NBA Veteran Ben McLemore Arrested on Sex Crime Charges in Oregon

Former NBA guard Ben McLemore finds himself in legal turmoil after being apprehended by U.S. Marshals on Tuesday in Oregon. 

McLemore, 31, faces serious sex crime charges related to allegations of sexual assault against a woman back in 2021 during his stint with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The arrest occurred at the Portland International Airport, where Ben McLemore was taken into custody on an outstanding felony warrant. 

The charges against him include one count of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, as disclosed by the Lake Oswego Police Department.

These charges trace back to an incident reported on October 3, 2021, while Ben McLemore was affiliated with the Trail Blazers. 

Despite transitioning to professional teams in China, Greece, and Spain after his time with the Blazers, Ben McLemore remained under the radar of authorities. 

However, his departure from Oregon during the investigation did cause some delays in the process, as acknowledged by Lake Oswego Police.

A significant development in the case occurred in February, when a Clackamas County grand jury reviewed evidence, including testimony from the alleged victim. 

This resulted in an indictment against McLemore and an ensuing arrest warrant.

Authorities expressed their appreciation for the bravery of the survivor in stepping forward amidst the challenges of the legal process.

Ben McLemore was subsequently booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center before being transferred to the Clackamas County Jail. 

Ben McLemore Posts $50,000 Bail After Arraignment

His arraignment took place the following afternoon in Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Despite initially being held on $500,000 bail, McLemore was eventually released after posting $50,000.

 Requests for comments from McLemore’s legal team and representatives remained unanswered at the time of reporting.

His next court appearance is scheduled for July 1, 10 a.m. PT in Oregon. McLemore, who was selected as the seventh pick in the 2013 NBA draft out of Kansas, had a career spanning nine seasons with five different teams.