Marion Co. Dist. Attorney's Office

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News Release

Marion County Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Child Sexual Abuse -07/09/25

Today, a Marion County Jury convicted Maury Wayne Pearson, 6/28/1956, of one count of Sodomy in the First Degree after a three-day jury trial.  Marion County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Broyles presided over the case, and the case was prosecuted by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Meghan Kamps and Matthew Estrada. 

 

The next date is a status conference on 7/14/2025 at 8:30 for parties to pick a sentencing date.

 

Due to the victim being under the age of 12 and the offender over the age of 18 at the time of the offense, Sodomy in the First Degree carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.

 

The case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  Due to the pending sentencing date no further information will be released at this time.

Salem Man Receives 20 Years In Prison For Sexually Assaulting Two Women -07/01/25

On July 1, 2025, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Broyles sentenced Salem resident Felix Flores, age 40, to 20 years in prison for Sodomy in the First Degree, Rape in the First Degree, Attempted Rape in the First Degree, and Kidnapping in the First Degree. Mr. Flores will also be required to register as a sex offender.

 

These convictions arise out of two incidents with two different victims. In each, Flores went into a local community business and forcibly sexually assaulted the female employees after kidnapping them by moving them to a different location inside their workplace.

 

Deputy District Attorney Katharine Semple, who prosecuted the case, argued that Flores displayed no remorse nor insight into his predatory behavior.  She pointed to Flores’ racist, degrading comments about his victims during his police interview and subsequent statements as additional reasons Flores deserved a significant sentence.

 

“We must continue to protect local businesses and those working hard to simply live their lives,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy.  “I am thankful for DDA Semple’s hard, dedicated work on this and other serious cases.”

 

At the sentencing when Judge Broyles imposed the 20-year prison sentence, she told Flores that he was not only the victims’ worst nightmare, but he was “the community’s worst nightmare.”

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Salem Police Department and lead Detective Sabrina Hunter for their excellent work on this case.

Mexican National Extradited Back To Marion County Oregon To Stand Trial For Murder. -06/25/25

 

Today, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson announced the extradition of Jesus Rodriguez-Borrayo, now 43 years old, from Mexico back to the United States to stand trial for the August 17, 2008, shooting death of Rafael Garcia.  Garcia was 21 at the time of his death.    

 

The 2008 incident involved at least two shooters that shot at a vehicle at the intersection of 5th Street and Locust St NE, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Nineteen shell casings from at least two different guns were located at the scene.  Three others were also injured in the shooting but survived their injuries.  The victim vehicle fled and drove to the Salem Hospital immediately after the shooting where Garcia was deceased upon arrival. 

  

A Marion County Grand Jury indicted Rodriguez-Borrayo for Murder, three counts of Attempted Aggravated Murder, two counts of Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Conspiracy to Commit Murder. A warrant was issued for his arrest, but local law enforcement was unable to locate Rodriguez-Borrayo at that time.  It was believed that he fled to Mexico and an Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (“UFAP”) warrant was granted and has been active since that time. 

  

The state nevertheless proceeded with prosecution of the others involved in the incident:  

  • Francisco Ibarra- Ruiz was ultimately found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Hindering Prosecution after an August 6, 2009, jury trial in Marion County Circuit Court case 08C46610;  

  • Adrian Montoya-Franco, DOB 3/5/1984, was ultimately found guilty of Murder, 3 counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Conspiracy to commit Murder by a jury on August 17, 2009, in Marion County case 08C46609; and  

  • Salvador Mariscal-Lopez, DOB 12/26/1989, pled guilty on August 10, 2009, to one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Marion County Circuit Court case 08C50221.  

The Salem Police Department, with the assistance of the FBI, regularly reviews and attempts to locate suspects at-large, especially following violent crimes.  In December 2024, investigators received information regarding Rodriguez-Borrayo’s whereabouts, and the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, Salem Police, and the Salem branch of the FBI began coordinating the arrest and extradition of Rodriguez-Borrayo.  

 

Rodriguez-Borrayo was located by Mexican Authorities and arrested on December 2, 2024.  He was detained in Mexico until his extradition was approved on April 11, 2025.  He was returned to the Marion County Jail on June 25, 2025

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District Attorney Paige Clarkson was the original prosecutor on these cases and has remained as part of the team seeking Rodriguez-Borrayo's return to answer for his charges over the ensuing decades.  Clarkson stated, “I am grateful to our Salem Police and FBI partners who have remained committed to ensuring that this defendant is brought back to face prosecution.  This matter is just one example of our commitment to ensuring that those who perpetrate violence in our community will be held accountable – no matter the passage of time.” 

 

Salem Police Chief Womack stated, “This case highlights the great work of our detectives to not only identify the suspect nearly17 years ago, but to persevere with our partners to find him and bring him back to meet justice.  I am proud of the effective work we all accomplish together to keep our city safe.” 

 

Rodriguez-Borreyo will be arraigned on his charges at the Marion County Court Annex on Thursday June 26, 2025 at 2:30pm.  Due to the pending prosecution, no further information will be released at this time. 

Marion County District Attorney Opens Grand Jury Inquiry Regarding MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility -06/16/25

 

Today, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson announced that she has convened a grand jury to inquire into the conditions and management of MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, the Oregon Youth Authority’s (OYA) largest closed custody detention facility, which is located in Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon.  This inquiry is authorized per Oregon Revised Statute 132.440. 

 

“I have grown increasingly concerned regarding the safety of youth placed at MacLaren.  Communities around this state rely on OYA to rehabilitate youth who have committed offenses that judges find justify detention.  It goes without saying that those same communities as well as judges, prosecutors, youth counsel, and families expect OYA to prioritize safety in that facility.  Unfortunately, the more we learn regarding what occurred under OYA’s former leadership, the more that I believe that I should use every tool I have to ensure that both youth and the staff who serve them are safe.” 

 

Over the past 12 months, the Marion County District Attorney’s Office has received more than 100 investigations of potential criminal conduct, some dating back several years, occurring at MacLaren.  That number does not include investigations sent to other DA offices1, nor does it include incidents that are merely administrative or incidents that did not rise to criminal investigatory levels.  These investigations do, however, include escapes, contraband possession, physical assaults on both youth and staff, riots, and most concerning, sexual assault.  Most of these investigations have been identified following the discovery of significant backlog in the Oregon Youth Authority’s Professional Standards Office.  That backlog prompted action by the Governor and drew the attention of legislators who have held hearings to oversee OYA administration.    

 

"I commend District Attorney Clarkson and Attorney General Rayfield for launching this joint inquiry. Maintaining the public’s trust in this state facility—and ensuring the safety and well-being of the youth it serves—are vital for a just and humane Oregon," said Senator Anthony Broadman, Co-Chair of the legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety. "We are eager to review the facts in their report this fall, and the committee will be ready to take appropriate action. We will not hesitate to implement reforms, ensure accountability, and make the changes necessary to protect those under the state's supervision,” continued Representative Paul Evans, Co-Chair of the legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety. 

 

“My office doesn’t receive state funds to address criminal behavior in state-run institutions,” District Attorney Clarkson further stated. “While we are accustomed to working with the Oregon State Police to manage cases arising from the numerous correctional facilities within our jurisdiction, the sheer number and seriousness of these MacLaren investigations is almost overwhelming.” 

 

Given this large volume of investigations combined with the statutory scope of the inquiry, DA Clarkson requested assistance from the Oregon Department of Justice.  Attorney General Dan Rayfield agreed and has assigned a Senior Assistant Attorney General to support the effort.  

 

Marion County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy, Senior DDA David Wilson, and Senior Assistant Attorney General Kurt Miller will oversee the proceedings.  Chief DDA Murphy has extensive experience with juvenile justice law and policy, is a member of the Oregon Juvenile Justice Policy Commission and was previously a member of the Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Mental Health Task Force.  He currently serves on OYA’s safety task force. Senior DDA Wilson has significant juvenile experience and oversees closed-custody prosecutions within the Marion County DAs Office. AAG Kurt Miller is a statewide expert on juvenile law, including waiver proceedings and jurisdictional authority. He has been specially deputized as a Marion County Deputy District Attorney for this purpose.  

 

Consistent with all matters that come before a grand jury, these proceedings are confidential.  As such, no further information will be released prior to the grand jury’s final report.  The Marion County District Attorney’s Office expects that the report will be completed by the end of the year and will be publicly released at that time.