HILLSBORO, Ore- On December 6, 2024, a Washington County jury found Billy Eugene Brown, age 64, guilty of robbery in the first degree, felon in possession of a firearm, identity theft, and theft in the second degree. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andrew Freeman prosecuted this case before Judge Erik Buchér. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2024.

Mr. Brown has an extensive criminal history with more than 70 arrest cycles and multiple prison stints dating back to the early 1990s. On June 27, 2023, the defendant entered a Home Depot in Beaverton with two bags. He filled both bags with stolen merchandise and walked out of the store. Multiple loss prevention employees witnessed the theft and followed him from the store to recover the stolen items. A worker attempted to grab one of the bags from the defendant, but a handgun fell from the bag during the struggle. The employee disengaged and warned others of the weapon. The defendant then held the firearm as he warned employees to get away from him. He fled the area with the stolen merchandise. 

Beaverton police located the defendant nearby at a Target store and arrested him. He had loose ammunition in his pocket and a debit card stolen in a Portland car prowl in his wallet. A police K9 then located a loaded 9mm handgun along with a bag used in the robbery hidden under some bushes between the stores. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the work of Beaverton police in apprehending the suspect and securing the missing firearm. 

This office is dedicated to protecting area businesses from theft and crime. District Attorney Kevin Barton recently launched an anti-shoplifting campaign and has been distributing warning signs for companies to display. Visit our website to learn more about this effort and to request a free sign. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 22, 2024, a Washington County jury found David Keith Hilton, age 39, guilty of sodomy in the first degree constituting domestic violence, sexual abuse in the first and third degree constituting domestic violence, and harassment constituting domestic violence. On November 25, 2024, Judge Brandon Thompson sentenced the defendant to 100 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Katherine Miller, a member of the Domestic Violence Team, prosecuted this case.

The defendant engaged in sexual relations while the victim slept and without her consent. The victim called Hillsboro police on an unrelated matter and told them of these incidents. Investigators spoke with the defendant, and he admitted to initiating sexual contact while the victim was asleep. 

While in custody at the Washington County Jail, the defendant violated a no-contact order when he made several calls to the victim. In one call, he urged her to drop the charges against him. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim in this case for the bravery shown throughout the legal process. This office also acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department. 

In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Thompson also ordered the defendant to register as a sex offender and to serve post-prison supervision upon his release. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 22, 2024, Nathan Blake Eckardt, age 35, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Proctor. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted this case.

In December of 2023, the defendant was caught sexually abusing a young child. He admitted the abuse began months prior and that it happened multiple times. The witness reported the abuse to law enforcement.  

Investigators with the Beaverton Police Department obtained text messages from the defendant to the witness in which he admitted to the abuse and urged her not to report the incident to police. They also conducted a recorded phone call, where he again admitted his guilt.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the investigative work of the Beaverton Police Department on this case. 

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

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 22, 2024, a Washington County jury found Daniel Ryan Gore, age 18, guilty of murder in the first degree, rape in the first degree, and sexual abuse in the first degree following a two-week trial. On December 2, 2024, Judge Ricardo Menchaca sentenced the defendant to life in prison. However, due to juvenile justice reforms, Mr. Gore will be eligible for parole after 15 years. Senior Deputy District Attorneys John Gerhard and Andy Pulver prosecuted this case.

On May 8, 2022, the defendant raped and murdered the victim in this case, Milana Li. Milana was just 13 years old at the time of her death. 

SDDA Pulver told the jury that the defendant was a wolf in sheep’s clothing as he lured Milana into a false sense of security before he brutally raped and killed her in a wooded area of Beaverton near where the defendant was living out of a tent. Prosecutors used surveillance footage and cell phone tracking data to prove Milana was last seen alive with the defendant around 7:45 p.m. the night of her murder. 

The victim was reported missing by her mother the next afternoon when she returned home after working the night shift. She expected Milana to be home but couldn’t locate her. She assumed Milana went to school early but grew increasingly concerned after she confirmed the teenager was not at school. 

News of Milana’s disappearance spread quickly throughout the community. Milana’s friend decided to look for her in a wooded area she was known to visit from time to time. The friend and her mother went to the area, found clothing and shoes belonging to Milana, and called the police. 

Investigators searched the area and quickly found Milana’s body half-submerged under a weighted-down blanket in a creek. Packaging straps linked to the blanket were found in Mr. Gore’s tent near Progress Ridge. Investigators also later linked DNA evidence found inside the victim to that of the defendant. 

Investigators quickly identified Mr. Gore as a person of interest. When police tried to approach him in a Beaverton library two days later, he ran out of the building via an emergency exit. He was located and arrested a short time later. Investigators learned the defendant called his then-girlfriend after the murder and told her something bad happened but that he, “took care of it.” 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office sends condolences to Milana’s family, friends, and loved ones. This office also acknowledges the work of Detective Cindy Herring, the Beaverton Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office – Forensic Sciences Unit, and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory on this case. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 14, 2024, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Erik Buchér found Ali Muhammed Quraishi, age 33, guilty of 23 counts involving the assaults and sexual assaults of nine women. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2025, on the following convictions in this bench trial:

Court Case #23CR13359

1. Rape in the First Degree (three counts)
2. Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (three counts)
3. Sodomy in the First Degree (two counts)
4. Invasion of Personal Privacy in the First Degree
5. Assault in the Fourth Degree

Court Case #23CR57793

1. Rape in the First Degree (two counts)
2. Sexual Abuse in the First Degree (six counts)
3. Sodomy in the First Degree
4. Invasion of Personal Privacy in the First Degree (two counts)
5. Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image in the First Degree

Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the defendant following an extensive investigation conducted by the Beaverton Police Department. The convictions involve the defendant's assaults of nine adult women between 2016 and 2023. All the victims in this case were strangers to the defendant and to each other. The defendant met his victims at Silverado and Stag nightclubs in Downtown Portland where he worked as a dancer. He supplied the women with alcohol and lured them back to his apartment in Beaverton. He then proceeded to engage in sex acts with the victims while they were in conditions in which they could not consent. 

The investigation was led by Detective Maggie Brown and began in May 2022. Through the course of her investigation, she learned of the defendant’s crimes against the other victims. Two of the sexual assaults occurred while the investigation was already underway. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the bravery of the victims in reporting this abuse and persevering through a challenging legal process. This office also thanks the Beaverton Police Department for its work conducting this investigation. This office also acknowledges the work of the Portland Police Bureau and the Oregon State Police Forensic Lab.

Investigators believe there could be additional, unidentified victims. Anyone with information related to the defendant is urged to call law enforcement. 

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.