PORTLAND, Ore.— Gene Arnold McLenithan, 58, of Salem, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with kidnapping and attempted abusive sexual contact in Tillamook County.
According to court documents and statements made in court, McLenithan allegedly kidnapped the two victims around midnight on July 4, 2024, camping along a public hiking trail in Tillamook County. McLenithan bound the victims, covered their eyes, and, after a period of time passed, told victims he had planned to sexually assault them.
Prior to the assault, the victims did not know McLenithan.
McLenithan made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat is prosecuting the case.
If you have any reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim or have additional information about other potential crimes involving McLenithan, please contact the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.