PORTLAND, Ore. (May. 28, 2026) — A Salem man has been charged in federal court with kidnapping and attempted abusive sexual contact after allegedly abducting two campers along a public hiking trail on the Oregon Coast nearly two years ago, authorities said Thursday.
Gene Arnold McLenithan, 58, of Salem, was charged by criminal complaint in connection with the July 4, 2024, incident in Tillamook County, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Court documents allege McLenithan kidnapped two victims around midnight while they were camping near a public hiking trail. Prosecutors said he bound the victims, covered their eyes and held them for a period of time before allegedly telling them he planned to sexually assault them.
Authorities said the victims did not know McLenithan prior to the encounter.
McLenithan made his first appearance in federal court Thursday before a U.S. magistrate judge. The judge ordered him detained pending further court proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the charges.
The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat is prosecuting the case.
All suspects believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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