Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested on Federal Child Exploitation Charges




EUGENE, Ore. — A Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested and federally charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and receipt of child sexual abuse material.

Dylan Ford, 29, made his initial appearance today in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

According to court documents, Ford allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations, image exchanges, and video chats with multiple children under the age of 16. He reportedly used the encrypted messaging app Telegram and disappearing photo applications to initiate and conduct these interactions. 

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Ford’s cell phone, which contained numerous chats with individuals who identified themselves as minors. In these exchanges, Ford allegedly solicited custom child sexual abuse material and directed specific sexual acts. A video found on the device depicted a distressed minor engaged in sexual acts. In some conversations, Ford allegedly used a colleague’s social media profile photo in an attempt to conceal his identity.

Upon learning of the suspected activity, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office promptly requested assistance from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, which then brought in the FBI. Ford was arrested by the FBI on July 28, 2026.

The case is being investigated by the FBI in coordination with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will McLaren.

Individuals with information about the physical or online exploitation of children are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

Federal law prohibits any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. Child sexual abuse material records real crimes against children; each time such images or videos are viewed or shared online, the victims are re-victimized. For more information, visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

© Written by: M. Weber

Support for local journalism is essential, and donations for the author, Michael Weber, can be made to the following:

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