Kidnapped 16-year-old Oregon girl found south of Tri-Cities
A 16-year-old Oregon girl was found Saturday with a man in Benton County after being “taken against her will,” said sheriff’s investigators.
An Oregon police agency contacted the sheriff’s office about the missing teen and believed she’d been taken to a home in a rural area of the Horse Heaven Hills in Benton County, officials said in a release and in court documents.
Deputies talked to some people at the home on Feb. 28 and found the teen.
After more investigation, they found and arrested Alec Lepe, 25, the next day.
He was booked into the Benton County jail on Sunday on suspicion of third-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment. Bail is set a $1 million.
More details about the case have yet to be released.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Randy Loyd at Randy.Loyd@co.benton.wa.us.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 3:57 PM.