On September 9 at 5:02 p.m., a Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit was out working patrols focused on parks and noticed frequent short-stay traffic at MLK Park, 1000 block of Grant. Short-stay traffic can be an indicator of drug or illicit activity.
SCU officer spotted a man later identified as John Howard Carlson, age 46, engaged in hand-to-hand transactions. One customer was Anthony Lee Barnack, age 30. Carlson began to leave the area and SCU officers contacted him just west on 9th Avenue. He was verbally hostile, but otherwise taken into custody without incident. While Carlson was being contacted, a couple of other SCU officers contacted Barnack, who was still in possession of the methamphetamine. He had a warrant and was transported to Lane County Jail.
SCU K9 Officer Joe Kidd and Jack arrived and Jack did a sniff in the air of Carlson’s bag, alerting on narcotics, which turned out to be a half pound of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. Carlson was transported to Lane County Jail on charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Delivery of Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine, and a warrant.
Case 21-14104
Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit
The SCU has been focusing on prolific offenders, who are identified through intelligence-based policing, public tips and other sources. They have been proactively responding across the city to quality of life issues as they arise, using all available resources and partners such as community groups, neighborhood associations and city services. SCU is dedicated to targeting immediate and acute community safety system issues while working toward mission-critical enhancements that need to be addressed through a longer-term and broader community safety initiative. The unit currently consists of a lieutenant, a sergeant and eight officers.