HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 22, 2023, Jose Juan Mandujano-Aguilar pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree and was sentenced to 70 months in prison under Measure 11 by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Eric Butterfield. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey prosecuted the case against the defendant.

On August 19, 2022, the defendant violently attacked Lieutenant Neil Potter shortly after the officer parked his patrol vehicle near the rear entrance of the Hillsboro Police Department. The attack was unprovoked and left Lt. Potter with a broken nose and a severe concussion.

The Washington County Major Crimes Team was immediately activated. Investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage and interviewed two eyewitnesses who observed the attack. They determined the defendant rushed towards the officer shortly after he parked his vehicle and began attacking him. The officer attempted to create space between himself and the defendant by retreating towards the back of his vehicle, but Mr. Mandujano-Aguilar rushed the officer and continued attacking him. During the assault, the defendant repeatedly reached for the officer’s duty weapon which was holstered on his belt. Lt. Potter, in fear for his life and acting in self-defense, gained control of the weapon, and fired three shots which struck the defendant in the face and head.

A review of Lt. Potter’s use of deadly force by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office found the officer was entirely justified and his actions were necessary to save his own life. The full opinion issued by CDDA McKey can be found here.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Washington County Major Crimes Team on this case.

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