Former NBA guard Ben McLemore was apprehended by U.S. Marshals on Tuesday and detained in Oregon, where he confronts sex crime accusations related to an incident in 2021 while he was with the Portland Trail Blazers.
McLemore, aged 31, hasn’t competed in the NBA since 2022, and had been actively playing in Spain recently.
He was apprehended at Portland International Airport due to an outstanding felony warrant, which includes charges of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, as confirmed by Lake Oswego, Oregon police.
In a statement Thursday, McLemore denied the allegations, saying,
“The truth will come to light. I am confident we will prevail and my name will be cleared.”
The charges are linked to a reported sexual assault in Lake Oswego on October 3, 2021, during McLemore’s tenure with the Trail Blazers.
Following the report, police initiated an investigation, ultimately identifying McLemore as a suspect.
Post his stint with the Trail Blazers, McLemore embarked on professional endeavors overseas, competing in China, Greece, and Spain, where his most recent game was with the Spanish team Rio Breogan against Palencia last Saturday.
Lake Oswego Police noted McLemore’s departure from Oregon amid the investigation caused delays, though detectives persisted in gathering evidence.
In February, a Clackamas County grand jury reviewed the case, hearing testimony from the woman alleging McLemore’s assault.
Subsequently, an indictment against McLemore was issued, along with an arrest warrant, as confirmed by police.
“We applaud the courage of the survivor to come forward and put herself through this arduous process, and we will continue to support her in any way we can,” the police added.
McLemore stated that he and his legal team “fully cooperated with the investigation” and expressed dissatisfaction at not being afforded the chance to testify before the grand jury.
Following his arrest on Tuesday, McLemore was processed at the Multnomah County Detention Center at 12:58 p.m. PT before transfer to Clackamas County Jail, according to a spokesperson from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
His arraignment took place Wednesday afternoon at Clackamas County Circuit Court.
By Wednesday evening, jail records indicated McLemore’s release. His bail was established at $500,000, requiring a $50,000 bond for release.
His upcoming court appearance is slated for 10 a.m. PT on July 1 in Oregon.
McLemore, the seventh pick in the 2013 draft from Kansas, enjoyed a nine-season NBA career across five teams.
