Lane Co. SO Reports Telephone Scam

Lane Co. SO release - We will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty. Our community continues to be targeted by phone scammers identifying themselves as employees of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, typically claiming to be sergeants. Scammers have in the past also used text and email. Scammers claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unsettled legal issues. They may also offer to take bail money so family members in our jail may be released. Scammers then ask for payment or personal information, often threatening arrest. They usually offer to take payment digitally, through cryptocurrency, phone apps, or at a kiosk. In some instances, the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers or provide fraudulent callback numbers with official-sounding voicemail inboxes. They often already have some personal information based on the phone number they called. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff's Office employee and you think you are being scammed, HANG UP. Then contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4150 opt. 1. Please share with your friends and family. This scam has been around for years, and people are still falling for it despite efforts by all local law enforcement to educate the public.

Firearms Stolen in Deadwood, Lane Co.

Lane Co. SO release - On January 30th, a homeowner in the 15700 block of Highway 36, Deadwood, reported a burglary. Several firearms and other items were stolen. The Lane County Sheriff’s property crimes detective began investigating the case and soon identified suspects and a vehicle from the victim’s security video. On February 12th, an Oregon State Police (OSP) detective located the suspect vehicle near Armitage Park north of Eugene. It was occupied by one of the suspects, Tina Jean Devault, 57, of Noti. During a search of the vehicle, detectives located approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine. OSP detectives handled the drug possession investigation. Devault was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on a Parole Violation warrant from convictions for Possession of Methamphetamine and Cocaine. OSP detectives later added new charges for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, and Delivery of Methamphetamine. Based on information obtained during the investigation, our property crimes detective authored a search warrant for a property in the 21400 block of Highway 126, east of Noti. Later that evening, deputies assigned to the Lane County Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), and detectives served a search warrant at the property. The response on Highway 126 during evening commute time was widely shared on social media at the time. While serving the warrant, a second suspect, Beau Russell Anderson, 38, of Noti, was located in possession of a firearm and arrested. Detectives also located stolen firearms and a stolen vehicle not related to the original burglary case. Anderson was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Aggravated Theft in the 1st Degree, Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The property crimes detective continued following up, and on February 13th, detectives returned to the property with an additional search warrant. During the service of this warrant, detectives located 9 stolen firearms and ammunition that had been stolen in the burglary. The last suspect, Guy Gilbert Devault, 61, of Noti, is still outstanding, as well as several firearms. Detectives determined Devault was living on a property in the 23000 block of Green Creek Road, and authored a search warrant. Devault was not located during the service of the warrant. Detectives are continuing to investigate the case, but have been unable to locate him or the remaining firearms. Devault (pictured) is described as a white male, 5’10” tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Devault are asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 541-682-4150 option 1.

LCSO Deputy Assaulted at Lane Co. Jail, Eugene

Lane Co. SO release - On March 5th at 11:30 a.m. in the Lane County Jail, a deputy was assisting a nurse with medication distribution in a housing area. An adult in custody, John Paul Lockhart, 62, of Medford, was out of his cell for his dayroom time, which custodies are given throughout the day in all housing areas. As the deputy was assisting the nurse and another adult in custody, Lockhart ran at the deputy and began striking him with a mop handle, causing injuries to his arm and torso. The deputy deployed pepper spray, which was ineffective. The deputy then took Lockhart to the floor, removed the broom handle, and placed him in handcuffs. Lockhart, who was already in custody on multiple warrants and for crimes investigated by Oregon State Police and the Eugene Police Department, was charged with: - Attempted Assault in the 2nd Degree; - Assault on a Public Safety Officer; - Unlawful Use of a Weapon; - Supplying Contraband.