Man Missing Since Friday Found Safe, Then Placed in Handcuffs

A Springfield man missing since Friday has been found safe near Donaca Lake in east Linn County.

Michael Lee Walter of Springfield, Oregon Photo courtesy: Linn County Sheriff

(ALBANY) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says search teams located 36-year-old Michael Lee Walter, who was reported missing Saturday afternoon by his family during a camping trip in a remote area approximately 60 miles east of Sweet Home.

The last time Walter had been seen by his family was approximately 6:00 PM Friday. Family members initially attempted to locate him themselves, but were unsuccessful.

A Linn County Sheriff's Office dispatcher located Walter on a road near the search area at approximately 8:15 AM Monday morning.

He is in good health and has suffered only minor scratches and abrasions Mueller said. The dispatcher was on her way to the incident command center to assist with communications.

Upon his rescue, Walter was taken into custody and was transported to the Linn County Jail in Albany for several outstanding warrants from Lane County Circuit Court.

Police say the warrants are for Failure to Appear on Unlawful Possession of a Firearm with a Silencer, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Altering ID Marks on a Firearm, and DUII.

For the past two days, deputies and members of the Linn County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Post have searched the area where Walter was last seen.

An Army National Guard helicopter from the 1042nd Air Ambulance unit in Salem and two fixed wing aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol also assisted in the search effort.