HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 17, 2020, a jury found Cupertino Juarez-Hernandez guilty of 25 counts in relation to child sex abuse. Those convictions include multiple counts of first-degree sodomy, first-degree rape and using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct. On January 23, 2020, Mr. Juarez-Hernandez was sentenced to 55 years in prison by Judge Charles Bailey. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted the case against the defendant.

Deputy District Attorney Lewman proved in court that the defendant sexually abused four children for many years. The abuse began when the victims were young children and continued into their teenage years.

The abuse came to light when one of the victims called police in May of 2019. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating and arrested the defendant. The victims were interviewed by experts at CARES Northwest where they gave additional information on the abuse they endured.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the investigative work of Detective Mark Povolny of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. This office also commends the work of CARES Northwest and the Oregon Department of Human Services. Finally, this prosecution would not have been possible without the bravery shown by the victim in reporting the abuse to law enforcement.

The investigation revealed that two other adults known to the children also sexually abused them during the same time frame. The two other defendants in this case are set for trial in April and June.

Mr. Juarez-Hernandez will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 15, 2020, Judge Eric Butterfield found Aronson Bellegarde guilty of two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree disorderly conduct in a bench trial. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted the case against Mr. Bellegarde.

On March 16, 2019, Mr. Bellegarde smoked a large amount of highly concentrated marijuana oil and got behind the wheel of his vehicle. He drove to the intersection of SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road in Beaverton, Oregon. He then abandoned his car in the middle of the street, jumped onto the hood of another vehicle and ran into a nearby grocery store.

The defendant then walked out of the grocery store, got back into his vehicle and started driving again. He nearly caused two head-on collisions as he drove through the Washington Square Mall area before he careened down a grass embankment leading to Highway 217. He then crashed into two vehicles driving northbound on the highway. An infant and young child were passengers in one of those vehicles. Fortunately, they were not hurt.

Following those collisions, the defendant stripped naked, rolled under various vehicles on Highway 217, jumped over the center median and took off running through the southbound lanes. Beaverton Police arrived and attempted to arrest Mr. Bellegarde. He again took off running but was arrested a short time later.

The defendant admitted to smoking a marijuana vape pen prior to the ordeal. A warrant was executed for his blood and urine. Those results showed high concentrations of THC in his system.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of Beaverton and Tigard police officers in apprehending the suspect quickly so that no other drivers would be put at risk.

A sentencing hearing will be held on January 28, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

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.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On December 23, 2019, Isaiah Andrew Mohr pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of a vehicle, attempt to elude police and two counts of first-degree burglary. He was sentenced to 65 months in prison by visiting Judge Henry Kantor. Deputy District Attorney Kate Glasson prosecuted the case against Mr. Mohr.

On November 21, 2019, Mr. Mohr stole a SUV from a home in Forest Grove, Oregon. The vehicle was then spotted in various locations across Washington County, Oregon throughout the day.

Washington County Sheriff’s deputies eventually located Mr. Mohr and attempted to arrest him. In trying to get away, he crashed into two patrol vehicles. One deputy suffered a concussion as a result of the incident.

The defendant then continued to elude deputies until he crashed into a home. He subsequently ran into another home in the area. The homeowner was present at the time and was forced to barricade herself in a bathroom until law enforcement arrived.

During this time, the defendant ran through the home and caused damage by throwing eggs and removing light fixtures. The Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team was eventually able to remove him from the home putting an end to the ordeal.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the professional work of area law enforcement in apprehending Mr. Mohr without additional injuries to himself or innocent victims involved.

In addition to his prison sentence, Mr. Mohr was also ordered to have no contact with his victims and to participate in substance abuse treatment programs while incarcerated. He will be subject to three years of post-prison supervision upon his release and will lose driving privileges for one year.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On December 27, 2019, Judge Eric Butterfield sentenced Eric Alexander Valencia to 20 years in prison following his guilty plea to Manslaughter in the First Degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree.  District Attorney Kevin Barton and Deputy District Attorney Jason Weiner prosecuted the case against Mr. Valencia.

On October 28, 2017, a 16-month-old child was discovered unresponsive in his crib. Family members called 911 immediately but first responders discovered the child was deceased. A child fatality investigation was then conducted. The parents of the child reported the boy was healthy prior to his death. An autopsy was conducted, and the medical examiner found that the child died of an undetermined natural cause.

About six months later, the Oregon Department of Human Services received a call to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline. The caller identified herself as Mr. Valencia’s therapist. The therapist reported that during a counseling session, Mr. Valencia admitted that he engaged in a series of abuse and assaultive acts towards his child in the days and weeks leading up to his death. He also admitted to intentionally suffocating the child on multiple instances including the night the child died.

Hillsboro Police renewed the criminal investigation based on this new evidence. Several people with knowledge of the situation reported they witnessed Mr. Valencia abuse the child and pets in his household.

Investigators spoke with Mr. Valencia on multiple occasions. He admitted to various acts of abuse including suffocating the child for 30-40 seconds the night of his death by placing his hand over the mouth and nose. He said he did this because the child would not stop crying. However, he claimed he did not kill the child and that the child was still alive when he removed his hand.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of Hillsboro Police detectives Megan Townsend and Victor Kamenir. This office also recognizes the work of the mandatory reporter who first alerted DHS to the abuse.  If that mandatory reporter had not alerted authorities, we would not have been able to prosecute this crime.

This office also encourages anyone who witnesses child abuse to call 911 immediately. Anonymous calls can also be made to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

Mr. Valencia will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Justice to begin serving his sentence.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On December 16, 2019, a Washington County jury found Tony Eugene Hadd guilty of three counts of second-degree rape, three counts of second-degree sodomy and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted Mr. Hadd in visiting Senior Judge Henry Kantor’s courtroom.

In April of 2019, the teenage victim made a disclosure of abuse to her mother and a school counselor. The allegations were reported to law enforcement. The victim was then interviewed by experts at CARES Northwest where she told investigators that the abuse began on a camping trip and lasted several months.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the bravery shown by the victim in coming forward. This office also commends the Tigard Police Detective Unit, CARES Northwest and the Oregon Department of Human Services for their work on this case.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 23, 2019 at 8:45 a.m.