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Building a digital defense against ‘sextortion’ scams

News Release
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Building a digital defense against ‘sextortion’ scams

In the last few days, the FBI has launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the crime of “sextortion” with a goal of helping parents protect their families.

The FBI is seeing more and more cases involving sextortion, particularly of kids, sometimes as young as 7 or 8 years old.

The extortionist finds kids on social media, through gaming apps, or through other online platforms. He will either find victims who respond to attention from an adult … or he will pretend to be another child. Either way, he will groom the victim, using flattery or gifts. Those gifts could be real or something as simple as virtual tokens or extra progress in a game.

Eventually, he convinces the child to send a naked photo – and one is all it takes. If the child tries to pull away, the extortionist will threaten the victim with exposure, telling the child that he will send the photo to friends and family or post online.

Over time, the extortionist continues to threaten while escalating demands, which can include the production of more explicit photos and commanding that the child to perform sex acts alone or with siblings and friends.

For too many parents, the thought is that it can’t happen to my kid and it can’t happen here. Unfortunately, it can on both counts.

As part of the national awareness campaign, the FBI is highlighting a recent case from Oregon. Agents arrested David Ernest Otto after finding that he had victimized a number of teenage girls. He found them on a photo sharing site and groomed them until they started providing sexually explicit material. In April of this year, a federal judge sentenced Otto to 15 years in prison for production of child pornography. To read more about the Otto case, check out this link: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/tigard-man-sentenced-15-years-federal-prison-sexually-exploiting-minors-using-social 

Often children and teens are so concerned they will get in trouble or lose their devices, that they are reluctant to come forward. It’s up to the parent to develop that open, honest line of communication. Start with some short conversations, and ask:

  • When you are online, has anyone you don’t know ever tried to contact you?
  • What would you do if they did?
  • Why do you think someone would want to talk to a kid online?
  • Why do you think adults sometimes pretend to be kids online?
  • Has anyone you know ever sent a picture of themselves that got passed around school?
  • What do you think can happen if you send a photo to anyone – even a friend?
  • What if that picture were embarrassing?

Finally, consider using what you’ve just learned to start the conversation: “Hey, I heard this story on the news today about kids getting pressured to send pictures and videos of themselves to people online. Have you heard anything like that before?”

Parents are the best line of defense for their kids. For more information, see the “Stop Sextortion” section on www.fbi.gov.

To report concerns about potential predators, go to https://tips.fbi.gov or call your local FBI office.

‘Smoke signal’ alerts authorities to fugitive fleeing police on foot

Justin Werner
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‘Smoke signal’ alerts authorities to fugitive fleeing police on foot
INN Spanish Head
(Photos by Justin Werner)

Smoke from a burning cigarette played a role in the apprehension of a suspect fleeing police on foot on the beach in the dark of night late Monday in Lincoln City.

Billyray Benson Branum

With the help of K9 Nix, Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies detained Billyray Benson Branum, 21, who hid for nearly an hour near the Inn at Spanish Head before 10 p.m. after he fled from Lincoln City Police following a suspicious person’s call.

“I saw a puff of smoke and then another puff and said, ‘There he is,”‘ TCB Security Services Supervisor Robert Cheesebrew said. “I called the non-emergency line and told deputies where they could find him.”

Security guard Robert Cheesebrew

An Inn at Spanish Head security guard, Cheesebrew said the suspect hid in dense brush on the side of a cliff just north of the hotel about five stories up, making the search difficult for pursuing officers, one of which was slightly injured in the chase. Cheesebrew said he stood on the resort hotel’s balcony and saw the subject, who was clad in dark clothing, smoking.

Police dog Nix was called to track the suspect, and barking could be heard on the beach north of the hotel. The dog locked the man down, and deputies took him into custody and to an all-terrain vehicle without further incident.

On the right hand side of this photo is where the suspect was hiding

Police Sgt. Jeffery Winn said Branum was wanted for breaking and entering at an unoccupied residence in the 3700 block of SW Anchor Court, where he allegedly broke a window to get in. He was seen fleeing out the back with a bag of suspected stolen goods.

Branum was taken to the Lincoln City Police Department while officers awaited a probable cause affidavit. Branum was lodged at Lincoln County Jail in Newport on charges of Burglary I, Theft III, Criminal Mischief II and Escape III.

Escorting one in custody back to patrol vehicles

 

Woman found in critical condition in creek following Highway 101 crash

Homepage Staff
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Woman found in critical condition in creek following Highway 101 crash

A 35-year-old woman was found partially submerged and in critical condition Saturday in a creek in the woods down a steep embankment following a car crash off Highway 101 near Depoe Bay.

At approximately 8 p.m., Oregon State Police were dispatched to investigate an abandoned vehicle buried deep in the brush off the southbound shoulder of Highway 101 near mile post 128.

OSP Officer David Wertz and recruit Eric Larson located the concealed car and negotiated the steep hillside but found the vehicle unoccupied. The troopers noticed what looked like a trail leading past the car and followed it.

The driver was found approximately 100 feet from the vehicle on the west side of 101 and believed to have been down the embankment for more than eight hours.

The woman was transported by Life Flight Helicopter to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland.

The driver’s condition is unknown at this time.

Depoe Bay man dies in two-vehicle crash on Highway 101

Homepage Staff
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Depoe Bay man dies in two-vehicle crash on Highway 101

A 53-year-old Depoe Bay man was killed and five people hospitalized Sunday following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near Beverly Beach.

A preliminary Oregon State Police investigation reported that Jackie Dean of Depoe Bay sustained fatal injuries at approximately 3:52 p.m. when his red Chrysler Sebring hit a guardrail while traveling northbound near milepost 134, crossed the center line and struck a southbound gray Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Pedro Segura, 42, of Salem.

Segura and his four passengers (two adults/two juveniles) were transported to area hospitals with injuries.

OSP was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, Lincoln County Medical Examiner and the Newport Fire Department.

LCSD to offer free device, Internet service to eligible, needy students

Homepage Staff
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LCSD to offer free device, Internet service to eligible, needy students

In an effort to improve equity and use of technology in its schools, the Lincoln County School District will provide a wireless device and free internet connectivity for high school students who do not have reliable Internet access at home.

Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, under an award from the 1Million Project Foundation, 3GB per month of free internet connectivity will be available to high school students at no cost, while no personal information about students or their families can be accessed.

Internet access through www.1millionproject.org is critical for homework, college and career research and applications, financial aid, social services, health care and more to achieve and excel in today’s digital environment.

To determine eligibility for the program, ninth grade students are being surveyed about their use of Internet, and parent permission is then required to participate.

Eligible students will receive:

— A mobile hotspot device;

— 3GB per month of free high-speed LTE data (if usage exceeds 3 GB in a month, unlimited data is available at 2G speeds for the remainder of the month);

— Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant content filter;

— Wireless service for up to four years while still in a participating high school.

The program might be expanded to students in other grade levels if there are devices available. The award provides 50 wireless devices for the 2019-20 school year.

Meanwhile, under the EveryOne:1 program, eligible students in grades 2 through 12 will be assigned their own Chromebook for access to technology that contributes to them being future ready.

Grade 9-12 students will be allowed to take the Chromebook home during the summer. LCSD will charge a $15 technology fee at registration, which will support the maintenance of the nearly 5,000 devices.

The Chromebook has an 11-inch screen and functions as a laptop. If a family is financially stressed, the $15 technology fee might be waived.

More information about technology in LCSD will be posted on the district’s website.

City of Lincoln City: Keep it legal and keep it safe

News Release
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City of Lincoln City: Keep it legal and keep it safe
Photo by Cody Cha

The City of Lincoln City encourages everyone to keep it legal and keep it safe with friends and family while observing this Independence Day.

“Lincoln City is the best place on the coast to come for 4th of July holiday fireworks,” City Manager Ron Chandler said. “With fireworks over Devils Lake on July 3 and more fireworks over Siletz Bay on July 4, you’ll get double the shows of anywhere else. Enjoy what we offer, be legal and be safe.”

Lincoln City offers two professional firework displays to enjoy. On July 3 Devils Lake will be home to a pre-Independence Day display and boat parade. Siletz Bay on July 4 has a family-friendly atmosphere all day with live music and beach time fun followed by a display at dusk.

In Oregon, some, but not all consumer fireworks are legal. Legal fireworks include cone fountains, cylindrical fountains, sparklers, ground spinners, illuminating torches, and other similar items. Additional legal novelty items include those that make smoke, ash or a small noise, such as smoke bombs, party poppers, snakes, etc.

Oregon law prohibits possession, use, or sale of any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground, without a permit issued by the Oregon State Fire Marshall. Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon, without a permit.

Officials may seize illegal fireworks and charge offenders with a class B misdemeanor which could result in a fine of up to $2,500 per violation and a civil penalty of up to $500. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damage. Parents are also liable for fireworks damage caused by their children.

The Oregon State Fire Marshall encourages everyone to use the four B’s of safe fireworks use:

  • Be Prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.
  • Be Safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks.
  • Be Responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.
  • Be Aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places.

For more information about fireworks in Lincoln City, visit LincolnCity.org/Fireworks or call 541-996-2151.

Wildfire season approaching: Know your evacuation levels

News Release
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Wildfire season approaching: Know your evacuation levels

Parts of Oregon are already heading into wildfire season and given the serious season that Oregon, and other parts of the West Coast, experienced last year, Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management offers an important reminder about evacuation levels.

The statewide “Ready, Set, Go” system is used to notify communities that they are facing a threat and are used for floods, fires and other hazards.

“An important part of wildfire preparedness is familiarity with statewide evacuation levels,” says OEM Director Andrew Phelps. “Wildfires can come without warning and move quickly, so residents need to prepare now in case they have to leave their home.”

  • Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
  • Level 2 Evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate. You should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice as this level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. Residents may have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.
  • Level 3 Evacuation means “GO” Evacuate NOW – leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.

OEM partners  with the Department of Forestry, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Keep Oregon Green and other state agencies each year to promote wildfire awareness and preparedness, and urges all Oregon communities to always follow directions of emergency officials during evacuations.

“We want to make sure every Oregonian is safe this fire season and that you are prepared for any hazard we face,” says Phelps.

Lincoln City Youth League crowns 2019 Home Run Derby champs

Homepage Staff
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Lincoln City Youth League crowns 2019 Home Run Derby champs

2019 Lincoln City Youth League Home Run Derby winners: 

T-Ball: Jeremiah Kesch
Lil Sluggers: Parker Reese
Farm: Ale Hernandez
Minors: Lonnie West
Majors: Juan Hernandez
Babe Ruth: Gavin Koceja
10U: Kayleah Hudson
12U: Alicenn Tolan
14U: Trinity Blacketer
Women’s: Dena Patterson
Men’s: Antonio Garcia

 

Taft’s Coulter, Danneker named first-team all-league softball players

Jim Fossum
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Taft’s Coulter, Danneker named first-team all-league softball players

Taft High’s indomitable pitching and plate presence of junior teammates Emma Coulter and Hailee Danneker has again been rewarded for its formidable talent with both players being chosen first-team all-league for the second straight season.

Hailee Danneker
Emma Coulter

Coulter, a hard-hitting, fireballing right-handed pitcher, and Danneker, a slugging leadoff-batting defensive-minded catcher, comprised one of the most effective batteries in small-school Oregon softball for the second straight year after both players were named to the West Valley League first team last season.

Danneker was first-team and Coulter second-team all-state players as 15-year-old sophomores last year. The 2019 Class 3A all-Oregon team is expected to be announced next week.

Meanwhile, underclassman Claira Tolan was a second-team all-league pick for the second straight year despite moving from infield to outfield for the first time. Fellow sophomore Kayla Lininger and freshman Chloe Peterson also were named to Special District 1’s second team. Freshman Addie Gates was honorable mention.

Coach Sandy Stuart’s Tigers went 18-9 and placed third in SD1 play at 7-5 this season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A OSAA State Softball Championships for the second straight year.

Emma Coulter and Hailee Danneker

Fisher, DeMello named to first-team All-State baseball squad

Jim Fossum
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Fisher, DeMello named to first-team All-State baseball squad

Taft High’s Tyee Fisher hit two grand slams this season, but the senior outfielder has delivered a parting shot prior to his graduation next week by joining junior teammate Eli DeMello as a first-team all-state baseball player in 2019.

Taft senior infielder Cody Knott was named to the all-Oregon Class 3A second-team, while all three players were named Special District 2 first-team performers.

“It is really special to get recognized for something that we all love to do,” Fisher said. “I want to thank my coaches for everything. I wouldn’t be getting this award without them.”

“It means a lot to me,” DeMello said. “I have been playing baseball since I can remember, and before every game, I take a second for my cousin that passed away when I was 6. Every game since he passed I have written his name on my shoe and played every pitch and every out for him. I am very honored to get the award, but I did it for him.”

DeMello was a first-team all-league pick and honorable mention all-state selection last season as a sophomore catcher, while Fisher and Knott were second-team all-league as juniors in 2018.

Senior pitcher/first baseman Bleiz Kimbrough was honored along with junior Trenton Fisher on the 2019 all-league second team, while sophomore infielder Fco Ramos was an honorable mention selection.

Coach Matt Hilgers’ Tigers finished 17-10 overall and placed third in SD2 play this season at 11-4 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 3A OSAA State Baseball Championships.

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