Phone Scam, Lane Co.
Lane Co. SO release – The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has received dozens of reports this morning from our community about an automated phone scam claiming to be our agency. The scam is originating from or providing a callback number of 541-361-3786, and all options on the phone tree result in the caller being asked to send an email to a fraudulent email address, usually some variation of “info” at “civil service agency”. Residents are advised not to call the scammer back or email any address provided. If you are contacted by this scam, please report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov. We will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty. Scammers usually claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unsettled legal issues. The scammers then ask for payment or personal information, often to avoid arrest. 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, please hang up and contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4141. Please share with your friends and family!
Lane Co. Drug Dealer Sentenced
LCSO release – In 2022, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver, Raymond Martin Kennedy, was initially arrested for Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, and two warrants. Follow up investigation revealed he was also in possession of three handguns (two of which were stolen) and substantial quantities of drugs including suspected fentanyl. With collaboration between LCSO and the Springfield Police Department, 5 total cases were eventually generated against Kennedy. Unfortunately, Kennedy fled the state to avoid sentencing. He was eventually captured in Indiana and returned to Oregon. On May 8th, Kennedy pled guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to 70 months in prison. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Springfield Police Department and the Lane County District Attorney’s Office for their work on this and related cases.
Stole from the Livestock Association
Lane Co. SO release – On January 5th, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy took a report of a large monetary theft from the Lane County Livestock Association. The case was forwarded to the property crimes detective for follow up. During the follow up investigation, the detective determined the money had been stolen by Kevin Douglas Smith, 52, of Springfield. The total amount stolen was around $96,000 dollars. On May 20th, Smith was arrested for Aggravated Theft in the First Degree.