HILLSBORO, Ore.- On February 16, 2022, Robert Wade Jackson pleaded guilty to attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree attempted sodomy, and first-degree burglary. He was then sentenced to 25 years in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Oscar Garcia. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

The defendant is a convicted sex offender. On July 29, 2018, Mr. Jackson broke into the bedroom of a young girl living in an apartment complex near his home. The victim was awakened to a stranger in her room standing by her bed. The defendant was holding a knife and was displaying his genitals. He then pulled the victim towards him and kissed her on the lips. She began to struggle. Mr. Jackson cut her neck with the knife and told her to be quiet. The victim then screamed for her father who instantly ran to her room. 

The defendant dropped his knife as he fled the apartment. Beaverton police responded to the scene. They were unable to locate Mr. Jackson that night but sent the knife to the Oregon State Police crime lab. Investigators linked DNA found on the knife to Mr. Jackson based upon his sex offender registration. The defendant fled the state after the attack but was arrested by Auburn police on November 6, 2018. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim in this case for her bravery throughout this process. This office also thanks Beaverton police, including Detective Maggie Brown, Oregon State Police, and the Auburn Police Department for their work on this case. 

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