Fugitive in Oregon Teen Sex Abuse Case Arrested in Indiana

America's Most Wanted Reports that the 43-year-old man was wanted for some of the "most heinous sex crimes on record in the jurisdiction.

43-year old Michael Dwayne Lemasters Courtesy: America's Most Wanted

(NEWBERG, Ore.) - Investigators in Yamhill County say a former Newberg resident sought for over 45 counts relating to the sexual abuse of young women has been arrested in Indiana.

43-year old Michael Dwayne Lemasters reportedly fled the state in October 2008, shortly before warrants for his arrest were issued. LeMasters was sought in Yamhill, Washington and Clackamas county, with security set at $2,523,000.

Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree said LeMasters was arrested at a highway weigh station in rural Jackson County Indiana when the semi-truck in which he was a passenger was stopped by local authorities. He was taken into custody without incident.

Crabtree says he utilized the television show "America's Most Wanted" in his efforts to capture LeMasters.

"Following the posting by America's Most Wanted on February 11th, we received multiple tips pertaining to LeMasters whereabouts" Crabtree said.

"A very credible sighting placed him in central Florida where he may have been working in a car wash. We enlisted the aid of a local fugitive task force who followed up on the lead. Unfortunately, LeMasters may have become aware of his listing on the show, and again disappeared prior to his apprehension".

America's Most Wanted reports that "some of LeMasters' alleged young victims blew the whistle on him during a church event. However, before cops could cuff the suspected sex offender, he had fled his Newberg, Oregon home."

They also say the 43-year-old man was wanted for some of the "most heinous sex crimes on record in the jurisdiction".

LeMasters is charged with first-degree Sexual Abuse, first-degree Sodomy, fourth-degree Felony Assault, first-degree Criminal Mistreatment, first-degree Attempted Sexual Abuse, and Invasion of Personal Privacy.

The offenses charged are believed to have occurred over a 14 year period, Captain Ken Summers with the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office said.