Corvallis Man Convicted of 19 Counts of Sex Crimes

Corvallis Man Convicted of 19 Counts of Sex Crimes

CORVALLIS, Ore. – On July 16, 2024, a Benton County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Lawrence Lemaster Sr, 67, to 525 months prison time for sex crimes going back to 1990.

On May 17, 2024, a 12-person jury found Lemaster guilty of 21 offenses, including:

• Sodomy in the First Degree (x2)
• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (x15)
• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree (x2)

In April of 2021, detectives from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Corvallis Police Department investigated reports of sex abuse by a male victim, who alleged sex abuse by Lemaster when he was four years old. Another victim, a female, reported abuse when she was 10 to 12 years old. Both victims were known to him.

“We are relieved to announce the conviction of a sex offender, a critical step in an ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our Benton County community. The verdict reflects the tireless efforts of law enforcement and advocates who work diligently to protect our citizens,” stated Sheriff Van Arsdall. “We encourage victims to come forward and seek justice and know that we stand with them in their pursuit of safety and healing.”
BCSO would like to thank the Corvallis Police Department, the ABC House, and the Benton County District Attorney’s Office, for their assistance and prosecution of this case.