Ex-Trail Blazer Ben McLemore faces rape charge, other counts

Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Tuesday and jailed in Oregon, the place he faces intercourse crime prices stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted a girl in 2021 when he was taking part in for the Portland Path Blazers.

McLemore, 31, hasn’t performed within the NBA since 2022, and he was in latest days taking part in professionally in Spain. He was arrested at Portland Worldwide Airport on an impressive felony warrant for one cost of first-degree rape, one cost of first-degree illegal sexual penetration and two prices of second-degree sexual abuse, in line with police from Lake Oswego, Oregon.

The costs stem from a report of sexual assault in Lake Oswego on Oct. 3, 2021, when McLemore was taking part in for the Path Blazers. Police started investigating, and McLemore was recognized as a suspect.

After taking part in for the Path Blazers, McLemore started competing abroad for skilled groups in China, Greece and Spain, the place he final performed with the Spanish group Rio Breogan on Saturday in opposition to Palencia.

Lake Oswego Police mentioned McLemore’s departure from Oregon through the investigation led to delays, although detectives continued to assemble proof.

In February, a Clackamas County grand jury heard proof within the case, together with testimony from the lady who mentioned McLemore assaulted her, and issued an indictment in opposition to McLemore in addition to an arrest warrant, police mentioned.

“We applaud the braveness of the survivor to return ahead and put herself by way of this arduous course of, and we’ll proceed to help her in any manner we are able to,” the police added.

McLemore was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Middle at 12:58 p.m. PT Tuesday earlier than being moved to Clackamas County Jail, in line with a spokesperson for the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Workplace.

McLemore was arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Clackamas County Circuit Court docket.

By Wednesday night, jail logs confirmed that McLemore had been launched. His bail was set at $500,000, with McLemore being required to publish $50,000.

McLemore’s lawyer and representatives did not instantly reply to requests for remark.

His subsequent court docket listening to is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT on July 1 in Oregon.

McLemore was the seventh decide within the 2013 draft out of Kansas and performed for 5 groups throughout 9 NBA seasons.