Lt. James McLaughlin faces termination after independent investigation finds incidents of dishonesty and misconduct
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An independent investigation into Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Lt. James McLaughlin has uncovered allegations of untruthfulness, failure to report a citizen complaint and failure to share video evidence with command staff. McLaughlin was placed on administrative leave on June 5, 2026, following complaints regarding misconduct during and after a SWAT operation.
Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert hired independent investigator Jim Band on May 29, 2026, to conduct an internal affairs investigation into actions taken by sheriff's office employees toward Paul Akehurst and his family.
The inquiry focused on a Feb. 25, 2026, search warrant executed at the home of Kelli Hayes, where home Ring camera footage captured McLaughlin and a subordinate deputy discussing the home owner and target in a disparaging manner.
The sustained findings stemmed from a SWAT search warrant executed on Feb. 25, 2026, at the home of Hayes to arrest Paul Akehurst. During the operation, a video recording from Hayes' Ring camera captured a patrol deputy and Lt. McLaughlin making disparaging remarks on the front porch. In the recording, a DCSO deputy expressed a desire to pursue additional charges. “I kinda want to add a burg one charge to him and then get her for false reporting,” the deputy said. McLaughlin, who was the commanding officer on scene, responded, “Your vindicticism knows no bounds ... I love it.”
When questioned by investigator Band about the video, McLaughlin described his comments as a poor choice of words rather than an endorsement of misconduct. “Deputy is there and he says, man... and I don't know if he talked to her in person or on the phone. That's unclear to me. He said, "Man, she is a real b***h." And I chuckled and I went, really ... okay... I think that we can get her for aiding and abetting or hindering... I'm thinking about having the charges of burglary. And I laugh and chuckle. And I said, "Man, I love the vindictiveness." Poor choice of words, "But I love the vindictiveness. It knows no bounds." Or, "It knows no bounds. I love it,"” McLaughlin said. He stated that he intended the comment as hyperbole and a coaching opportunity based on his leadership style.
Despite receiving the Ring video and text messages detailing concerns from Hayes on March 1, 2026, McLaughlin did not disclose to his supervisors that he was personally featured in the recording or that complaints were directed at him.
Command staff only learned of the recording on April 22, 2026, when Hayes and Lorena Akehurst filed a secondary formal complaint with a lieutenant at the Deschutes County Adult Jail. Hayes told investigators she made her concerns clear during early communications with McLaughlin.
“I would probably say both because I felt very clearly that he was unaware of some things. And I felt like I needed to build background for him because I learned that he was the leader and then I felt like he didn't lead in a way that seemed like the leader. He seemed unaware of what was true and what had happened... I complained hardcore. I mean, right away we talked about the vindictiveness comment. And he goes, "Did I say that?" And I said, "Yeah." And he goes, "That's not a good look." And I said, "No, it's not,"” Hayes said. She added, “That was never said. And I don't know that I would've had the language in that first phone call to say, "Hello, James. I'd like to file a complaint." I didn't even know that process because I've never filed a complaint before... And I was 1000% complaining about him.”
Investigator Band found that McLaughlin omitted material facts when discussing the citizen complaint with command staff on March 5, 2026. DCSO Sgt. Jason Wall told the investigator that McLaughlin only framed the issue as an issue with a subordinate deputy's language. “Negative, negative. No. 1 time. No. 1 time. The statement was Deputy was running his mouth in front of a Ring camera and it's just Deputy, he used his name... just running his mouth again like we all know runs his mouth,” Wall said. Band's report also highlighted computer and mobile phone forensic data showing McLaughlin created a backdated memorandum on April 6, 2026 and saved the Ring video to his phone's photo folder one minute later, contradicting claims that he had not reviewed the recording.
The investigation also evaluated allegations regarding inmate threats to release the video while Paul Akehurst was held at the county jail in April 2026. DCSO Corrections Deputy Jesse Hurley recalled discussing the matter with McLaughlin at the time. “But he said something to the effect of, "Well, I'm not going to let this guy basically dictate our jobs just because he says he has some video on us. That doesn't matter to me. What matters is tell him to calm down and if he's going to be a problem for you guys, we're not going to come talk to you just because you say you have some ammunition against us,"” Hurley said.
A DCSO detective involved in the case noted that obtaining inmate cooperation took priority over the footage. “Well, I don't care about that. I want him to be quiet so he can work... The major concern was him shutting his mouth so he could work so we could get to then go get the extradition warrant,” the detective said. Band found allegations that McLaughlin collaborated to coerce Akehurst into trading the video to be unsubstantiated.
Following the completion of the internal investigation, the DCSO command team affirmed the sustained findings of untruthfulness, insubordination and official misconduct. Based on mandatory state disciplinary guidelines for untruthfulness, command staff recommended that Rupert terminate McLaughlin's employment.
Additional allegations of untruthfulness discovered during the inquiry were formally noticed on Sept. 3, 2026 and remain under investigation by Band.
Below are additional documents KTVZ News has received through a Freedom of Information Act Request through the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Deschutes County Attorney's Office.
