Lane County Mugshots ©

Bend, Or. - The weight of this story is nearly unbearable. It is a chilling testament to how easily a father can lose his children, not through wrongdoing, but through a system that too often favors the first to accuse and asks questions later. Last month, I reported on the horrifying case of Sarah Session and her parents, Paula and Gary Hardenburg. Sarah stands accused of abusing and nearly killing her 9-year-old stepson, Braxton, while her parents allegedly enabled the abuse and helped cover it up. The details of this case are some of the most horrifying I have ever come across, acts of cruelty inflicted upon a helpless child, short of death itself. But beyond the gruesome abuse lies another devastating truth: Sarah was only able to harm this child because she manipulated the court system, weaponizing lies to gain not only custody of her own two children but also temporary custody of Braxton, her husband's son from a previous relationship. She stole them, not with force, but wit...

EUGENE, Ore. – A Eugene man has been arrested following a year-long investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material. Kolton Warren Schneider , 22, was taken into custody without incident after Eugene Police’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, served a search warrant at a residence in the 2300 block of Irwin Way . The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children provided tips regarding child sexual abuse material being downloaded at the location. Detectives determined that Schneider had allegedly been downloading explicit videos of young children for approximately a year. With assistance from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the FBI, law enforcement officers executed the warrant, searched the residence, and arrested Schneider. He has been lodged at the Lane County Jail on 13 counts of Encouraging Child Sex...

EUGENE, Ore. – A Eugene man was arrested Wednesday morning following a domestic dispute that led to multiple assault-related charges. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies also recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the incident. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 8 a.m. on March 13 to a reported dispute in the 500 block of Rosewood Avenue in Eugene. Upon arrival, they contacted the individuals involved and conducted an investigation. As a result, 47-year-old Brian Christopher Vaughan of Eugene was arrested and booked into the Lane County Jail. He faces charges of strangulation, fourth-degree assault, menacing, and unlawful use of a weapon. Following Vaughan’s arrest, deputies sought a search warrant to locate the firearm used in the incident. The warrant was granted, and during the search of the residence, deputies successfully recovered the handgun. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details about the nature of th...

JUNCTION CITY, Ore. – A Eugene man was arrested Wednesday morning after trespassing across multiple rural properties, entering buildings, and breaking into a home with children inside. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and a Junction City Police officer responded around 10:30 a.m. on March 13 to reports of a man trespassing in the 30500 block of Hayes Lane, southeast of Junction City. As additional calls came in, the suspect continued moving through properties before disappearing into dense brush. Deputies spotted the man, identified as 34-year-old Jacob Lee Woody , sprinting across a field before losing sight of him. A drone was deployed, quickly locating Woody hiding in the brush. He was arrested and booked into the Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, second-degree theft, and five counts of second-degree criminal trespass. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Junction Cit...

  EUGENE, Ore. – A Eugene couple, previously charged in connection with the death of a dog left in a hot car, has been arrested again on outstanding warrants. Joshua Makii McFarland , 46, and Shayla Rose McFarland , 43, were taken into custody today, March 14, 2025, for failure to appear in court. The warrants were issued in February 2025 after both failed to appear for scheduled proceedings. The case dates back to June 23, 2024, when Eugene Police responded to the Navigation Center on River Avenue around 5 a.m. following reports of a deceased dog inside a vehicle. Another dog, an older Labrador, was also found in the car. Authorities determined the dogs had been left in the hot vehicle for an extended period, leading to the tragic death of one of them. At the time, the McFarlands were staying at the Navigation Center and were charged with Animal Neglect in the First Degree and Animal Neglect in the Second Degree. Joshua McFarland also faced an additional charge of Possession of...

SILETZ, Ore. – After an extensive 10-day search, missing child Dane Paulsen was found deceased in the Siletz River on March 11, 2025 , approximately three miles downstream from his family’s property, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office . Dane had been missing since March 1, 2025, at 4:25 p.m. , prompting a large-scale search effort involving local authorities and community volunteers. His body was discovered at 11:13 a.m. by Juan Heredia of Angels Recovery Dive Team , who had volunteered his services to the family. After coordinating with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office , Heredia was taken onto the river by a local guide and searched areas downstream from where sheriff’s divers had already conducted thorough sweeps. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office and the Lincoln County Medical Examiner’s Office are currently processing the scene. Authorities have not released additional details as the investigation is ongoing. Sheriff Adam Shanks expressed condolences t...

EUGENE, Ore. – A Eugene man was arrested after crashing his vehicle into a heavy metal gate while speeding at over 100 mph on Royal Avenue, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred on March 10 when a sheriff’s deputy contacted a group of young adults with vehicles at the dead end of Royal Avenue, west of Eugene. As the deputy was leaving, he spotted a vehicle racing toward the dead end at an extremely high speed. The driver, later identified as 41-year-old Daniel Michael Brumley of Eugene , narrowly avoided hitting the deputy’s patrol car, parked vehicles, and bystanders before slamming into the gate, destroying both the barrier and his vehicle. Despite the severity of the crash, Brumley suffered only minor injuries. After an investigation, deputies arrested Brumley and booked him into the Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including DUI, Reckless Driving, five counts of Reckless Endangering, and two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree . Au...

  VENETA, Ore. – A chaotic series of events on the evening of March 8 led to two arrests in Veneta, following multiple crashes and a stabbing. At around 7 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported vehicle crash near Territorial Road and Highway 126. However, when they arrived, the vehicle was no longer at the scene. About an hour later, another crash involving a matching vehicle was reported near Jeans Road and Vista Drive. Deputies found the vehicle, a red 1990 Toyota pickup, unoccupied and were unable to locate the driver. An hour after the second crash, deputies were called to a stabbing at a residence in the 29600 block of Jeans Road. During their investigation, deputies determined all the incidents were connected. Emma Kathleen Gunson-Anderson , 39, of Veneta, was identified as the driver of the crashed vehicle and was arrested for DUI and Hit and Run – Property Damage in connection to the crashes. She also faces charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Men...

EUGENE, Ore. – A stabbing incident in downtown Eugene on the evening of March 9 led to a manhunt and eventual arrest. At approximately 5:30 p.m., authorities responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1500 block of High Street . Multiple Eugene Police units and Eugene Springfield Fire arrived at the scene, but the suspect had already fled eastbound on 16th Avenue. A Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit was deployed to assist in the search, but the suspect remained at large. Hours later, at 8:27 p.m., the suspect, identified as 56-year-old Michael Joseph Schlimmer , called authorities to report his location outside the Lane County Jail. He was taken into custody without incident and booked on charges of Assault in the First Degree . The victim, a 21-year-old male, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a stab wound. Authorities have not yet released details about the motive or circumstances surrounding the attack. The investigation remains ongoing. Information from EPD Mic...

Last month, I reported on the heartbreaking case of Sarah Session and her parents, Paula and Gary Hardenburg. Sarah is accused of abusing and attempting to kill her 9-year-old stepson, Braxton, while her parents are accused of aiding in the abuse and covering up evidence. Today, I introduce you to Christopher Session, Braxton’s father, who is now raising his son, along with his two other children, while navigating the legal battles ahead. Despite all he has endured, Braxton is doing remarkably well, as shown in the photo shared with Christopher’s permission. While the worst is over in terms of physical harm, the emotional toll remains. Christopher and his family now face not just one, but three upcoming trials as they seek justice for Braxton. This case has been ongoing since last year when Braxton was placed at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital after allegedly suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his stepmother. That marked the end of his suffering and the beginning of his...

Eugene, Or. - Cody Lee Lewis , 41, was arrested on March 6 after a Eugene Police officer spotted a white pickup truck with U-Haul labels in the 900 block of Franklin Boulevard. The truck matched the description of a vehicle linked to recent break-ins, including one reported on March 4 outside a hospice facility. After stopping the truck, the officer found that Lewis was driving with a suspended license and identified him as the suspect in at least two vehicle break-ins, along with a third unreported case in Springfield. A further search uncovered a firearm, methamphetamine, burglary tools, and evidence tampering. Lewis now faces multiple charges, including Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Cases 25-03676 & 25-03551 remain under investigation. Information from EPD Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable...

    Before Bryan Kohberger was identified as the suspect in the Moscow, Idaho, murders, I developed a theory about who the killer might be. My profile was based on past violent incidents, particularly what motivates school shooters, and the psychology of an outcast fueled by resentment and rage. While I didn’t get everything right about Kohberger, I was very close about many aspects of his personality, motives, and how he operated. The Suspect The killer was likely a male between 18-25 years old, physically fit, and socially awkward, an outcast who had spent his life on the fringes. He wasn’t part of the “popular crowd” but desperately wanted to be. He may have tried to integrate into their world, hanging around college bars or parties, possibly even entering the victims’ home before. A minor rejection or perceived slight could have fueled his obsession and deep-seated resentment. When Kohberger was arrested, many of these traits matched him exactly. He was a Ph.D. criminology...

  Some serial killers are driven by delusions and voices only they can hear, but mission-oriented killers are different. They are methodical, intelligent, and often blend seamlessly into society. They plan with precision, choosing their targets carefully and executing their crimes with chilling efficiency. These individuals don’t act on impulse—they follow a mission. I believe Bryan Kohberger’s mission was to commit a series of unsolvable, high-profile murders. He chose his location strategically, an off-the-beaten-path house in Moscow, Idaho, that was easy to access, surveil, and escape from. It was the perfect storm: a small city, a university town, a limited police force, and a house full of well-known students whose deaths would create a media frenzy. He knew this crime wouldn’t go unnoticed, and he likely counted on law enforcement focusing on the victims’ social circles rather than an outsider like himself. But why didn’t he kill everyone in the house? Two possibilities: he m...

  Lane County, Or. -  A dramatic multi-agency rescue effort unfolded on the night of March 5 after a vehicle crashed into the McKenzie River near milepost 31 on McKenzie Highway, leaving the driver trapped. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police responded to the crash around 8 p.m., with fire agencies from McKenzie Fire, Eugene Springfield Fire, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District also rushing to the scene. The rescue was complicated by high water, darkness, and the vehicle’s precarious position on a rock ledge in the middle of the river. Deputies deployed a drone to assess the situation while Search & Rescue teams worked on setting a line across the river for a rescue swimmer. The U.S. Coast Guard was also called in, sending a helicopter to assist. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was lowered onto the vehicle, securing the driver before hoisting them to safety. The driver, who was uninjured, was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Vi...

  Eugene, Ore. - A Lane County man found guilty of first-degree murder except for insanity has been sentenced to serve 99 years under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board. On February 5, 2025, 57-year-old Travis William Crum was sentenced following his conviction for the brutal killing of 73-year-old Stephen Perry Bream in northern Lane County. Bream, identified as Crum’s mother’s boyfriend, was said to be beaten to death with a hammer on March 23, 2021, at a residence on Hall Road. Following the attack, Crum fled the scene in a gold 2004 Dodge Caravan. Later that night, around 10:17 p.m., residents reported a man matching Crum’s description throwing sticks at passing vehicles near milepost 18 on Highway 36. Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded, locating Crum standing in the middle of the highway. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Lane County Jail. Crum was transferred yesterday to the Oregon Sta...

EUGENE, OR – A Toyota Tundra slammed into a house at the intersection of Cal Young Road and Willagillespie Road early Saturday morning, causing significant damage and injuring a passenger. The crash occurred at 4:26 a.m. on March 2. The 26-year-old female passenger was taken to a local hospital with injuries, while all occupants of the home managed to escape unharmed. Eugene Springfield Fire responded to assess the structure and provide aid. Authorities say the driver, 24-year-old Hector Raul Sandoval , was arrested and booked into Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, and Criminal Mischief. The impact shattered a wall of the residence, sending debris into a bedroom. Fortunately, the homeowner, a woman in her 70s, was not inside at the time. The truck landed on her bed, with a structural post piercing the windshield near the passenger’s seat. The case remains under investigation. Information from EPD - Photo by Pat Delorme Mi...

PLEASANT HILL, OR – Fire crews and law enforcement responded to an early morning house fire on February 26th at the Bella Casa Mobile Home Park in Pleasant Hill . The fire, which broke out around 3:10 a.m., engulfed the front porch of a manufactured home and a car in the carport before spreading into the house. Initial reports indicated that the home's sole occupant might still be inside. Firefighters launched an aggressive search but found no one. Crews quickly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to neighboring homes. A responding Battalion Chief from Eugene-Springfield Fire spotted an individual walking along a road about a mile from the scene. The person was later identified as the home's resident, 54-year-old Fred Lemuel Bunge . Lane County Sheriff’s deputies, already assisting with the fire investigation, made contact with Bunge and discovered he had an active Lane County Circuit Court warrant for Attempt to Elude by Vehicle and Reckless Driving. Deputies ar...

LANE COUNTY, OR – A pedestrian was struck and killed Sunday night on Highway 99 in Lane County, prompting an hours-long investigation by Oregon State Police. The crash occurred at 8:28 p.m. near milepost 3   (between Goshen and Creswell) when a southbound Acura MDX, driven by 18-year-old Jaidene Raie Torgison of Creswell, struck 54-year-old Gary Dale Obert of Eugene, who was in the roadway.  Obert was pronounced dead at the scene. Torgison and a 17-year-old male passenger were reportedly uninjured. The highway was affected for approximately four hours as investigators worked at the scene. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, which specializes in analyzing serious crashes, is handling the investigation. Information from OSP Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest ...