HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 13, 2020, a Washington County jury found Sebastian Sylvester Meighan guilty of two counts of first-degree rape, second-degree rape and four counts of first-degree sex abuse. Deputy District Attorney Marie Atwood prosecuted Mr. Meighan in Judge Janelle Wipper’s courtroom.

Investigators learned the sexual abuse began when the victim was a young child and that it continued for at least eight years. The abuse was wide-ranging in nature. It escalated in severity as the victim aged. The defendant used threats to intimidate the victim in the hope she would not report the abuse.

In February of 2019, the abuse came to light. The victim took part in a class at school in which students discussed sexual abuse. During the same time period, the victim learned the defendant was going to become a father to a baby girl. She grew worried the infant would be subject to similar abuse and made the courageous decision to report it.

The victim alerted a school counselor, who notified the Oregon Department of Human Services. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, ultimately leading to the arrest of Mr. Meighan.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the incredible bravery of the victim in reporting the abuse. This office also thanks Detective Chuck Anderson of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, CARES Northwest and the Oregon Department of Human Services for their work on this case.

A sentencing hearing is set for February 5, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.