Suspected Online Predator Busted in Clackamas County

Intercept Task Force Arrest Medford Man In Clackamas County For Internet Crimes Involving Female Children‏

Kelly Ray Rasmussen of Medford as he is taken into custody by members of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Photo courtesy: Jim Strovink/Clackamas Sheriff

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Police in Clackamas County have arrested a Medford man who they believe is an Online predator. Intercept Task Force Investigators identified 42-year old Kelly Ray Rasmussen of Medford, Oregon as a suspect in several investigations. He was taken into custody Tuesday at 2:00 PM at an unidentified location within Clackamas County.

Detective Jim Strovink, spokesman for the Clackamas Sheriff, says Rasmussen is known to have traveled to Portland, on Monday, and stayed at a downtown Portland hotel. At the time of his arrest, Rasmussen was operating a rented automobile described as a 2008, Chevrolet, Cobalt, 4-door, white in color, with Oregon plates.

Rasmussen's arrest led to law enforcement authorities executing search warrants Tuesday afternoon, seeking items of evidentiary value from Rasmussen, the rented automobile, the Rasmussen residence in Medford, and his place of lodging here in Portland.

Strovink said, "Intercept investigators believe Rasmussen first began in July, 2008, communicating online with a 13-year-old, female child. And, in September, began communicating online with an 11-year-old, female child."

Rasmussen is believed to have initiated substantial criminal steps during his efforts to meet with an 11-year-old female victim that he met Online Monday, in Clackamas County. Strovink says Rasmussen was eventually arrested by Intercept investigators while he was poised to meet with his 13-year-old female victim Tuesday afternoon, in Clackamas County.

Rasmussen reportedly owns and operate a travel business in the Medford area, and was allegedly in Portland, conducting business when the Intercept arrest occurred. As a result of this extensive investigative effort and arrest, Rasmussen has been lodged in the Clackamas County Sheriff's Jail, charged with 2 counts of Online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree, 5 counts of Online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree, and 2 counts of Luring a minor.

Strovink says all these listed charges are felonies; with a bail amount totaling $150,000. It is anticipated Rasmussen will appear for arraignment on this matter today at 3:00 PM in the Clackamas County Circuit Court, in Oregon City.

The attached photo images feature the arrest of Rasmussen, who is being taken into custody by Clackamas County Sheriff's Sgt Ed Mura and Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Intercept Detective Erin Schweitzer.

Anyone with information about Rasmussen and this ongoing criminal investigation is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, confidential Tip Line at 503-723-4949.