Police in Oregon are looking for a man who allegedly tortured a woman and warn that he is using dating apps to lure additional victims.
The man has so far evaded capture but he appears to be active on online dating services.
Benjamin Obadiah Foster, 36, is accused of attempted murder, kidnapping, and assault, according to a news release from Grants Pass police in southwest Oregon. Police found a female victim at her home on Tuesday who was tied, badly beaten, and unconscious. The victim was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.
Before police arrived, the man fled the scene, but he was recognized as Foster, as he had previously been found guilty in Nevada, less than two years before, of kidnapping another woman and holding her hostage for several weeks.
According to the Associated Press, Foster kept his ex-girlfriend hostage for two weeks in her Las Vegas residence in 2019 before traveling to Oregon.
The Las Vegas woman suffered seven fractured ribs, two black eyes, and bruises from being tied at the wrist and ankle with zip ties and duct tape.
The victim also informed authorities that she was choked until she lost consciousness and was forced to consume lye. She ultimately managed to get away from Foster while shopping.
Foster was accused of many offenses, including violence and assault, and if he had been found guilty, he would have faced a lengthy jail sentence. Foster, however, consented to a plea agreement in August 2021 that permitted him to admit guilt to both a misdemeanor count of battery involving domestic violence and one felony offense of battery.
He received a two-and-a-half-year sentence. He had to serve fewer than 200 days in state detention since the 729 days he spent in prison, while the trial was pending, was included in his sentence.
Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman said that he finds it incredibly problematic that Foster is presently wanted for attempted murder instead of being in jail for his prior offense.
The police warn that Foster “should be considered extremely dangerous.”