EUGENE, Ore. (Jul. 29, 2026) — A Lane County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on federal charges accusing him of exploiting children online, including allegedly persuading minors to produce child sexual abuse material and receiving explicit images and videos.
Dylan Ford, 29, made his initial appearance Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Eugene, where a U.S. magistrate judge ordered him detained pending further court proceedings.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Ford is charged with actual and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and receipt of child sexual abuse material.
Federal prosecutors allege Ford exchanged sexually explicit messages, images and videos with multiple children under the age of 16 using the encrypted messaging platform Telegram and applications featuring disappearing photos. Investigators allege Ford initiated conversations that developed into sexual exchanges with the children.
Court documents state that investigators executed a search warrant on Ford’s cellphone and found numerous conversations with individuals who identified themselves as minors. Prosecutors allege Ford encouraged children to create and send custom child sexual abuse material, at times instructing them to perform specific sexual acts involving household items.
Investigators also reported finding a video depicting a distressed child engaged in sexual acts. According to the complaint, Ford allegedly used a colleague’s social media profile photo in some online conversations in an apparent attempt to conceal his identity.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office said it requested assistance from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office immediately after learning of the allegations. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office then contacted the FBI, which joined the investigation.
Ford was arrested Tuesday by the FBI.
The case was investigated by the FBI in coordination with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Will McLaren.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the physical or online exploitation of children to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip through the agency’s online reporting system.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
A criminal complaint contains allegations only. Ford is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
