Bend man accused of luring, abusing teen girl
A 27-year-old Bend man was arrested Thursday on numerous sex abuse-related counts, accused of luring and molesting a teenage Bend girl over the past several months, police said Friday.
Bend police officers and detectives began an investigation Thursday of a possible sex crime occurring in the 19000 block of Brass Drive, west of Brookswood Boulevard and south of Powers Road, said police Lt. Clint Burleigh.
Investigators determined Keegan John David Palmer had been luring and sexually abusing a female juvenile in Bend, Burleigh said. The officer said the “inappropriate relationship” began when the girl was 14, and she is now 15 years old.
Palmer, who was arrested Thursday without incident, “was known by the victim and the victim’s family,” Burleigh added.
The investigation revealed Palmer used messaging sites, online forums and in-person contacts to perpetuate his abuse of the teen, which occurred on various dates since last October, the lieutenant said.
Palmer was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on 83 initial charges: one count of first-degree sodomy, 28 counts of third-degree sodomy, 30 counts of third-degree rape, 17 counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse and seven counts of luring a minor for sexual contact, Burleigh said.
Palmer was being held on bail set at over $1 million, pending his first court appearance Friday afternoon. The initial charging document filed Friday morning by Deputy DA Brandi Shroyer lists a reduced set of 18 counts of rape, sodomy, luring a minor and encouraging child sexual abuse, all Class C felonies. A check of online court records finds no previous charges against Palmer in Oregon.
The investigation is continuing, Burleigh said, and anyone with additional information was asked to contact Bend police.
“The Bend Police Department would like to remind parents to be vigilant in checking their children’s computers, cellphones, social media sites and messaging apps to help prevent their children from becoming victims of online luring and sex abuse,” Burleigh said in a news release.
