A Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy is facing child exploitation charges for allegedly exchanging sexually explicit messages with children under the age of 16.
Dylan Ford, 29, appeared in federal court Wednesday on the charges, and is being detained pending further court proceedings.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office said it’s placed him on unpaid administrative leave.
In a news release Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office said it received a report that Ford had an inappropriate relationship with a minor in another county last month. The Sheriff’s Office asked an outside agency to investigate. He was arrested by the FBI on Tuesday.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ford allegedly exchanges sexually explicit chats and videos to multiple children under the age of 16. He used the encrypted Telegram app to urge minors to send him sexually explicit child abuse material. He also sent some of those children a colleagues’ social media profile, which law enforcement believes was an effort to shield his identity.
According to Oregon’s law enforcement database, Ford does not appear to have any previous sanctions for misconduct. His only listed law enforcement employer is the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said it has no additional information to share about Ford’s case and thanked the Linn County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance on the case. It asked anyone in the public with information to contact the FBI.
In a statement released Wednesday, Sheriff Carl Wilkerson said his office was cooperating with investigators.
“I am very sad and disgusted by this conduct," Wilkerson said, "but I am committed to the protection of our community and to holding all offenders accountable."
This story was updated to include additional information
