HILLSBORO, Ore.- On September 8, 2021, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Erik Buchér sentenced 44-year-old Airian Jovan Misuraca to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Misuraca had been convicted by a jury in July of six counts of first-degree rape, nine counts of first-degree sodomy and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the case against Mr. Misuraca. 

“The defendant was unanimously convicted on every count. The jury was clearly impacted by the horrific abuse the child victim had to endure,” said SDDA Brown.  

The defendant was facing a life sentence because he had been previously convicted twice of felony sex crimes against children. SDDA Brown urged the court to impose a true-life sentence based on the severity of the crimes, the defendant’s lengthy criminal history, and his lack of any remorse for his actions.  

Judge Buchér ultimately agreed with these arguments. When announcing the defendant would serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole, he stated his intent is to ensure the defendant is incarcerated for the rest of his life to protect the community. Judge Buchér also indicated there were no mitigating factors to justify a lesser sentence. 

The victim’s family was present in the courtroom and urged the Judge to impose a true-life sentence. Also attending the hearing was another person who reported being raped by the defendant many years ago, when she was 15. That case had been investigated in Portland, but was not prosecuted because ultimately the victim could not be located for prosecution.

“Today, this victim was finally able to get closure to this sexual assault from years ago. She, like many victims, was reluctant to testify at the time, because she was worried she would not be believed. She showed extreme bravery facing the defendant in court today,” said SDDA Brown.

Mr. Misuraca’s current case involved multiple incidents spanning a period of several years. In February of 2019, the victim made a disclosure of abuse to a family member who immediately alerted law enforcement. Tigard police            began investigating the allegations. The victim was also seen at CARES Northwest where she gave additional details of the abuse.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in reporting these crimes and for participating in the defendant’s trial. This office also thanks Tigard police, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, CARES Northwest, the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon State Police Forensic Lab for their work on this case.

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