Texas man allegedly came to Oregon with the intention of sexually abusing Portland teenagers

Steven Worth Ellis was arrested Thursday in The Dalles and charged with traveling from Texas to Oregon with the intent to sexually abuse a child. June 6, 2024 (courtesy of Portland Police Bureau).

PORTLAND, Oregon (COIN) — A 60-year-old Texas man was arrested in Oregon on Thursday on suspicion of sexually abusing a child, local and federal authorities said.

Steven Worth Ellis of Presidio, Texas, traveled from his home to Oregon to allegedly meet a 15-year-old child he met online, the Justice Department said.

Ellis faces charges in federal court including traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, attempted sexual abuse of a child, and coercion and enticement of a minor.

The investigation began in late May and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including federal agents and the Portland Police Bureau’s Child Abuse Team. The PPB said the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received a tip that a Portland girl was in contact with the man and her communications included explicit images.

On Thursday, Ellis was intercepted and arrested by Oregon State Police troopers in The Dalles. Cooperating law enforcement agencies also included the Department of Homeland Security, The Dalles Police Department and U.S. Marshals.

The Justice Department said the investigation was initially launched following a tip from the Oregon Department of Human Services alleging that Ellis had sexual online conversations with the child after they met on Reddit. Ellis allegedly told the child he wanted to marry her and was coming to Oregon to “pick her up.”

Ellis appeared in federal court in Portland and will remain in custody “pending the outcome of the legal proceedings,” officials said.