Linn County Sheriff’s Office Uses K9 To Arrest Wanted Man In Stolen Vehicle (Photo) - 01/29/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:39 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stolen vehicle in the 39900 block of Lacomb Dr. outside of Lebanon.  It was reported that Travis Pressey, 47, of Sweet Home, was driving a 1990 Green Honda CRX, which he had stolen earlier in the week from the Sweet Home area. 

When the caller, who knew the owner of the Honda, confronted Pressey, he allegedly pointed a gun at the caller.  Pressey then took off in the stolen Honda headed toward Lacomb.  Deputies quickly arrived and started searching the Lacomb area for Pressey and the stolen Honda.  The Honda was located in a driveway and Pressey attempted to leave in the vehicle, but it was out of gas.  Pressey then fled on foot into a wooded area.  K9 Juice was deployed and tracked Pressey down.  K9 Juice bit Pressey in the arm while apprehending him.  Pressey was taken into custody and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

Pressey sustained minor injuries to his upper arm and was evaluated by Lebanon Medics on scene.  Pressey was then transported to the Linn County Jail where he was booked on the following charges: Felony Attempt to Elude x2, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another, Possession of Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance-Fentanyl, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Firearm, Menacing, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.  Pressey also had a felony warrant for a weapons offense, and a Lebanon Municipal Court warrant for Fail to Appear on a Fail to Perform Duties of a Driver (Hit and Run.)  The investigation continues and Pressey is facing additional charges to other cases.

As Pressey was reported to be in possession of a firearm, deputies and K9 Juice searched the area for the gun.  As it got dark and the brush was thick, deputies were unable to find the gun that evening.  The Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) was called the following morning to do a thorough search of the area he was apprehended.  The SAR team found a .22 caliber revolver near where Pressey was apprehended. 

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Lebanon Rural Fire District.

Linn County Sheriff's Office Arrests One For Attempted Murder (Photo) - 01/14/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on January 13, 2026, at 4:09 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls from residents located in the 41700 block of Upper Berlin Drive, outside of Sweet Home, for a disturbance.  It was reported that there was a physical fight, and one male was shot in the head. 

Linn County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and the Lebanon Fire Department were dispatched to the location where they contacted Jordan Nathaniel Stewart-Bennett, 23, and Joshua Arnold Storms, 50, both residents of the location.  Nathaniel had a gunshot wound to his head and was transported to the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and is in critical condition.      

Joshua Arnold Storms was taken to the Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital for a medical evaluation prior to being lodged in the Linn County Jail for Attempted Murder, Assault in the First Degree, and Unlawful Use of Weapon.    

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Dakotah Hinrichs at (541) 967-3950.

Linn County Sheriff's Office Makes Arrest On Armed Disturbance (Photo) - 01/07/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports last night at 9:20 p.m. deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 29200 block of Berlin Road outside of Sweet Home.  The female caller called the Linn County 911 Center to report her spouse, later identified as James Clair Miller, 41, assaulted her.  As deputies were responding, the caller told the dispatcher she had four children with her, all under the age of 10 years old, in a vehicle, and Miller was last seen coming out of the shop holding a firearm. 

Dispatch coached the female to leave the location with the children. During their attempt to leave in a vehicle, Miller shattered the window and fired rounds in an unknown direction. The female and children walked down the long driveway where they met responding deputies.  As the initial deputy secured the family at the end of the driveway, additional shots could be heard from somewhere on the property.

Miller’s location was unknown for several minutes until he began yelling and firing more rounds in unknown directions, causing deputies to evacuate nearby residences, and set up a perimeter.  Miller continued to wander around the property and frequently fired rounds into the air as deputies, Oregon State Police Troopers, and Sweet Home Police Department attempted to locate him.  Law enforcement from multiple agencies also responded to assist with drones, as the property is in a very rural location, with a very long driveway, where terrain and structures made maintaining visual of Miller difficult.

The Linn County Regional SWAT Team responded with armored vehicles, in addition to members of Oregon State Police SWAT, to protect the public and law enforcement as they worked to locate Miller and take him into custody safely.  Miller continued to walk around the property with several guns, firing more shots in the air, as well as setting off fireworks, which often could only be seen with the use of drones. 

Miller attempted to take off from the property into the woods on an ATV, ultimately crashing and returning to the area of the residence.  Deputies and Troopers contacted Miller who was uncooperative, causing law enforcement personnel to use non-lethal force, to include sponge rounds and tasers, before taking Miller into custody on the ground.  Miller was treated by medics and transported to the Linn County Jail. 

Deputies on scene, applied for and were granted a search warrant for the property.  Thirteen firearms, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns, were seized as well as live ammunition and spent casings that were scattered across the property.

James Clair Miller was lodged on charges of Reckless Endangering, Assault IV-Domestic (felony), Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Contempt of Court (for violating a Restraining Order) and Criminal Mischief I.  Deputies are continuing to investigate.

All law enforcement present exercised great restraint and professionalism during this very chaotic event, to take Miller into custody without using lethal force.  The ability to see Miller with drones had a direct impact on law enforcement’s ability to assess Miller’s behavior and take him into custody with the least amount of force possible.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon State Police, Corvallis Police Department, Albany Police Department, Sweet Home Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sweet Home Fire District.

Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Death In Front Of The Albany Police Department - 01/06/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports today, January 6, 2026 at 12:44 p.m., Linn County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the Albany Police Department at 2600 Pacific Blvd to investigate a male with a gunshot wound. Albany Police Department employees discovered a male slumped over near their building and requested assistance due to an unrelated high priority call demanding significant staffing needs.

Deputies arrived on scene and took over the investigation from the initial responding Albany Police Department Officers. Deputies located a male sitting against the building with a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies continue to investigate the incident, locate associates and family, and follow up on information. For this reason, the name of the deceased will not be released at this time.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Albany Police Department, Linn County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Albany Fire Department.