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. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 17, 2024, Patricia Celeste Pamatz-Pineda pleaded guilty to attempted assault in the first degree with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. The defendant was sentenced to five years in prison. Judge Oscar Garcia also ordered the firearm used in the case to be confiscated and destroyed and imposed three years of post-prison supervision. Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard and Deputy District Attorney Joel Petersen prosecuted this case. 

On August 9, 2023, Hillsboro police responded to a report of a shooting near SE 12th Avenue and SE Chance Lane. The caller reported a woman, later identified as the defendant, had a handgun and fired towards a man and woman. Officers canvassed the area and found the defendant running from the shooting location. They detained the defendant and found a loaded handgun in her pants. While in custody, she became irate and told police that she, "…saw someone [she] didn't like and shot at them." Investigators also found surveillance camera footage depicting the shooting. Further investigation revealed that the defendant and the man she shot at were previously intimate partners.

The Washington County District Attorney's Office acknowledges the work of responding officers from the Hillsboro Police Department in quickly apprehending the defendant and securing her firearm.

Ms. Pamatz-Pineda will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving her sentence.

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 4, 2024, Richard Dale Warren, age 69, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. On September 10, 2024, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Brandon Thompson sentenced the defendant to a total of 20 years in prison and ordered he serve post-prison supervision for a period of ten years. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted this case.

In March of 2022, the Washington County Sheriff's Office received a report of sexual abuse committed by the defendant. The victim reported the defendant sexually assaulted her multiple times over a one-year period. Mr. Warren threatened to rape and kill her loved ones if she ever told anyone about his actions. Despite these threats, the victim summoned the courage to confide in a family member who then alerted law enforcement. 

During this investigation, detectives learned Mr. Warren has also abused other victims in other states, beginning in the 1980s. The defendant told a family member he was considering murdering one of his prior victims to prevent her from reporting the abuse. That victim, now in her 50’s, confirmed the past abuse to police. She never disclosed the abuse out of fear. When detectives spoke to Mr. Warren, he admitted to historic abuse of multiple victims. He told investigators that he periodically harassed and taunted one victim by sending her sexually explicit photos and messages reminding her of his abuse. He also bragged to her that he would never be held accountable for his actions and told police he had moved to Oregon to avoid arrest.

“Sexually abusing these girls wasn’t enough for him. He took pleasure in inflicting fear and pain both during the abuse and for years after,” DDA Meisel said.  

At sentencing, the victim’s mother read a statement prepared by the child victim. In it, she told the defendant that she would not be defined by his actions. She emphasized that through work with her trauma therapist, she has found a way to survive and will go on to graduate high school and college and live happily, despite what he did to her. 

Authorities have reason to believe that there may be other victims. Anyone with information about additional crimes committed by the defendant should contact law enforcement. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to praise the victim in this case for the bravery shown in reporting the defendant and enduring the legal process. This office also acknowledges the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and CARES Northwest. 

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