Media Board

Recent media releases from the Benton County Sheriff's Office are listed below. To read past media releases, go to the "Supporting Documents" section of this web page.

Corvallis Man Arrested on Child and Animal Sex Abuse Charges

On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Craig Adair Chapman, 56, of Corvallis, in connection with an investigation going back to May of this year.

On May 18, 2018, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant for Chapman’s home in the 5100 block of NW Highway 99W, north of Corvallis. The search warrant was related to the illegal distribution of child sexual abuse material over the Internet. Numerous computers and electronic devices were seized and analyzed.

Chapman was arrested and booked into the Benton County Jail on the following charges: Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (x15), Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree (x15), and Encouraging Sexual Assault of an Animal (x6).

We encourage the public to report any suspected child sexual abuse material online to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at CyberTipline. NCMEC continuously reviews CyberTipline reports to ensure that reports of children who may be in imminent danger get first priority. After NCMEC’s review is completed, all information in a CyberTipline report is made available to law enforcement.

Assisting in this investigation was the Corvallis Police Department, with help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This investigation is ongoing and detectives are continuing to identify victims. Any persons with information regarding Craig Adair Chapman and his potential involvement with minors are asked to contact Detective Christopher Dale at 541-766-6858.

Benton County Sheriff's Office Still Accepting Applications for This Year's Citizens' Academy

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is still accepting applications for its 2018 Citizens’ Academy. The Academy begins September 11th and meets for ten sessions ending October 30th. This free program is designed to give citizen participants an opportunity to learn more about the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.

The class will meet each Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on two Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Saturdays are scheduled for September 15th and October 13th Most classes meet at the Law Enforcement Building in Corvallis.

During the program, participants will gain insight into the challenges faced by Deputies. Most of the instructors are sworn Deputies who share their experiences with the class.

The Citizens’ Academy covers all aspects of the Sheriff’s responsibilities including law enforcement, emergency management, search and rescue, parole and probation, jail operations and the support service and command responsibilities of the Office.

“We hope residents will take this opportunity to learn more about what their Sheriff’s Office does,” says Sheriff Scott Jackson. “The class fills up quickly so we encourage interested individuals to get their applications in early.” Deadline for applications is August 28, 2018.

Applications are available online at: 2018 Citizens' Academy or in person at the Law Enforcement Building, 180 NW 5th Street, Corvallis. For further information, contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 541-766-6858.

Child Injured at Fair

On August 3, 2018 at 7:45 pm, the Benton County Sheriff's Office responded to the Benton County Fair on an injured 3-year-old female. The child lives in Corvallis. The name information is not being released at this time.

Deputies received information that the child had fallen a short distance off of a ride that spun in a circle. The child was alone on the ride. Preliminary information indicated that the child was secured by a lap restraint that failed.

After the accident the ride was shut down.

The injuries were minor and the child was conscious, in discomfort, when she was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis by Corvallis Fire Ambulance.

Deputies Respond to Drowning / Victim Identified

Deputies with Benton County Sheriff's Office responded on 7/30/2018 at 2:00 pm to the Irish Bend Park on the Willamette River, 15 miles south of Corvallis on a report of a possible drowning. Monroe Fire and Corvallis Fire responded as well to assist.

Initial reports indicated that a community group with numerous juveniles had been swimming at Irish Bend Park with adult supervision. An adult male supervisor was observed struggling in the water. Several other members of the group tried to assist the male but were unsuccessful. The male went under the water and did not resurface.

Deputies arrived and with the assistance of the Harrisburg Fire Department, located the deceased 34-year-old male. Deputies with the Linn County Dive Team assisted in removing the male from the river, along with the Benton County Marine Boat.

Investigation is continuing, but it does not appear that the death is suspicious.

The victim in the drowning has been identified as Matthew Mark Schill, 34-years -old, of Corvallis.

Murder Indictment for William Hargrove

On July 10, 2018, a Benton County Grand Jury indicted William Hargrove, 28, of Corvallis, on Murder, Identity Theft, and two counts of Theft II.

Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hargrove on April 19, 2017, just two days into investigating a murder that occurred in a remote location outside the community of Alsea, Oregon on April 17, 2017.

The deceased victim, Anna Repkina, was born on September 24, 1989, in Russia, and had no known relatives in the United States. She was admitted through the Los Angeles International Airport, with a valid passport issued by the government of Russia. Anna arrived in Corvallis just one month prior to her death.

Hargrove remains lodged in the Benton County Jail; his trial is expected to take place next year.

This investigation has required a coordinated effort from a multitude of criminal justice agencies, to include Benton County District Attorney's Office, Corvallis Police Department, Philomath Police Department, Oregon State Police, Albany Police Department, FBI and the Oregon Department of Justice.