Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Drowning (Photo) - 06/29/26

Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith reports that on June 26, 2026, at 8:47 PM, Linn County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male had jumped into the water at Tamolitch Falls, located off Highway 126, and was not able to get out. The area is commonly known as Blue Pool.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time. Kenny was visiting the area with friends when he decided to jump into the pool. Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging. Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive.

Linn County Sheriff's Office, Lane County Sheriff's Office, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded together Friday evening, as these agencies have done many times before at this location. We are grateful for every responder who answered that call.

Tamolitch Falls is a breathtaking destination visited by people from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing. The cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet. The water averages 37 degrees Fahrenheit — cold enough to cause immediate physical shock upon entry. There is minimal to no cell phone reception in the area. When something goes wrong at Blue Pool (or on the trail leading into the falls), it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital. Linn County Sheriff's Office and our partner agencies respond to emergencies at this location every year.

We ask everyone planning to visit Tamolitch Falls to go with that knowledge. Understand the risks before you enter the water. Look out for the people you came with. If you have questions about current conditions, contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station at (541) 822-3381 or visit their website. And if someone is in distress, call 911 immediately — every minute matters at a location this remote.

McKenzie River Ranger Station Tamolitch Falls:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/recreation/tamolitch-falls-blue-pool-3507

Linn County Sheriff’s Office K9 Juice Apprehends Wanted Man (Photo) - 06/18/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports last night, June 17, 2026, after 9:00 p.m., deputies arrested David Fox, 57, of Sweet Home, following a foot pursuit that ended with Linn County Sheriff’s Office K9 Juice apprehending Fox.

Deputies received information from an anonymous source about Fox’s location near the 25000 block of Brush Creek Road, south of Sweet Home, prior to 9:00 pm, and set up surveillance in the area. Fox is known to deputies and deputies confirmed Fox had warrants related to a parole violation. As deputies began to close in on Fox and his vehicle, Fox ran from the location.  Deputies lost sight of Fox and surrounded the area as drones were deployed.  Several deputies and K9 Juice, also engaged in the search and containment of where Fox could run, preventing Fox from going far. With the help from K9 Juice, Fox was located hiding submerged in a nearby creek where he was taken into custody.

After Fox was taken into custody, deputies were granted a search warrant to search the vehicle associated with Fox for firearms. During the search deputies located three firearms, two of which were confirmed stolen from neighboring counties, multiple knives, multiple calibers of ammunition, suspected fentanyl, suspected LSD and other drug paraphernalia.

Fox sustained minor injuries to his upper torso because of a dog bite from K9 Juice and was evaluated by Sweet Home Medics on scene.  Fox was then transported to the Linn County Jail where he was booked on his outstanding parole warrant, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Escape 3, Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl and Unlawful Possession of LSD.

K9 units and handlers like Sergeant Sheets participate in extensive training throughout the year where they test their limits and prepare for real scenarios. Although K9’s like Juice may be considered a tool, they are very much part of our deputy family, and we thank Juice and Sergeant Sheets for their dedication in making this community safe.

Wilsonville Man Arrested In Luring Case (Photo) - 06/09/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on May 28, 2026, Linn County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested Christopher Jay Webb, 34, of Wilsonville after an eight-month long sex abuse investigation.

The investigation revealed Webb used the Snapchat app to contact a 17-year-old female, from Sweet Home, who was unknown to him.  Knowing her age, he sent multiple images and videos of sexually explicit content of himself to the female.  He also solicited similar content from her.  During the investigation, investigators determined Webb used Snapchat to communicate with other juveniles for similar purposes.  In conversations with the juveniles, Webb indicated that he worked at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. 

After executing search warrants for digital evidence and analyzing accounts and digital media, Webb was arrested and lodged at the Linn County Jail on one count of Luring a Minor. The investigation is ongoing and may lead to additional charges.

Based on the investigation, it is believed there are other victims who have yet to be identified.  Christopher Webb’s photograph has been attached in an attempt to locate other victims that may have been contacted by him.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, or may have been a victim themselves, they are encouraged to contact Detective Dakotah Hinrichs at 541-967-3820.

Simpson Park Cleanup (Photo) - 06/01/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports today her deputies ensured the last of those illegally camping in an area north of the Talking Water Gardens vacated the area. The property is privately owned, but the City of Albany was granted rights to use the property for recreation purposes since 1997.  

The property, located in Millersburg, outside the city limits of Albany, recently transitioned from an Albany Police Department jurisdictional response to the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has had complaints about those illegally camping in the area from nearby neighbors, and others wanting to use the area recreationally but did not feel safe or comfortable visiting the area in its current condition. There have been numerous crimes, including assaults, out of control fires, stolen property, and drug activity involving those illegally camped at the property.  The condition of this property represents a significant public safety and environmental risk, including to those illegally camping at the location. In February, deputies investigated an incident of a male who suffered significant burns. The male later admitted he had overdosed on fentanyl and fell into his own campfire, resulting in serious injury to himself. 

The activity at the property directly violates the intent the property owners had for the property. Neither the property owners, nor the City of Albany’s parks rules allow camping, littering or destruction to the land. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is committed to restoring this property to the condition it was intended for public use. 

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office developed a plan that would be carried out over several weeks. The goal was to be compassionate to those illegally using the property being forced to leave, while also restoring conditions and making the property safe for all.

On May 12, deputies from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, working alongside Albany Police Department Community Service Officers, an Albany Police Department Park Ranger, City of Albany Parks staff, employees from Community Helping Addicts Negotiate Change Effectively-C.H.A.N.C.E., and a contracted cleanup crew, conducted a walk-through of the Simpson Park property located north of Talking Water Gardens at 733 NE Waverly Drive, Albany, Oregon.  During this walk-through, deputies observed extensive damage to the property. Individuals had constructed numerous makeshift structures throughout the area, including a two-story structure.  There were also abandoned vehicles, boats, and kayaks on the property. Some areas had surveillance cameras installed with solar panel power and fenced compounds with animals.  In addition, Traeger style BBQ’s, thousands of bikes/bike parts, power tools and even a piano were located. Numerous trees and bushes had been cut down, human waste had been deposited throughout the property, and large amounts of household garbage and debris were piled high across the area. Discarded, uncapped hypodermic needles were also found on the ground.  Multiple campfires were actively burning while our deputies went through the area, creating a significant fire risk.

On this date, deputies made contact with 32 individuals illegally camping on the property. Employees from C.H.A.N.C.E. accompanied deputies throughout the walk-through to connect occupants with shelter and community resources to assist in their transition of being removed from the property in the weeks ahead. Multiple people at the location provided statements that they know people who have burglarized railcars and boxcars that stop overnight along the property, including stealing lumber off the railcars. In addition, other items are said to be stolen from neighboring properties in order to meet their needs. Deputies made seven arrests on outstanding warrants, to include charges of Assault II and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Deputies returned to the property on May 21st and contacted others camping at the property to notify them they needed to leave the area.  On this date, deputies arrested six people with warrants, and also recovered a stolen trailer that was originally stolen from the Albany area.

On May 28^th, deputies posted the area, giving a final warning for those illegally camping they needed to leave the property and remove their belongings.  Several more people were arrested on outstanding warrants.

Today deputies again returned to the property to clear it of anyone left illegally camping after the previous warnings to leave.  While there, they found two more people on outstanding warrants.  The remaining campers left the area without arrest.   

Tomorrow, on June 2^nd a contractor will begin the process of cleaning up the property and restoring it to its natural condition.

Sheriff Michelle Duncan wants the public to know her deputies will continue working with the property owner, partner agencies, and community organizations to return the property back to a condition that is satisfactory to the condition it was intended to be used.  Over the last few weeks, deputies have been openly communicating and treating those found to be using the property illegally with compassion, ensuring individuals are aware of resources to help them with their transition. However, Sheriff Duncan wants to make it clear when the clean-up and restoration process begins on June 2^nd, those committing illegal activity on the property, to include camping, littering, destruction of the land and vegetation may face criminal charges.