JCSO Case 20-5124
MEDFORD, Ore. - An Eagle Point woman was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison Monday, December 4, for taking sexually explicit photos of an 8-year-old child and sending them to multiple individuals she met online. Kayla Dee Lester, 31, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison and 20 years’ supervised release. This case was investigated by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force. It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office District of Oregon.
This case’s successful outcome required collaboration from local and federal law enforcement agencies. This teamwork led to the establishment of the Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET), a joint inter-agency task force that was started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation and human trafficking.
The initial investigation began in January of 2020 when JCSO detectives and HSI received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) of child pornography being uploaded from an address in the 600 block of East Archwood Drive in Eagle Point. According to court documents, in 2020, Lester took sexually explicit photos of an 8-year-old child and distributed them to multiple individuals online. When interviewed by police, Lester admitted to using Whisper and other social media applications to meet people and solicit child pornography. She further admitted to sending the images she took of the 8-year-old child to others in hopes they would send her child pornography in return.
On September 17, 2020, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Lester with using a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct and distributing and possessing child pornography. On May 10, 2023, Lester pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography.
On July 6, 2023, while awaiting sentencing, Lester was arrested for possessing an internet-connected cell phone in violation of her release conditions. Her cell phone was found to contain nude images of herself and other adults who she was chatting with online as well as chats between Lester and others wherein she described sexually abusing her 8-year-old victim. A forensic search later conducted on her phone revealed 44 videos of child pornography. On July 10, 2023, Lester’s pretrial release was revoked.
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JCSO Case 23-7459
PHOENIX, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) joint inter-agency task force served a search warrant this morning at a residence in the 400 block of 5th Street in Phoenix. SOCET served the warrant after discovering numerous images of child exploitation were uploaded from the residence. Detectives are interviewing possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing.
SOCET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Medford Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, and Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF).
During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation. A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children started the investigation, which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. There is no further information available for release.
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JCSO Case 23-6341
EAGLE POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives arrested an Eagle Point couple last Thursday, November 16th for multiple sex crimes involving a child under the age of 12. The suspects are Colton Joseph Thornton, 28, and Elizabeth Nicole Shockey-Rydall, 31, both of Eagle Point. Thornton is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sexual penetration, first-degree sodomy, and first-degree sexual abuse. Shockey is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. They are both lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
JCSO SVU detectives believe Thornton may have other juvenile victims. Anyone with information about the pictured suspect is asked to call SVU Detective Jill Wenzel at (541) 770-8928.
This case is under investigation with SVU detectives working additional leads. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
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JCSO 23-6644
SHADY COVE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred last night in Shady Cove around 2:02 a.m. ECSO Dispatch received a call that a homeowner had shot a suspect during a home-invasion burglary in the area of Cleveland Street in Shady Cove. JCSO deputies responded, and Mercy Flights medics attempted life-saving measures. The suspect was pronounced deceased at 2:34 a.m.
JCSO detectives are investigating claims of self-defense during the home-invasion burglary. An occupant of the home held a valid protection order against the suspect. There have been no arrests, and all parties are cooperating with the investigation.
Upon completion of the investigation, detectives will forward the case to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for review. Due to the sensitive nature and ongoing investigation, names will not be released at this time. Further information will be released at a later time in coordination with the DA’s Office.
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CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A 16-year-old passenger potentially saved multiple lives yesterday at a busy intersection in Central Point. Around 3:14 p.m., a grandmother was driving her grandson west on Biddle Road near Table Rock Road when she suffered a medical emergency. With the car accelerating and his grandmother unconscious, 16-year-old Tayen made the split-second decision to press his foot on the brake and steer the car away from oncoming traffic in the intersection. He then began performing CPR while waving down passing motorists who assisted and called 911. This decision not only saved his grandmother and himself, but other motorists as well.
The responding Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy presented Tayen with a challenge coin to commend his swift action under intense pressure. Tayen, you are a life saver and a true hero. Our thoughts are with your grandmother and her speedy recovery. She is in a local hospital in stable condition.
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JCSO Case 23-6529
TRAIL, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Patrol deputies tracked down and arrested a fugitive wanted out of California yesterday. JCSO Patrol located and arrested Tyler Thomas Burrow, 24, on a Trinity County, California fugitive Warrant around 2:35 p.m. in a remote forest camp northeast of Trail. He is lodged at the Jackson County Jail awaiting extradition back to California. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office detectives are in Jackson County doing follow-up investigations. There is no more information for release at this time. Further information will come from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
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JCSO Case 23-6526
MEDFORD, Ore. – A stolen minivan driving at high speeds on I-5 attempted to elude law enforcement before crashing on Table Rock Road in Medford today around 1 p.m. After crashing, the suspect attempted to elude on foot before being arrested by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies. The suspect, Antoine Roberson, 37, of Brookings, Ore., is charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, recklessly endangering, hit and run, attempting to elude in vehicle, attempting to elude on foot, and first-degree criminal mischief. He is now lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
Around 1:10 p.m. the minivan passed JCSO detectives in an unmarked vehicle around I-5 south at milepost 40. The minivan was driving recklessly at speeds over 100 miles-per-hour in the rain. The detectives radioed ECSO dispatch and a JCSO Traffic deputy and Oregon State Police Trooper staged near I-5 exit 30. The minivan took the exit and attempted to elude law enforcement.
A JCSO deputy successfully spiked the minivan’s tires at Table Rock Road and Berrydale Avenue. The minivan continued driving recklessly before crashing into a car and fence on Table Rock Road. The driver attempted to elude on foot before JCSO deputies quickly outperformed him and took him into custody without incident. There were no injuries reported during the crash.
The minivan was an unreported stolen vehicle out of Josephine County. This case is active and ongoing with deputies following additional leads. There is no further information available for release.
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