HILLSBORO, Ore.- On April 20, 2022, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Ricardo Menchaca sentenced Nelson Aaron Lopez-Morales, age 40, to 25 years in prison. On March 31, 2022, a jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree oral sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

The defendant was known to the victim who was under the age of 10 at the time. In July of 2019, the defendant sexually assaulted the child, who reported the abuse to a family member the same day. An acquaintance of the family contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an investigation. The victim was seen at CARES Northwest, where she disclosed details of the incident and further recounted prior incidents of sexual abuse by the defendant.

“The child showed incredible strength and bravery facing her abuser and testifying about what she endured,” said Deputy District Attorney Meisel. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim’s bravery in reporting this abuse, and her family’s ongoing support. This office also acknowledges the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its work. 

In addition to his prison sentence, the defendant was also ordered to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment. He will be transported to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.