by land. SAR volunteers escorted most of the involved out and carried one person out to a waiting ambulance due to a medical condition.
 
On June 18th, SAR responded to assist an elderly male who fell at Spirit Falls, west of Oakridge. He was head-first in a rocky area and may have been there for several days before other hikers discovered him. LifeFlight responded along with medics. Once SAR extricated him, medics provided immediate medical care and transported him to an area hospital.
 
On June 24th, SAR volunteers responded to Devil’s Canyon north of Oakridge to assist motorists with vehicle issues in an area too rugged for a tow service. They were able to start the vehicle and escort them out of the area.
 
On June 26th, SAR responded to Terwilliger Hot Springs to assist Oakridge Fire Department with a subject who needed to be carried out of the hot springs to a waiting ambulance for transport to an area hospital.
 
SAR volunteers assisted with other cases and attended several trainings in addition to these major calls.
 
Nearly every week, Lane County Sheriff's Search & Rescue volunteers assist our residents and visitors in all types of environments. Learn more about our Search & Rescue program or donate to their work at: www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/volunteers/search_and_rescue
Attached Media Files: LCSO SAR - Submerged Car Search.jpeg, LCSO SAR - Submerged Car.jpeg, LCSO SAR - Wheeled Litter Carry.jpeg,

LCSO Case #25-2918 BODY FOUND IN MARCOLA -07/07/25

7/7/25 - UPDATE 

The deceased as been identified as Steve Dwaine Simmons, 66, of Marcola. Investigation by detectives determined the death was not suspicious.  

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On June 21, 2025 Deputies responded to the report of a body that was found near the 92000 block of Marcola Rd. and close to the river. When deputies and Marcola Fire arrived they located a deceased male near the river at a makeshift camp. There were no obvious signs of suspicious activity. The medical examiners office was contacted and they took control of the deceased male. No further information will be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation and next of kin notifications.

7/1/25 - LCSO Case #25-3102 – Man Arrested Near Veneta After Firing Shots During Dispute (Photo) -07/03/25

 
On July 1st at about 6 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a dispute with shots fired in the 87300 block of Central Road, southeast of Veneta. Once on scene, deputies assisted a victim out of the residence. She did not have injuries from a firearm.
 
Deputies contacted a male, later identified as Kenneth William Davis, 29, of Eugene, who refused to exit the residence. Due to the report a firearm, additional deputies responded with an armored rescue vehicle for their safety.
 
Davis complied with instructions shortly after the armored rescue vehicle arrived, and was safely detained. A detective applied for and was granted a search warrant for the residence and located a firearm and additional evidence. Davis was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges:
- Menacing
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon
Attached Media Files: Arrest - Veneta.png,

Cowboy Hats For Kids FIRST Center (Photo) -07/03/25

 
Over the past few years, Lane County Sheriff’s Office employees have raised funds for Kids FIRST, our local children’s advocacy center. After donating, employees could either grow beards or wear blue jeans, depending on their work assignment and uniform.
 
With the grooming policy potentially changing to allow beards soon, what started as a small “No Shave November” fundraiser and grew to raise over $13,000 each year, was going to end.
 
But we couldn’t let a good thing go, so – staff who choose to make a donation now have the option to wear cowboy hats!
 
Cowboy hats hold a deep historical significance for deputy sheriffs and law enforcement, particularly in the American West. Originating in the late 19th century, cowboy hats were practical gear for ranchers and frontiersmen, offering protection from the sun and elements.
 
As lawmen worked in similar rugged environments, the hat became part of their functional attire. Over time, it evolved into a recognizable symbol of professionalism, resilience, and tradition.
 
Today, the cowboy hat remains a proud emblem in many sheriff's offices, reflecting both heritage and a commitment to serve and protect with integrity in rural and frontier communities.
 
And in Lane County, they're more practical than ever. Our current ball caps don’t protect our deputy’s ears or necks from the summer sun, or the constant winter rain that inevitably soaks into everything without proper headgear.
 
So don’t be surprised when you see deputies out on patrol with the new headgear – and maybe even offer up a good old fashioned “howdy!”
 
If you’re not familiar with the incredible work that Kids FIRST does in our community, and how it is directly connected to the work our office is engaged in, check out www.kidsfirstcenter.net.
 
Want to join in and help support their amazing work? A custom donation page is setup at www.kidsfirstcenter.net/lcso or can be found as a link at the bottom of the website.
 
Attached Media Files: Sheriff Wilkerson.jpg, Sheriff & Deputies.jpg,