Eugene, Ore. – Gary Dean Minton was arrested today, Jan. 03, 2022, at the Lane County Jail due to a warrant issued last year for his arrest. Minton is scheduled to appear in court today for a pretrial conference at 2:30 p.m. according to court records. The court appearance is due to his 2021 arrest for Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree. Case 21-11082
****ORIGINAL STORY FROM 2021****
Eugene, Ore. – At 8:11 p.m. on July 21, 2021, Gary Dean Minton, age 56, of Springfield, agreed to meet with a juvenile female, who was actually a Eugene Police Department detective investigating online crimes against children. The investigation was started some time ago and on July 21, Minton arranged to meet the juvenile at a location for sexual acts. Minton arrived to the location by bicycle and when, contacted by Violent Crimes Unit detectives and a Patrol officer, Minton was cooperative during the arrest. He was in possession of methamphetamine. Minton was taken into custody without incident by VCU detectives and lodged at Lane County Jail on a charge of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree. Case 21-11082
Also, on July 22, 2021, Jason Benjamin Madden, age 43, of Springfield, agreed to meet with a juvenile female for sexual acts. The ‘teen’ was actually a VCU detective working cases of online crimes against children. Madden had also promised to provide drugs to the teen. Madden arrived by vehicle at the meet-up location at 2:22 p.m. on July 22. He was contacted by Violent Crimes Unit detectives with the assistance of EPD Street Crimes Unit. During this, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and other drugs. Madden was on parole at the time of the incident and was taken into custody without incident by VCU detectives and lodged at the Lane County Jail on a charge of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree. Case 21-11142
On July 30, 2021, Michael Lee Winfrey, age 40, of Springfield, agreed to meet with a juvenile female for sexual acts. The ‘teen’ was actually a VCU detective working cases of online crimes against children. He was contacted by Violent Crimes Unit detectives and arrested. During this, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Winfrey was taken into custody without incident by VCU detectives and lodged at the Lane County Jail on a charge of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree. Case 21-11454
On August 5, 2021, at around 2:30 p.m., Richard Allen Chamberlain, age 61, of Springfield, agreed to meet with a juvenile female for sexual acts. The ‘teen’ was actually a VCU detective working cases of online crimes against children. He was contacted by Violent Crimes Unit detectives and arrested. Chamberlain was taken into custody without incident by VCU detectives and lodged at the Lane County Jail on a charge of Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree. He has a prior history out of another state. Case 21-12032
In all of these cases, the suspects initiated contact with the ‘teens’ without any solicitation from the undercover detectives.
“This is a sobering reminder of the ongoing online threats to our most vulnerable,” said Captain Shawn Adams. “In three of these incidents the suspects arrived to meet juvenile females with methamphetamines presumably to provide to the minors. It is a good reminder for parents to monitor their children’s online activity and engage in discussions regarding online safety. Detectives from the Eugene Police Department will continue to aggressively investigate online predators and hold them accountable for their actions.”
Tips for Parents and Guardians:
· Monitor your child’s devices remotely and control access
· Be aware of communications between your child and others
· Beware of unexplained absences and behavior or sudden gifts or items they can’t afford or cash
· Understand cyber-crime and that “no one online is anonymous”
· If you child has a new game or app, spend time with them on it
· Set up an area where children can use their technology with a parents presence
· Consider not allowing your child to take a phone or computer with them into their room at night to sleep
· Understand appropriate protocols when a child discloses issues of sexting, or sextortion. Let your child know they can report concerns to you or another trusted adult
· Teach your child that it is o.k. to block users who make them uncomfortable
· Understand applications such as SnapChat, TikTok, Facebook, Google Hangouts, Instagram and more
There are some excellent online resources for parents to use in teaching their children about online safety. A good example if from the Federal Trade Commission: Protecting Kids Online | FTC Consumer Information
(information from the Lane County Jail – Web Jail Viewer, OREGON JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT – Online Records Search, and the Eugene Police Department)
