HILLSBORO, Ore- On Wednesday, October 3, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to accept $533,200 in grant funds from the United States Department of Justice. The grant, “Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA,” will support continued efforts to prosecute cold cases with DNA evidence. This is a competitive grant award intended to increase the capacity of state and local prosecution offices to address violent crime cold cases.

The District Attorney's Office was awarded a similar grant in 2020 enabling the creation of the Cold Case Unit. The Cold Case Unit is operated in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. That initial funding helped investigators identify a suspect in a 1988 homicide. The case remained unsolved until this office used DNA evidence to identify Robert Elmer Atrops as the suspect. Mr. Atrops has since been arrested and charged with Murder in the Second Degree in the death of his estranged wife. 

“We are very pleased to be awarded another federal grant which allows us to pursue justice for victims of crimes, no matter how much time has passed,” said District Attorney Kevin Barton.  “The Washington County DA’s Office Cold Case Unit has shown incredible progress in the last three years, and we look forward to working to solve more cases with this additional grant funding.”

In 2020, this office conducted a review of all cold case homicides to identify their potential to be prosecuted with additional investigation. Of the 43 identified cases dating back to 1968, at least 14 contain DNA evidence. Additionally, there are potentially hundreds of unsolved sexual assault cases over the decades that contain DNA evidence. This office is confident many of these crimes can be solved. 

This grant award will allow this office to continue working on resolving cold case homicides by funding two part-time investigators, one part-time forensic consultant, and other associated expenses through September 30, 2026. This grant also supports the unit’s work to inventory and investigate additional cold case violent crimes including sexual assaults. We are hopeful that through these efforts, victims will receive the justice they deserve, the community at large can receive a sense of resolution and those who committed these crimes can finally be held responsible. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 26, 2023, Lauro Vazquez-Cordova plead guilty to three counts of Rape in the Second Degree and three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

The defendant sexually abused two children. The abuse came to light in January 2022 after one of the victims confided in a school counselor. That counselor immediately notified the Oregon Department of Human Services, which in turn alerted the Forest Grove Police Department.

Investigators met with the victims as did medical experts at CARES Northwest. The victims provided details of the abuse which occurred in multiple locations across Washington County, Oregon. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victims for their bravery in reporting the defendant's actions and for their courage throughout the judicial process. This office also acknowledges the work of the Forest Grove Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, DHS, and CARES Northwest. 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 11, 2023. The defendant will remain in custody until that time. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 25, 2023, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Erwin sentenced Vincent Anthony Debellis to 90 months in prison. This sentence comes after the defendant was convicted by a jury of Assault in the First Degree, two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Cocaine, and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the defendant.

On February 24, 2023, the defendant and victim were in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon when they became engaged in a verbal argument. Mr. Debellis had a loaded handgun concealed in his jacket pocket. During the argument, the defendant fired a round through his jacket at the victim. The bullet struck his leg and shattered his femur. 

The defendant ran from the scene. He attempted to hide the gun and jacket behind a phone booth at the nearby transit center. He then boarded a bus. Hillsboro police officers quickly located him and arrested him without incident.  He had a restricted weapon in his pocket and a large amount of cash. Officers later recovered the loaded handgun. 

The defendant admitted to shooting the victim but claimed it was in self-defense. Police searched his van which was parked nearby and found large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine and other items associated with drug dealing. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department for its swift response and apprehension of the defendant. This office also thanks the Oregon State Police Forensic Lab for its work on this case. 

Mr. Debellis will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence. The prison sentence will be followed by three years of post-prison supervision. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 22, 2023, Jose Juan Mandujano-Aguilar pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree and was sentenced to 70 months in prison under Measure 11 by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Eric Butterfield. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey prosecuted the case against the defendant.

On August 19, 2022, the defendant violently attacked Lieutenant Neil Potter shortly after the officer parked his patrol vehicle near the rear entrance of the Hillsboro Police Department. The attack was unprovoked and left Lt. Potter with a broken nose and a severe concussion.

The Washington County Major Crimes Team was immediately activated. Investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage and interviewed two eyewitnesses who observed the attack. They determined the defendant rushed towards the officer shortly after he parked his vehicle and began attacking him. The officer attempted to create space between himself and the defendant by retreating towards the back of his vehicle, but Mr. Mandujano-Aguilar rushed the officer and continued attacking him. During the assault, the defendant repeatedly reached for the officer’s duty weapon which was holstered on his belt. Lt. Potter, in fear for his life and acting in self-defense, gained control of the weapon, and fired three shots which struck the defendant in the face and head.

A review of Lt. Potter’s use of deadly force by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office found the officer was entirely justified and his actions were necessary to save his own life. The full opinion issued by CDDA McKey can be found here.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Washington County Major Crimes Team on this case.

The defendant will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 8, 2023, a Washington County jury found Louis Rodarte guilty of three counts of Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Assault in the Fourth Degree. On November 13, 2023, Judge Erik Bucher sentenced the defendant to 180 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Joel Petersen prosecuted the case against the defendant.

On July 16, 2021, Beaverton police were dispatched to the Millikan Way MAX Station after a witness called 9-1-1 and reported two women were attacked by a man. A video recording of the attack can be seen below. They gave a description of the suspect, later identified as the defendant.

Responding officers quickly located the defendant at the MAX station. Based on victim and witness statements, they determined the defendant attacked two women who were waiting at the station. The defendant was acting erratically before he approached the women and demanded they give him their money. The defendant assaulted the victims when they did not give him any money, causing severe injuries to both victims. The defendant also tried to take the backpack of one of the victims. A bystander witnessed the attack and aided the women by pushing the defendant off them.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the Beaverton Police Department for their quick response to the scene. This office also commends the bystander who came to the victims’ defense.

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 13, 2023, a Washington County jury found Prisciliano Lopez-Martinez guilty of six counts of Rape in the First Degree, 17 counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, seven counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, and Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree. On December 12, 2023, Judge Ricardo Menchaca sentenced the defendant to 3,225 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted this case.

The defendant sexually abused at least seven children over the course of many years. The abuse came to light in March 2020 when one of the victims disclosed the crimes to a sibling. The sibling consulted other family members and learned of additional victims. They then went to the Hillsboro Police Department to report the defendant.

Detectives spoke with each victim to gather additional information. The victims also met with medical experts at CARES Northwest where they detailed the abuse they endured.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victims in this case for their bravery throughout the legal process. This office also acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department and CARES Northwest.

The defendant also has an open case in Washington State concerning an eighth child victim. Investigators fear there could be additional victims who have yet to come forward. Anyone with information about additional crimes involving the defendant should contact their local law enforcement agency.