Sex offender accused of luring girl, 14; police suspect more victims

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- A registered sex offender faces charges he had an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, and investigators are looking into the possiblity there could be other victims, Oregon State Police said.

Police arrested Derek Leon Ellwood, 43, Tuesday at the hotel in Garibaldi, Ore., where he works. Ellwood, who has been a registered sex offender in Oregon since a 1989 conviction for third degree rape, now faces charges of luring a minor and first degree online sexual corruption of a child.

Investigators believe Ellwood traveled to Douglas County, Ore., to carry on an illegal relationship with the girl. The investigation indicated he had also traveled to Deschutes and Klamath counties in recent months, and the lead detective on the case is looking into whether there could be other victims, state police said.

The criminal investigation began in November 2009 into allegations Ellwood had been having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old female, police said.  The investigation by OSP detectives out of the Roseburg Area Command office led to Tuesday's arrest on allegations that the inappropriate contact occurred in Douglas County.

Anyone with information on Ellwood is asked to contact OSP Detective Teresa Bowersox at (541) 440-3349.