On January 12, 2018, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Eric Butterfield sentenced 49 year-old Kevin Wayne Randolph to 975 months in prison (81 years) for numerous sex crimes he committed against members of his own family. Randolph, who appeared in the custody of the Washington County Sheriff's Office after his conviction by jury trial in November, 2017, faced immediate transfer to the Department of Corrections to begin his sentence.
Deputy District Attorney Andy Pulver provided a victim impact statement to the court written by one of the victims. Speaking on behalf of multiple affected family members, the statement explained the effects of years of the defendant's abuse and the fear he instilled in his victims. The statement also commended the courage of the first child to speak up and fight back against the defendant to protect younger family members. Because of the severity of Randolph's crimes, the lasting effects of the abuse, and the danger he would pose ever released, the victims urged Judge Butterfield to impose the maximum possible sentence under the law.
This case is another reminder that the victims of child sex crimes often wait to report past abuse. Child sex abuse occurs at a time and place of the abuser's choosing, frequently when there are no other witnesses and physical evidence can be hidden or destroyed. Oregon law recognizes that often the only evidence of abuse is the testimony of the victim. Persons wishing to report child sex abuse are encouraged to contact any law enforcement agency, the Department of Human Services child abuse reporting hotline at 503-681-6917, or to simply call 911.
