Arrest Made For Hidden Cameras And Unlawful Possession Of Firearm Suppressor -01/17/25

AZALEA, Ore. - An Azalea man has been arrested for crimes of Invasion of Privacy and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Suppressor.

 

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of hidden cameras placed inside of a private residence in the 14000 block of Upper Cow Creek Road, Azalea. The cameras were located in areas of the residence that afforded privacy to the residents and without their knowledge and consent.

 

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation and arrested 48-year-old Stephen Hughes of Azalea on two counts of Invasion of Privacy. During the execution of search warrants, detectives located several additional hidden cameras and a firearm suppressor that Hughes was not legally allowed to possess.

 

Hughes was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on two counts of Invasion of Privacy in the First degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Suppressor.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office Warns Of Impersonation Scams -01/17/25

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – Scammers continue to impersonate local law enforcement, including those from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, to extract money from victims.

Many residents have recently reported fictitious phone calls from unknown callers claiming to be from law enforcement.

Often, these callers will identify themselves as a legitimate law enforcement officer then claim they have a warrant for the victim’s arrest. Sometimes, they will claim the victim has missed jury duty and say the victim is now in contempt of court.

The scammers will demand money or gift cards as a form of “bail” or to make the warrants go away. They will often create a sense of urgency, claiming the victim will be arrested imminently if they don’t comply.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office wants citizens to be aware of this scam. No actual law enforcement officer would demand payment over the phone to resolve legal matters.

If you suspect you are speaking to a scammer, simply hang up the phone.

If you’d like to verify the caller’s information or identity, you may contact the dispatch center at 541-440-4471. This is the same number to contact if you’ve been the victim of this or any other scam and lost money.

Often, the perpetrators of these scams aren’t located in Oregon and are very difficult for law enforcement to locate. They use technology to display a false caller ID that is often not able to be traced.

Additional resources and information are available online at www.ic3.gov (Internet Crime Complaint Center) and by phone at 1-877-877-9392 (Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline).

Vehicle Crash Claims Life Of Roseburg Man -01/05/25

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A single vehicle crash has claimed the life of a Roseburg man. 

On Friday, January 3, 2025, around 8:00 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a single vehicle crash on Lookingglass Road near Happy Valley Road. 

When deputies arrived, they found a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse that had been traveling north on Lookingglass Road that had failed to negotiate a corner at the intersection of Happy Valley Road, crashing into the embankment.

The driver, identified as 56-year-old Roseburg resident Chane Rhae Johnsen, was unrestrained at the time of the crash and was unconscious. Johnsen was transported to Mercy Medical Center in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor to the crash. 

Deputies are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471 referencing Case #25-0034.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Winston Police Department, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Lookingglass Fire Department and Roseburg Towing.

Douglas County Sheriff Appoints New Undersheriff (Photo) -12/31/24

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin has named a new Undersheriff to serve in his administration due to the retirement of current Undersheriff Jeff Frieze.

Previously serving in the rank of Lieutenant and overseeing the Special Services division, Brad O’Dell was promoted to Undersheriff during a pinning ceremony on Monday, December 30^th, 2024.

“I am honored to have the confidence of Sheriff Hanlin to serve in this new role,” US O’Dell said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership team, our agency partners and our community to continue the exceptional work of the men and women at the Sheriff’s Office.”

US O’Dell has served the Douglas County public safety community for many years. He began volunteering for the Glide Rural Fire Protection District while still in high school. O’Dell then became a certified Emergency Medical Technician and worked in both paid and volunteer medical roles.

US O’Dell was hired by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher. Since then, he has worked as a Patrol Deputy, Detective, Corporal, Sergeant and most recently Special Services and Administrative Lieutenant.

In addition to his assigned roles, US O’Dell has served as a Field Training Officer, Oregon Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator, Honor Guard Commander, Hiring Board Member, ORPAT and TASER instructor.

His most recent work at the Sheriff’s Office had him overseeing 9-1-1 Dispatch, Animal Control, Search and Rescue, Timber and Marine Patrols. He serves as the agency’s training officer, public information officer and is responsible for policy and procedure updates. US O’Dell has attended over 2,500 hours of continuing education to include various leadership courses.

US O’Dell is especially proud of inspiring the next generation of law enforcement with his work as an Assistant Professor at Umpqua Community College. He coordinates the Police Reserve Academy and finds that work to be extremely rewarding.

Additionally, he serves as the President of the Oregon Homicide Investigators Association, a member of the Line of Duty Death Response Team for the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation and a Board Member for the Mercy Foundation.

His work for the Sheriff’s Office has brought him many commendations including being the 2012 Roseburg Optimist Club’s Officer of the Year. He was also a recipient of the Sheriff’s Medal of Valor for his involvement in a critical incident.

US O’Dell holds an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice from Umpqua Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California Coast University.

During the pinning ceremony for family, friends and colleagues Monday, Sheriff Hanlin expressed his excitement to have O’Dell be his next Undersheriff. O’Dell’s experience and work ethic will surely help guide the agency in a positive direction in future years, Hanlin said.

In a Sheriff’s Office conference room packed with well-wishers, Hanlin said O’Dell personifies the motto of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association that, “Relationships are primary, everything else is secondary.”