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On October 9th at about 8:27 pm the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on River Drive near East Cloverdale Road, outside of Creswell. It was reported the involved vehicle fled the scene after striking the pedestrian.

LCSO deputies responded along with EMT’s with South Lane Fire. Sadly, the individual struck by the vehicle did not survive.  The deceased was identified as 49– year-old Justin Dewayne Jones.

LCSO Major Crash investigators were called out and assisted with the investigation. The involved vehicle may be a gray or silver hatchback style car or small SUV. The vehicle may have light damage to the front and or driver side.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle involved in the crash. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150.

On October 7th at about 07:00 am, Lane County Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 36000 block of Row River Road in Cottage Grove. This search warrant stemmed from an investigation by the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, focusing on child exploitation.  

The suspect, 58-year-old Jeffrey Allan Carter, was contacted and arrested. Carter was lodged at the Lane County Jail for the listed charges.

Currently there is no indication of any local area victims in this case. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office received assistance during this investigation from the Lane County District Attorney's Office.

This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable members of our community. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

On October 5th at about 2:45 pm, LCSO responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash in the 90600 block of Territorial Highway. The crash involved a log truck and a small pickup, and the driver of the pickup was believed to be deceased.

Dispatchers provided CPR instructions to individuals on scene who attempted life-saving aid on the driver of the pickup. Responding EMT’s with Lane Fire Authority arrived and ultimately pronounced the driver of the pick-up deceased. The deceased was identified as 54-year-old Tracey Michele Lancour of Eugene. 

Territorial Highway was closed in both directions so deputies could investigate the scene. Initial investigation revealed the log truck was traveling northbound, when the pickup appeared to turn and cross in front of the log truck.  It did not appear that Lancour was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

The Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted and responded.  Both vehicles were towed from the scene before Territorial Highway was reopened. 

This case is still being reviewed and there is no additional information for release at this time.

On October 4th around 4:40 pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of Waldo Lake Road and Shadow Bay Access Road. Callers reported the crash involved a single motorcycle and rider. At the time of the report the operator of the motorcycle was unconscious and suffered visible injuries. 

LCSO dispatchers provided CPR instructions, and individuals on scene attempted additional life-saving care. Firefighters arrived at about 5:15 pm. EMT’s pronounced the male operator deceased. The deceased was identified as 42-year-old Ryan Lee Foster of Cottage Grove.

Deputies investigated the scene and notified the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office of the investigation. This case is still being investigated and there is no additional information available for release at this time.

40-year-old Aaron Bradley Johnson was sentenced to 41 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) for multiple charges of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse. Johnson pled guilty to 6 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. He was sentenced to 41 months of incarceration to be followed by 36 months post-prison supervision.

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10/30/25 - LCSO Case 25-3247 

Lane County Sheriff’s detectives arrest Eugene man during Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation 

On October 30th at about 8 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of County Farm Road, Eugene. The suspect, Aaron Bradley Johnson, 38, of Eugene, was contacted and arrested. 

Johnson was lodged at the Lane County Jail on 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree, 10 counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree, and 4 counts of Encouraging Sexual Assault of an Animal.

This search warrant stemmed from an investigation by the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, focusing on child exploitation.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office received assistance during this investigation from the Oregon Department of Justice, Oregon State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable members of our community. 

36-year-old Jason Scott Sprinkle of Florence was sentenced to 30 months incarceration in the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) for several property crimes, which occurred in western Lane County. Sprinkle pled guilty to the crimes of Burglary in the Second Degree and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. 

Property crime investigations are labor intensive.  In cases with multiple victims, based on where the crimes occurred, they often span multiple law enforcement jurisdictions. 

This case was investigated by LCSO with the assistance and cooperation of our other local area police agencies.  LCSO deputies and detectives worked numerous hours collecting and reviewing evidence from multiple property crimes.  LCSO digital forensic detectives assisted with searching and reviewing evidence found in electronics seized. 

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3/4/26 - LCSO Case 26-0939 

Lane County Sheriff’s deputies arrest several in Florence search warrant operation 

On March 4th at 7 a.m., deputies assigned to the Lane County Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT), detectives, the West Lane district deputy, Florence Police officers and an Oregon State Trooper served a search warrant at a residence in the 2200 block of 12th Street in Florence. The suspects were believed to be in involved in numerous burglaries and thefts in the west Lane County area. 

The West Lane district deputy authored the search warrant based on his investigation. SRT was used for the service of the warrant as the primary suspect, Jason Scott Sprinkle, 35, of Florence, had attempted to flee and assaulted deputies in past contacts. 

During the warrant service, Sprinkle attempted to flee on foot while armed with a knife. Sprinkle was tased, dropped the knife and ultimately arrested without further incident. 

During the search, deputies and officers located stolen property connected to several cases, as well as additional construction materials and tools.

Sprinkle was charged with: 

- Theft in the 1st Degree 

- Burglary in the 2nd Degree 

- Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree 

- Failure to Report as Sex Offender 

- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle 

- Parole Violation on an original conviction of Assault on a Public Safety Officer 

On September 25th at about 7:15 pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of menacing that occurred in the 34200 block of Matthews Road. Deputies responded and during the investigation developed probable cause to arrest 56- year-old James William Lipe Jr, for below listed charges:

Lipe was reportedly armed with firearms and made statements suggesting he would engage in a gunfight with police.  LCSO responded to the location with armored rescue vehicles and deputies began trying to communicate with Lipe. Lipe did not respond to deputies or negotiators, but he was believed to be posting to social media while inside. 

Deputies were granted a warrant for Lipe’s arrest and Lipe was sent a copy electronically. Still with no response deputies deployed a drone inside the residence. The drone showed Lipe laying down with an injury to his head and firearm near his hand.  Deputies then forced entry into the residence and confirmed Lipe was deceased. 

The Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted, and Lipe’s body was transported from the scene.  There is no ongoing threat to the public and there is no additional information for release at this time.

On September 27th at about 12:10 pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a plane crash being reported in the 79800 Block of Sears Road.  The caller was a passerby who reported observing a person sitting in a field next to an airplane.

Fire personal with South Lane Fire and Rescue arrived first and treated the pilot. Thankfully the pilot suffered only minor injuries. The investigation revealed the pilot was alone in the downed plane.  The aircraft was being followed by another aviator who witnessed the event. Deputies relayed what they learned to the NTSB and the investigation is ongoing.

There is no additional information for release at this time.

9/25/26 LCSO Deputies and SAR Recover Deceased Subject from McKenzie River

On September 25th at around 2:00 pm, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a subject seen in the McKenzie River, downstream from the Armitage Park boat launch.  Marine Patrol deputies, Lane County Sheriff Search & Rescue staff and personnel with Eugene Springfield Fire all responded.

Using a jet boat, LCSO deputies were able to locate a subject down river.  Tragically the person was beyond aid and pronounced dead at the scene.  Deputies and fire personnel were able to safely extricate the subject from the river and bring them back to shore. 

The Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified, and the subject was transported to the Lane County Morgue for further investigation.

This case is still being investigated and there is no additional information for release at this time.

On September 18th at about 10:30 pm, a Lane County Deputy driving his patrol vehicle was struck by another motorist in the 5100 block of Franklin Boulevard.  The deputy radioed the at-fault vehicle may have also struck a 3rd vehicle nearby. Officers with the Springfield Police Department responded and investigated the crash.

The head on collision caused front end damage to both the at fault car and the Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. The patrol vehicle was towed from the scene. During the investigation SPD Officers arrested the at-fault driver, Ryder Lee Carlton, for DUI. Thankfully no one was seriously injured in the crash, and the deputy is back on duty.

Sadly, this is now the second time this deputy has been struck by an intoxicated motorist this year.  On February 8th while patrolling on the McKenzie Highway this deputy was hit by another drunk driver.  OSP Troopers responded and conducted that crash investigation and ultimately the other driver was arrested for DUI.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to stay sober behind the wheel. Never drink and drive or drive after consuming a substance. Everyone needs to be cautious of people driving impaired on our roadways.  Even police can become victims with intoxicated persons behind the wheel.