HILLSBORO, Ore- On October 30, 2024, a Washington County jury found Charles Ralph Tewee guilty of assault in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to 70 months in prison by Judge Erik Buchér. Deputy District Attorneys Alicia Gerten and Trinity Hatch prosecuted this case. 

On March 12, 2024, Tigard police were dispatched to the intersection of SW Pacific Highway and SW 72nd Avenue after they got a report of two men fighting in the street. When they arrived, officers found the victim lying on the sidewalk. He was bleeding profusely from multiple stab wounds. Officers also found a large kitchen knife in the street near the victim. Several witnesses reported they saw the victim retreating away from the defendant as Mr. Tewee followed him with a knife. The victim was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and survived the incident.

The defendant was found a short time later walking down the street. He had cuts on his fingers. The defendant claimed he was acting in self-defense but told officers this was not the first time he had to use a knife on someone. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the actions of witnesses who alerted police. This office also thanks the Tigard Police Department for its swift response. 

Mr. Tewee will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 4, 2024, Judge Kathleen Proctor sentenced Maxwell Alexander Floyd, age 30, to four years in prison and ordered he register as a sex offender. This sentence comes after the defendant pleaded guilty to attempted sexual abuse in the first degree, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and luring a minor. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted this case.

In January of 2022, officials with the Clackamas Children’s Center alerted law enforcement about a possible case of child sexual abuse. The teenage victim reported that the defendant had abused her multiple times. She told investigators with the Tigard Police Department that Mr. Floyd would provide her with alcohol before abusing her. She also reported lewd and inappropriate text messages sent to her by the defendant. 

Investigators confronted Mr. Floyd with these allegations. He denied some of the details provided by the victim but did admit he gave her alcohol, sent her inappropriate messages, and acknowledged other grooming behaviors detailed by the victim. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Tigard Police Department, the Clackamas Children’s Center, and the Oregon Department of Human Services for their work on this case. This office also commends the victim for the bravery shown in reporting the defendant. 

Mr. Floyd will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On October 3, 2024, Michael Ma, age 40, was sentenced to 500 months in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Erik Buchér. This sentence comes after a jury convicted the defendant of three counts of rape in the first degree, three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree, and one count of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree. Deputy District Attorney Jason Weiner prosecuted the case against the defendant.

The defendant sexually abused the minor victim over the course of multiple years. In January of 2023, the victim disclosed the abuse to a family member and a school counselor. Both parties reported the abuse to the Oregon Department of Human Services. Beaverton police and medical experts from CARES Northwest interviewed the victim and she provided additional details of the abuse. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for the bravery shown in reporting this abuse. This office also acknowledges the work of the Beaverton Police Department and CARES Northwest. 

Mr. Ma will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 17, 2024, David Garcia, age 34, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, aggravated theft in the first degree, possession of a forged instrument in the first degree, forgery in the first degree, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was later sentenced to 70 months in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Hafez Daraee. Deputy District Attorney Christina Luedtke prosecuted the defendant.

In August of 2022, the defendant and three acquaintances began cashing forged checks from the business account of a family farm located in Cornelius, Oregon. Total losses reached nearly $29,000. The Washington County Sheriff's Office was alerted. A detective obtained a search warrant for bank records, copies of all checks used, suspect identifications, and video of the fraudulent transactions and was able to identify the defendant as a suspect. He determined Mr. Garcia stole more than $10,000 over the course of these transactions.

In February of 2023, the defendant also engaged in a similar scheme involving a restaurant in Washington County. He and three accomplices cashed fraudulent checks issued to themselves on behalf of the restaurant. They stole more than $10,000 in total with Mr. Garcia responsible for more than $2,000 in fraudulent transactions. 

In December of 2023, an alert Hillsboro police officer spotted a stolen vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Mr. Garcia was in the passenger’s seat and admitted to stealing the car the previous night.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Hillsboro Police Department.

The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims, serve one year of post-prison supervision, and will have his driver’s license suspended. Mr. Garcia will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- Washington County, Oregon applied for and has been awarded $750,000 in grant funding to improve the County’s pre-trial release program. Issued by the United States Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, the award marks the culmination of a months-long effort by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Washington County, Oregon, the Washington County Circuit Court, and the Family Justice Center of Washington County. 

The three-year grant will serve to improve services and increase safety for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Washington County while the charged offenders of these crimes are out of custody awaiting trial. 

As a result of recent legislation, most defendants charged with these crimes are released into the community with legal restrictions that prohibit contact with the listed victims. Washington County currently lacks the systems to provide assurance to victims that violent offenders are subject to live electronic monitoring 24 hours a day by trained professionals. 

The grant will fund the implementation, centralization, and ongoing use of a 24/7 offender electronic monitoring system. The grant will also integrate the recent creation of an evidence-based risk assessment tool to assess the appropriate level of monitoring for each case of domestic violence across all 12 law enforcement agencies in Washington County.  Finally, the grant will fund the development of a county-wide training program on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Officials applied for this grant after forming a workgroup in response to a tragic 2022 double murder and suicide. The group identified flaws in the pre-trial release program and District Attorney Kevin Barton called on the circuit court to make needed changes. This grant will allow for the implementation of those suggestions. 

“This grant provides critical funding to help keep victims and the community safe,” said District Attorney Barton. “Ensuring defendants are appropriately assessed and monitored if released from jail is absolutely essential.”

Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill aided in the grant application process and is pleased the court now has the necessary resources to address problem areas.

“This is yet another excellent example of what we can do as Washington County community partners when we come together with the shared goal of improving how we function for the betterment of our entire community,” said Presiding Judge Guptill. 

The sheriff’s office will provide a project coordinator to implement needed changes and is a key partner in this effort.

“I am deeply grateful to our Washington County collaborative team and our federal partners for their generous support. This funding will empower us to implement vital safety measures, ensuring that those affected by domestic violence have the protection and resources they need to feel safe in our community,” added Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey.

The Family Justice Center of Washington County also works closely with survivors of domestic violence. Executive Director Rachel Schutz says this grant will help ensure those living in unsafe situations receive the help and support they need.

"The safety of survivors depends on offender accountability and a comprehensive coordinated response from both community-based and public safety partners,” said Executive Director Schutz. “I am deeply proud of this collaboration in prioritizing those two things in securing this grant to make Washington County safer, healthier, and more hopeful. This grant will save lives."

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The DA’s Office is working closely with law enforcement and community partners on a number of events throughout the month. Visit our website for additional information. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 3, 2024, Sain Delgado Venegas pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree with a firearm and two counts of attempted murder in the first degree with a firearm. In a separate case, the defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate.  The defendant was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. This life sentence will run consecutive to an additional eight-year prison sentence imposed in the possession of a weapon case. Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard and Deputy District Attorney Joel Petersen prosecuted this case.

On April 1, 2023, the defendant entered Kim's Red Rose, a restaurant and bar in Hillsboro, Oregon, with three associates. A bartender asked to see their identification to confirm they were of legal drinking age. The men refused and were asked to leave the establishment. 

About an hour later, the group returned to the restaurant and sat in a different section. The same bartender spotted them again and alerted the manager, Isaura Soto-Gaona. The bartender and manager asked the group to leave once again. Three of the men exited the building but the defendant lingered near the doorway entry area. He then pulled a handgun and attempted to discharge it twice in the direction of the bartender and manager. The gun malfunctioned and did not fire. The defendant then racked the slide and fired a round directly at Ms. Soto-Gaona. The round struck her in the chest, and she died as a result of the gunshot wound despite lifesaving efforts performed by restaurant staff and responding officers. Surveillance cameras captured the incident. 

Hillsboro police later learned the defendant had recently been released from prison and met with his parole officer weeks prior to this shooting. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage captured by courthouse security cameras in which the defendant is seen wearing the same distinctive sweatshirt as he was the night of the shooting. 

While he was lodged in the Washington County Jail awaiting trial for murder, jail deputies found a makeshift weapon hidden in the defendant’s jail cell during a routine contraband search.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to extend condolences to the victim’s family and restaurant staff. This office also acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department on this case. 

The defendant will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.