Armed Texas Fugitive Wanted for Child Sex Crimes Vanishes in Rural Oregon Wilderness

A Fugitive Hundreds of Miles From Home

A Texas man wanted on serious charges involving a child triggered a massive law enforcement response in one of Oregon's most remote corners — and as of Thursday, June 18, he remains at large. Authorities are searching southwest Oregon for Kenneth Leatherwood of Bastrop, Texas, accused of sex crimes involving a child, as well as stealing a car and weapons. The case has drawn a heavy police presence to the small community of Agness, deep in Curry County along the Rogue River — a rugged, heavily forested area that poses serious challenges for any search operation.

The situation began on June 16 at the Lucas Lodge in Agness, Oregon, where Leatherwood was reportedly staying. Lodge managers posted on Facebook that approximately 60 law enforcement officers arrived Tuesday night after a guest with Texas license plates apparently barricaded himself inside a cabin. He had arrived on Monday without a cellphone. By Tuesday morning, he reportedly said he was unable to start his truck because the vehicle's OnStar system had locked it. Law enforcement arrived a short time later. Leatherwood then fled — disappearing into the surrounding wilderness before officers could take him into custody.

Who Authorities Are Looking For

Kenneth Leatherwood is wanted for sex-related crimes involving a minor, as well as a stolen vehicle and reported stolen weapons. Authorities emphasized that Leatherwood is not on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list and is not wanted for murder charges. Still, law enforcement is treating the search with extreme caution given the nature of the allegations and the belief that he may be carrying weapons.

Leatherwood is described as a man in his late 30s, 5'10" and 200 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing an ivory t-shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots, and may have an Australian shepherd mix dog with him. That detail — the dog — could prove significant, as it gives searchers an additional visual identifier in an area where foot traffic is sparse and strangers stand out.

A Remote Search With Real Dangers

The Curry County Sheriff's Office is working closely with Oregon State Police on the search. The Agness area sits along the wild and scenic Rogue River corridor, accessible primarily by boat or a single winding road — a geography that can either trap a fugitive or provide near-endless hiding terrain, depending on the circumstances. The sheer scale of the initial response, with dozens of officers descending on a rural lodge, speaks to how seriously authorities are taking the threat.

The sheriff's office is urging the public not to approach or attempt to contact Leatherwood. Anyone who sees him is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 541-247-3242 option 9, or call 911 if the situation is an emergency. Residents in the area should be on alert — not just in Agness, but along any nearby rural routes Leatherwood could use to move on foot.

What Comes Next

The fact that Leatherwood traveled from Bastrop, Texas — roughly 2,000 miles away — to a remote Oregon lodge without a cellphone raises obvious questions about intent. Whether he was attempting to disappear off the grid or simply passing through remains unclear. What is clear is that he arrived knowing he was wanted, and fled the moment his vehicle was immobilized.

The coming days will test both the endurance of searchers and the limits of the rugged terrain. With no cellphone and potentially armed, Leatherwood presents a complex challenge for law enforcement. As the manhunt continues, authorities are counting on the public's eyes to be their greatest asset — and urging anyone with information to call rather than confront.