Man, 51, Accused Of Kidnapping, Raping, Sexually And Physical Assaulting Woman In Gresham, Oregon -08/27/19

August 27, 2019

Man, 51, accused of kidnapping, raping, sexually and physical assaulting woman in Gresham, Oregon

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a grand jury returned an 11-count indictment against 51-year-old Themba Kelley for allegedly kidnapping, raping and sexually and physically assaulting a 43 year old woman.

At this time, law enforcement, including the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, is requesting assistance from the public in determining whether or not there are additional victims.

Kelley has used the alias of “Themba,” “Themba Kelly,” “Themba Spirit,” “Themba Spirit Kelly,” “Themba Hasaan Kelley,” Themba H. Kelley,” “Temba Spirit,” and “Spirit Themba.”

Based on information developed by law enforcement, Kelley has previously represented himself as a life coach for vulnerable community members, particularly those individuals who do not have a permanent residence.

The indictment charges Kelley with one count of kidnapping in the first degree, one count of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree, one count of robbery in the third degree and two counts of strangulation.

According to court documents, this investigation started on August 14, 2019 when Gresham Police responded to the 18300 block of Southeast Stark Street in Gresham, Oregon on reports that a female was being held captive and being sexually assaulted by an individual later identified as Kelley.  

During the investigation, detectives assigned to the Gresham Police Department learned that the victim met Kelley on August 13, 2019 at Laurelhurst Park in Portland, Oregon, according to court documents. Kelley identified himself as “Themba Spirit” to the victim, according to a probable cause affidavit. Kelley and the victim spent time together that afternoon while he helped the victim fix her vehicle. The victim told detectives that she went with Kelley to his motel room after he offered to let her shower and do laundry.

Once inside the motel room, Kelley immediately became aggressive and threatening towards the victim and started to assault her, court documents state. Over a period lasting more than an hour, Kelley used a firearm and physical force to rape the woman and to commit other sex crimes.

The victim struggled to get away but Kelley prevented her from leaving, court documents allege. During the struggle, Kelley broke the woman’s arm and strangled her, according to court documents.

Law enforcement learned that Kelley made several threats to shoot and kill the victim while she was being held captive, court documents allege.

At some point, the victim was able to contact friends by phone. According to court documents, those friends called 9-1-1.

The victim escaped the motel room and contacted police as they arrived on scene.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime. Kelley is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The victim in this case does not want media contact. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is requesting that media refrain from attempting to or actually contacting her.   

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Gresham Police Detective Tony Cobb at 503-618-2365 or via email at Anthony.Cobb@greshamoregon.gov.

#MCDA#

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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us