GRANTS PASS, Ore. (Nov 21, 2025) — A 50-year-old Medford man was arrested Thursday evening after allegedly traveling to Grants Pass to have sex with a 13-year-old boy he had contacted online, police said.
Brian Lee Ellis was taken into custody around 8 p.m. when he arrived at the location where he expected to meet the child, according to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety. He was booked into the Josephine County Jail on a felony charge of online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree.
Under Oregon law, online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree is a Class B felony that applies when an adult uses the internet, text messages or other online communication to solicit a child under 16 for sexual contact and either travels to meet the child or sends sexually explicit material as part of the grooming process.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and requires sex-offender registration upon conviction. An actual child victim is not required for prosecution; the crime is complete when the suspect solicits the minor online and takes a substantial step toward physical contact.
Investigators said evidence recovered during the case suggests Ellis may have additional victims in Oregon and possibly Colorado. Authorities released Ellis’ booking photo and asked anyone with information about other potential crimes involving the suspect to contact Grants Pass police detectives at 541-450-6260.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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