Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. All calls for service may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. Individuals are identified in the log only if arrested on felony charges. Juveniles are not identified. People arrested or suspected of crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.
TUESDAY, JULY 23
• 6:45 p.m. — BCSO responded to a single-vehicle crash on Peterson Road south of Philomath. No injuries were reported. According to a report on the incident, a 2012 Dodge Challenger crashed into a ditch and was partially blocking the road. The car was towed to the owner’s property.
FRIDAY, JULY 26
• 5 p.m. — BCSO responded to a report of a kayaker, a 29-year-old Albany woman, and her 9-year-old son, who were not in distress but confused. The pair had floated the river from Bowman Park for approximately 30 to 40 minutes prior and had been under the impression that the river would loop them back around to Bowman Park.
SATURDAY, JULY 27
• 10:14 a.m. — BCSO responded to a situation on the Willamette River involving a 25-year-old Corvallis man who was sitting in a kayak while holding onto a branch. The man was given a courtesy ride to his vehicle at Michael’s Landing in Corvallis.
MONDAY, JULY 29
• 5:18 p.m. — BCSO arrested a 62-year-old Philomath man at a residence on North Eighth Street on a warrant out of Linn County Circuit Court and to seize a concealed carry license. The man was later issued a criminal citation in lieu of custody.
TUESDAY, JULY 30
• 8:38 a.m. — BCSO responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on Highway 20 about 3 miles west of Philomath involving a vehicle heading east that hit a deer. The driver, a 76-year-old Lebanon man, and a passenger were reportedly not injured. The vehicle had front-end damage and was not drivable. The deer was deceased on the side of the highway.
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OTHER NEWS
TUESDAY, JULY 16
• Lawrence Lemaster Sr., 67, of Corvallis, who was convicted May 17 by a jury on 19 counts of sex crimes that dated back to 1990, was sentenced to 43 years, 9 months in Benton County Circuit Court. Lemaster was found guilty on 15 charges of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of second-degree unlawful sexual penetration.
BCSO detectives and the Corvallis Police Department began an investigation in April 2021 when a male victim reported that sexual abuse had occurred when he was age 4. Another victim, a female, reported abuse occurred when she was 10 to 12 years old. Both victims were known to him.
“We are relieved to announce the conviction of a sex offender, a critical step in an ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our Benton County community,” Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall said through a news release. “The verdict reflects the tireless efforts of law enforcement and advocates who work diligently to protect our citizens. We encourage victims to come forward and seek justice and know that we stand with them in their pursuit of safety and healing.”
BCSO thanked Corvallis Police, the ABC House and the Benton County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and prosecution of the case.