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. 

On September 10th at about 11:00 pm the Lane County Sheriff's Office received information about an overdue subject in the Cape Creek area. A woman reported dropping off a male to go mushroom picking, but she was unable to find him when she went back to pick him up.  The man had a puppy with him, but he had no additional provisions.

LCSO Deputies and Search & Rescue volunteers responded to the area. Cellular communication is patchy in this part of Lane County.  The woman continued searching on her own, so deputies were unable to reach her for additional information. 

At about 2:00 pm on September 11th, SAR located the male and the puppy.  He had made it to the woman’s vehicle, but she was not present. She had left a note in her car stating she was still out looking for the man. SAR continued searching the area and at about 3:20 pm, located the woman by drone. Thankfully both people were found uninjured.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to recreate safely. Please remember, information is crucial to searchers. If you are making a report, ensure you have a way to be reached for additional information. Wanting to help is admirable, but do not put yourself in the same situation as those you are trying save.

Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. 

Know conditions before you leave - rain in the valley can mean ice up high! 

Be prepared to stay out overnight - even if you don't plan to get out of your car. 

Bring maps for offline navigation - cell service can be spotty! 

If you go on the water, ALWAYS wear a life jacket! 

If you become lost, STAY PUT! Find a way to signal or make your location visible. Always carry a whistle and flashlight in the outdoors – it just might save your life.

On September 5th a little after 1:00 pm, SAR was notified of a subject who fell and became injured on a lava rock butte near Melakwa Lake, north of Highway 242. Lane County Sheriff Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers with Eugene Mountain Rescue responded along with Linn County Sheriff Search & Rescue.

SAR located the individual and provided medical assistance until air resources arrived. The US Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and transported the patient to a local area hospital for treatment. 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Linn County Sheriff Search & Rescue as well as US Coast Guard for their help in this instance. LCSO is proud of all the volunteers whose dedication make these types of saves possible.

Nearly every week, Lane County Sheriff's Search & Rescue staff and volunteers assist our residents and visitors in all types of environments. To learn more about our Search & Rescue program or to donate to their work visit our website at: 

www.lanecountyor.gov/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/l_c_s_o_search_and_rescue

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to recreate safely, so please remember: 

Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. 

Know conditions before you leave - rain in the valley can mean ice up high! 

Be prepared to stay out overnight - even if you don't plan to get out of your car. 

Bring maps for offline navigation - cell service can be spotty! 

If you go on the water, ALWAYS wear a life jacket! 

If you become lost, STAY PUT! Find a way to signal or make your location visible. Always carry a whistle and flashlight in the outdoors – it just might save your life.

On September 8th at about 08:15 am, deputies were notified of a single vehicle crash on Clearlake Road near Greenhill Road. A small four door sedan left the south side of the roadway and impacted signage before coming to a stop.

Fire personal were the first to arrive on scene. They relayed concerns the female driver may have driven impaired. LCSO deputies contacted the driver after she was transported to a medical facility for assessment.

The driver was identified as 58-year-old Martha Anne Schuetz of Junction City. Schuetz was arrested for DUII and issued a citation in lieu of custody.

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

9/4/26 - The Lane County Sheriff’s Office Reminds Everyone Child Safety Seats Save Lives!

Lane County Sheriff’s Office continues to use state-funded grant overtime to enforce seatbelt laws, including child safety restraint requirements. Although enforcement helps, the most important step in preventing tragedy is ensuring a child safety seat is properly installed and used every time.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46% of child car seats are installed incorrectly. The link below provides an excellent visual guide to Oregon’s Child Restraint Laws:  https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Documents/ODOT_Car_Seat_Flyer_2021-English.pdf 

-Statistics-

-Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT): Child Safety Seat Requirements-

-Rear Seating-

-Booster Seat Fit Test-

To determine whether a child can safely transition from a booster to a seatbelt, answer YES to all:

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to have a safe Holiday Weekend.  So, please buckle-up and ensure every child is secured safely before your drive.