Accused Texas Sex Offender Tracked Down on S. Oregon Coast After Week's Search

Published 06/23/26 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Gold Beach, Oregon) - Curry County officers arrested a Texas fugitive on the south Oregon coast authorities Sunday after a week-long search in the remote Agness area.

According to the Curry County Sheriff’s Office, two deputies, an Oregon State Police trooper and six U.S. Marshals located Kenneth Leatherwood at about 12:35 p.m. on June 23 in a heavily wooded campsite near Lucas Lodge. Leatherwood had eluded law enforcement since June 16, when deputies learned he was in the Agness area driving a stolen vehicle.

“After a long week of searching, Leatherwood was located and taken into custody without incident,” CCSO said.

Leatherwood was wanted in Texas on a felony warrant related to child sex crimes. He was taken into custody without incident.

Leatherwood’s dog was found in good shape and will be returned to Leatherwood’s family.

There was heavy police presence in that area of the south Oregon coast last week, alarming some residents and visitors to the area. CCSO was quick to point he was not wanted for anything related to murder and was not on any FBI list.

At the time, police said to not approach him and that he might've been armed and dangerous.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked the Oregon State Police, OSP’s SWAT team, the U.S. Marshals, and members of the Agness community for their cooperation and support throughout the search.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Exquisite Spring Break Hangouts on Oregon Coast with New Discoveries
The wows of Lincoln City and Cannon Beach, including the beginning of a ghost forest. Lincoln City hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel reviews, specials, Seaside hotel reviews. Shearwater Inn, Schooner's Cove, Wayside Inn, Pelican Shores Inn, Looking Glass Inn

'Old Oregon Coast' Feel Meets Modern Swank at Manzanita Charmer Hotel
Ocean Inn at Manzanita is woodsy yet bougie. Manzanita hotels, lodging reviews

Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - 363 Miles of Rentals
Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals, vacation rental reviews, hotel reviews, vacation rental news

Tawny Reviewed The Seashore Inn, Seaside
14 Jun 2026 at 12:12am
The room was nice and warm when we arrived. We stayed in a standard queen, and the view was incredible. I paid a little extra for the birthday package, and it was adorable. I wanted to surprise my boyfriend, and they set the room up in an outstanding way. It was such a lovely touch.

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted