Man skips trial, found in Oregon forest

BASTROP COUNTY

A Georgetown man who failed to appear for a Bastrop County trial on child sexual assault charges was arrested by U.S. Marshals in a remote Oregon forest last week, officials said.

Kenneth Leatherwood, 41, was taken into custody without incident June 23 near Agness, Oregon, in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, according to reports. He had been scheduled to appear June 15 in the 335th District Court on two counts of continuous sexual assault of a child and three counts of indecency with a child — all felony offenses.

After Leatherwood failed to appear, investigators determined he had been working in the Roswell, New Mexico area.

Authorities said he stole a vehicle from his employer, which was recovered June 16 near Agness. A search of a cabin in the forest turned up a firearm, a survival book and personal belongings.

Leatherwood is accused of committing sexual acts against two children under the age of 17, including one under 14, on multiple occasions between October 2016 and October 2020.

He awaits extradition to Texas.