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News Release
Luring a Minor For Sexual Conduct - 06/12/21

Incident: Luring a Minor for Sexual Conduct 

Case Number: 2021-00027377  

Date and Time: 06/12/2021 at 1345 

Location: NE 9th Street/NE Lafayette Avenue Bend, OR 

Suspect: Elijah Maurice Ledford             25 year old                Bend resident 

On June 12th, 2021 a Bend Police Officer identified Elijah Ledford as someone trying to contact a person he believed to be a 14 year old female. The contact happened through a social media app and the conversation was between Ledford and a Bend Police Officer, who Ledford believed to be a 14 year old female. During the conversation, Ledford had a conversation that was sexual in nature and agreed to bring cannabis to a meeting on June 12th, 2021. Ledford also sent sexually explicit pictures through the social media account to the officer. 

Bend Police Officers located Ledford near the arranged meeting location, but Ledford fled on foot and was apprehended near the intersection of NE 9th Street and NE Lafayette Avenue . Ledford was taken into custody with the assistance of a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Deputy. 

During this investigation, Ledford was found to be in possession of user amounts of a Schedule II controlled substance and cannabis. Ledford was taken into custody and transported to the Deschutes County Adult Jail, where he was lodged on the following charges: 

Luring a Minor for Sexual Conduct - ORS 167.057 

Solicitation - ORS 161.435 (b) 

Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree – ORS 167.057 

Delivery of Marijuana to a Minor – ORS 475B.346 

Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1000’ of a school – ORS 475.904 

Probation Violation 

 

This investigation is a reminder that social media platforms are used regularly for adults to try and connect with under aged individuals. Regular observation of juvenile’s social media accounts is advised to minimize the likelihood of unwanted contacts from adults. 

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