An Oregon man has been arrested for allegedly committing a series of sexual offenses against a teenage girl he met online. Seth Michael Winkelhake, 40, was taken into custody on Tuesday following a tip that revealed years of abuse he inflicted on the girl, who was just 13 when their interactions began.
According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Winkelhake, who used the alias "Jeff," met the girl online in 2018. He misled her about his age, which led to a troubling relationship. After the girl sent him explicit photos, he reportedly used these images to blackmail her, forcing her to engage in sexual encounters over a four-year period.
The abuse escalated when the girl turned 16, and Winkelhake arranged to meet her in person. He arrived at their meeting spot in Oak Grove wearing a ski mask. Reports indicate that he blindfolded her before taking her to various parks where he allegedly assaulted her, despite her attempts to resist.
Authorities believe that Winkelhake may have more victims. He is suspected of using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as anonymous chat rooms, to find young girls. He often adopted different fake names, including "Don Jon" and "Marc," to lure his targets.
Winkelhake has been charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, and luring a minor. He is currently being held without bail at the Clackamas County Jail.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with additional information about Winkelhake or potential other victims to reach out to the sheriff’s office. They can be contacted via a tip line or an online submission form.
