Portis was convicted of first-degree rape in 1982 in Josephine County, at which time he was required to register as a sex offender. As a registered sex offender, Portis is required by law to report his new address within 10 days of moving or within 10 days of his birthday. The last time Portis had registered was November 2003, when he gave a Grants Pass address. When Medford Police contacted Portis in May 2004, he was out of compliance for registering as a sex offender and he was charged. When he failed to appear in court, a statewide felony warrant was issued for his arrest.

Portis has a criminal history that dates back to 1956 in the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Alaska. Portis was incarcerated twice in 1995 and once in 2003 at the Oregon State Penitentiary. His last release date was in December 2003.

Portis is described as a white male adult, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds with brown eyes and gray hair. Portis has multiple scars but no known tattoos. The picture shown here, taken July 2003, is the most recent image available.

Portis may be traveling between Oregon, California and Arizona. If you see Benjamin Hall Portis or have any information of his whereabouts, please call Crime Stoppers of Southern Oregon at (800)3- DETECT (800-333-8328) and refer to case No. MT-82.

Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in these cases or any unsolved criminal activity. Callers can remain anonymous. The reward is sponsored by Sonitrol of Southern Oregon.