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Man accused of cutting tent, kidnapping two women camping near public trail

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Published  May 29, 2026 12:12 PM CDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX Local
article

FILE - A tent at a campsite in Oregon (Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Two women were camping along a public trail in Oregon when a man cut open their tent, kidnapped them and threatened to sexually assault them.
    • The suspect, 58-year-old Gene Arnold McLenithan of Salem, Oregon, is a convicted sex offender with a history of assaulting women.
    • Prosecutors believe there could be other victims.

An Oregon sex offender is facing federal charges after reportedly kidnapping two women from their tent, tying them up and threatening to sexually assault them. 

According to federal prosecutors, it happened in Tillamook County, Oregon, and investigators believe there may be other victims. 

Suspect bound victims, covered their eyes

What we know:

Federal prosecutors in Oregon said the two women were camping along a public hiking trail around midnight on July 4, 2024, when Gene Arnold McLenithan, 58, of Salem, Oregon, cut open their tent and kidnapped them. 

McLenithan, who didn’t know the victims, allegedly tied them up, covered their eyes and eventually told the women he planned to sexually assault them. 

According to The Oregonian, he told the women he had a bag of razor-sharp knives and said "it’s not worth" their lives after he threatened to assault them. 

RELATED: 85-year-old hailed as hero after foiling alleged kidnapping attempt, suspect arrested

What we don't know:

It’s unclear whether any sort of sexual assault took place, or why it took so long for McLenithan to be arrested and charged. Prosecutors also haven’t said why they believe there could be other victims. Court records in McLenithan’s current criminal case are sealed, which means police reports and other details are hidden from public view. 

What's next:

McLenithan has been charged with kidnapping and attempted abusive sexual contact. He’s being held without bond pending further court appearances. If convicted, prosecutors say he could get a maximum life sentence for kidnapping and up to 10 years in prison for attempted abusive sexual contact. 

READ MORE: Rafter vanishes in Oregon wilderness, survives five-day ordeal before helicopter rescue

Criminal history

The backstory:

McLenitahan was arrested in connection with a series of sexual assaults in Tillamook County, Oregon, before being arrested again in 1999 for forcing his way into a home and sexually assaulting a woman, The Oregonian reported. He pleaded guilty and was convicted of two counts of sodomy and burglary. 

What you can do:

Anyone with information on McLenithan is asked to call the FBI at 503-224-4181 or submit a tip online. 

The Source: This report includes information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Oregon and The Oregonian.

Crime and Public SafetyOregon