Oregon man arrested in York County on drug, child abuse charges

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — An Oregon man was arrested Saturday after he was pulled over in York County.

Just after 1:30 a.m., a deputy with the York County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 80 near the Sandy Meadows Golf Course.

During the traffic stop, a DUI test revealed that the driver — 39-year-old Jason Smith of Camas Valley, Oregon — was under the influence.

It was determined that Smith was on drugs, and a K9 sniffed out over an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The deputy also found a child in the vehicle who was unrestrained and lying on the rear passenger floorboard, the sheriff’s office said.

According to authorities, the deputies were concerned about the child’s health and well-being due to evidence of neglect.

The sheriff’s office said the child’s medical condition was non-life-threatening, but it was apparent he had been a victim of abuse.

The child was treated at York General Hospital and placed with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Additionally, two dogs were found in the back seat, both with severe flea infestations.

The dogs were taken to York Adopt-a-Pet and are being evaluated by a veterinarian.

Smith was lodged in the York County Jail on suspicion of child abuse, DUI, DUI with a minor in the vehicle, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charges related to the treatment of the dogs are pending the outcome of the vet examination.