HILLSBORO, Ore.- On September 25, 2019, Washington County Judge Ricardo Menchaca sentenced Benjamin Thomas Walden, age 44, to 325 months in prison. Following a court trial which began on September 4, 2019, Mr. Walden was convicted of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and five counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown.

In May of 2018, a young child made a disclosure of abuse to a family member. The abuse was committed by Mr. Walden who lived periodically with the child’s family member. The case was investigated by Detective Charles Anderson from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The child was then taken to CARES Northwest where she underwent a forensic interview with trained experts. The child told staff that Mr. Walden sexually abused her. The child also disclosed that Mr. Walden urged her not to tell anyone what happened after the abuse.

Shortly after the abuse occurred, Mr. Walden sent multiple text messages to the child and her family member. He apologized for his actions but also confessed his love for the child. He also said via these messages that he had done something wrong and was guilty. These messages proved vital to the state’s case against Mr. Walden. Mr. Walden was on the run from authorities for several months until he was finally arrested in Washington State.

Based on evidence gathered, investigators are concerned there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. We urge anyone with information about possible criminal conduct involving Mr. Walden to call law enforcement immediately.

While in custody at the Washington County Jail, Mr. Walden also violated jail rules by manufacturing contraband. Judge Menchaca sentenced Mr. Walden to an additional 11 months in prison on this charge and ordered this time be served consecutively in conjunction with his previous sentence.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Digital Forensics Laboratory and that of CARES Northwest.

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