JUDGE SENTENCES MAN TO 50 YEARS PRISON FOR RAPING, STALKING, TERRORIZING, TRYING TO KILL FORMER INTIMATE PARTNER (Photo) -05/14/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 14, 2025

CASE: 23CR27928

Portland, OR - On May 8, 2025, Multnomah County Judge Andrew Lavin sentenced Michael Panarites to 50 years prison for multiple crimes tied to the rape, sodomy, assault, solicitation, and attempted murder of his former intimate partner with whom he shared a child.

A Multnomah County jury in February of 2025 found Panarites guilty of the following:
 

Attempt to Commit Any Degree of Murder or Aggravated Murder

Solicitation of Murder

Stalking

Two counts, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Six counts, Unlawful Use of a Global Positioning System Device

Harassment

Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree

Two counts, Coercion

Assault in the Fourth Degree

Harassment

Sodomy in the First Degree

Two counts, Rape in the First Degree

Two counts, Sodomy in the First Degree

Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorneys Kenzie Ludwig and Reid Schweitzer prosecuted the case for the state. After the sentencing, Ludwig said, “I’m forever grateful to the survivor for trusting us to handle the case against her abuser. This sentence not only reflects the severity of his conduct, but it also serves a greater purpose of keeping her, her loved ones, and the community safe from his criminal behavior.” 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Gresham Police Department Detectives Adam Wright and Lindsay Friderich, Gresham Police Officer John Heer, and Portland Police Bureau Officers Karina Robles and Julian Drury for their extensive investigation and dedication to this case through the years.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would also like to highlight the kind and compassionate work done by MCDA Victim Advocates Karla Juarez along with Chelsea Hickok and Karma Prajzler. 

Judge Lavin stated there were two primary reasons for why he agreed with the State’s recommended sentence. First, this was a long, continuous course of conduct that involved terrorizing the victim in every way possible - emotionally, physically, sexually, mentally, verbally, and financially. That has had an immeasurable impact on the victim’s life along with those who were also affected. The second consideration is that despite the numerous court issued orders on the civil and criminal side, nothing stopped Panarites from harassing those who were cooperative with law enforcement.

THE FACTS:

From at least December of 2020 until his arrest May 29, 2023, Michael Panarites physically, sexually, and psychologically abused the victim at various times. He was responsible for sexually and physically assaulting the victim before she fled the home in July 2022. After obtaining a restraining order, Panarites continued to stalk her by hiring a private investigator and placing multiple tracking devices on her vehicle to monitor her. His behavior continued to escalate when he solicited his parents on numerous occasions to assist in killing her and her mother. When confronted initially by police, Panarites fled from police, crossed state lines, and obtained stolen firearms and other weapons. 

Finally, on May 29, 2023, Portland Police stopped Panarites’ car because he had stolen license plates on it. Officers found 100+ rounds of ammunition, multiple loaded magazines, stolen loaded/functioning firearm, machete, axe, crossbow, bolts, and numerous stolen license plates. And on his car keys, police found a handcuff key. All of these items were documented by police as they were tools and weapons he described to his parents he would use to murder of the victim and others. 

                                            ###MCDA###

HARASSMENT OF PEACOCKS LEADS TO ATTEMPTED MURDER AND 90 MONTH PRISON SENTENCE -05/12/25

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                                                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case: 24CR00332

Portland, OR- On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Christopher Marshall sentenced Dylan Levi Rhoads to 90 months in prison for shooting at a man who confronted Mr. Rhoads over Mr. Rhoads harassing a flock of peacocks roaming a southeast Portland neighborhood.

Rhoads pled guilty to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree With a Firearm and Unlawful Use of a Weapon With a Firearm and resolved 8 different cases against him.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer prosecuted the case for the state.

After the sentencing he said:  “This defendant had a clear pattern of escalating, dangerous, criminal behavior. And yet he was repeatedly released after being arrested for his earlier crimes. 

I believe the system failed here- failed both the victims and the defendant.” 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the work of Detective Sara Clark, of the Enhanced Community Safety Team within the Portland Police Bureau, for her dedicated work to this case. 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank MCDA Victim Advocates Amina Dureti and Nang Dunn for their compassionate care shown to the victims in this case. 

THE FACTS:

On September 29, 2023 Mr. Rhoads’ victim was leaving his wife and kids at his home and heading to work. When he stepped out of his house, he noticed the defendant and another person harassing peacocks across the street. He asked them to stop. They had a violent response to him including saying “bock, bock, bock you next” and “We can bang right now.”

The victim disengaged, went back into his home and let them drive away. When he thought it was clear, he went back out to his car to leave and made it a couple blocks to the next intersection and saw that they were waiting for him there. The driver shot at the victim from the driver’s seat of their vehicle. Investigators found five shell casings in the intersection and multiple bullet strikes to the victim’s car. 

Bullets grazed the victim but fortunately he did not suffer serious injuries, in part because he had installed a special, heavy duty seat in his vehicle which stopped one of the bullets from hitting him.

Police used a Ring camera video to get a good picture of the defendant’s vehicle and found the vehicle within days, connecting the car to the defendant.

                                                                                           ###MCDA###

PARENTS SENT TO PRISON AFTER THEIR FENTANYL CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE IN 3 YEAR OLD SO -05/11/25

PRESS RELEASE                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case #  (main cases) 24CR37703  and 24CR37704

May 11, 2025

Portland, OR-Multnomah County Judge Christopher Marshall sentenced Samantha Faye Smith and Delone Dominque Kelley on May 9th, 2025, to significant prison sentences resulting from an avoidable fentanyl overdose which caused serious physical injury to their son. The victim, who was three years old at the time, is now five years old. He remains significantly impacted by those injuries.

The plea agreements allowed the defendants to remain out of custody pending sentencing in order to get their affairs in order. Both defendants were warned that if they failed to appear at the original sentencing date, their prison sentences would be substantially increased. Neither defendant showed up for sentencing on April 4th as required by Judge Marshall. 

Smith was sentenced to a total of 56 months in prison for the crimes of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree and Assault in the Third Degree. She also pled guilty to the crime of Failure to Appear in the First Degree.

In consideration of the fact that she did eventually turn herself in, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office asked Judge Marshall to take four months off of Smith’s sentence (which would have otherwise been 60 months prison).

Similarly, Judge Marshall sentenced Kelley to 75 months in prison (instead of 80 months prison) at the State’s request because he turned himself in.

Kelley previously pled guilty to Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree and Assault in the Third Degree. Like Smith, he also pled guilty to Failure to Appear in the First Degree. 

Both will be eligible for Alternative Incarceration Programs. In Oregon, the Alternative Incarceration Program (AIP) is an intensive prison program for select adults in custody to address criminal risk factors. Alternative incarceration was established by the 1993 Legislature with House Bill 2481, creating the Summit program. Ten years later, the 2003 Oregon Legislature authorized the Department of Corrections to establish residential AIPs that emphasize intensive alcohol and drug treatment (House Bill 2647).

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Afton Coppedge prosecuted the case for the state.

After the sentencing she said:

 “This case matters because there is a fentanyl epidemic in our community. We often think about fentanyl in the context of open air markets, people using on the streets and how it impacts individuals experiencing homelessness. But the reality is that there are children across this county who are living with fentanyl in their homes. And they are ingesting fentanyl at small levels and toxic levels. Kids need to be safe at home just like they need to be safe in the community. And so, we will hold people accountable even when that’s parents.”

Coppedge also commented on why the state asked the judge to reduce some of the extra prison time the parents agreed to before the original sentencing.

“It is a tragic case all around. There is no doubt in my mind that these parents love this child and that he loves them. Mr. Kelley and Ms. Smith knew the consequences of not showing up at the original sentencing and made that choice. I think that while the state wants to hold people accountable- we also recognize that when people ultimately make the right decision to turn themselves in as they did here, that there should be some acknowledgement for making good choices.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit of the Portland Police Bureau for their hard work and persistence investigating this case, and for their exhaustive efforts to locate the defendants when they failed to appear at sentencing. We would also like to recognize the work of MCDA Victim Advocate Alie Aguilera for her compassion and care offered during this case.

THE FACTS:

On June 25, 2023 a three year old boy woke up in his home in Multnomah County excited to watch cartoons with his grandmother. His parents had made the decision to bring fentanyl into their home. The child ingested some of it which led to a life altering brain injury.

MAN SENT TO PRISON FOR 12 YEARS AFTER ROBBING 98 YEAR OLD MAN -05/08/25

PRESS RELEASE                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2025

Multnomah Circuit Court Judge Andrew Lavin sentenced Karon Roylee Jones to 145 months in prison.

A Multnomah County Jury deliberated for  about 90 minutes and found Jones guilty of Assault in the Second Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, and ID Theft. 

Deputy District Attorney Andrew Wood prosecuted the case for the state. After the sentencing he said: “The defendant imposed unacceptable cruelty upon Mr. Leehan on Thanksgiving morning in 2024.  Mr. Leehan had the strength and fortitude to show up in court at 99 years of age and provide his account of the incident to the jury.  The verdict of the jury in this case is a testament to the incredible strength of Mr. Francis Leehan. I hope that the verdict of the jury and the sentence imposed by Judge Lavin provide Mr. Leehan with a sense that justice has been served.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize and thank MCDA Investigator Nathan Tobey for providing critical assistance throughout this case. Also, thank you to MCDA Victim Advocate Jessica Mathis for assisting the victim and the victim's family.

THE FACTS:

On November 28, 2024, at about 7:30 AM, the 98-year old victim drove himself from his house on NE 154th Ave., to the Winco Foods store located at: 1222 NE 102nd Avenue, Portland. 

Video surveillance shows the victim park his car and walk into the Winco store. As he is gingerly walking through the parking lot, a gold Mercedes sedan parks next to his car.. While the 98-year old is in the store, the suspect vehicle Mercedes re-positions itself so the driver door of the Mercedes is next to the driver door of the victim’s car. The elderly man made his way from Winco back toward his car. As the 98 year old is opening his door to get in, the defendant gets out of the Mercedes,  reaches out and grabs the victim’s wallet out of his back pocket.

The victim immediately turns around to confront the defendant who was getting back into the Mercedes. 

The victim grabs onto the defendant’s driver door with the defendant in the driver seat. The victim pulls on the door while calling for help and can be seen struggling to try and open the defendant's door. During the struggle, the  defendant punches the gas and drives away, slamming the 98 year old to the pavement. The victim suffered bruising and bleeding to his arms and hands, but no broken bones, fortunately. Police were later able to identify the Mercedes because of unique features and arrested Jones the next day as he sat in the car. Police found the victim’s personal items including insurance cards and medical card inside the Mercedes. 

The court imposed an upward departure sentence in this case, finding the following upward departure factors had been proved beyond a reasonable doubt in an enhancement fact trial: deliberate cruelty, vulnerable victim, on supervision status at time of the offense. The defendant had been convicted of two prior stranger rape offenses (Rape in the 1st Degree) in Multnomah County case 10-07-32667. The total DOC term imposed was 145 months. 

                                            ###MCDA###

HAMMOND CONVICTED OF MURDER FOR DOWNTOWN PORTLAND SHOOTING -05/01/25

 

 

Press Release                                                             For Immediate Release

 

May 1, 2025

 

Case # 23CR49895

 

Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury convicted Geoffrey Edward Hammond today on charges of Murder in the second degree for killing Ryan Martin and Attempted Murder in the second degree for shooting Sam Gomez. The incident that happened in downtown Portland on October 11, 2023.

 

This was the second trial on the murder and attempted murder charges. In December of 2024, a different jury convicted Hammond of Assault in the first degree with a firearm and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a firearm, but it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charges of Murder in the second degree and Attempted Murder in the second degree. 

 

Brad Kalbaugh prosecuted both trials for the state - first as a deputy district attorney for Multnomah County and then as a special deputy district attorney from the Oregon Deparment of Justice where he is currently employed. 

 

After the guilty verdicts, Kalbaugh said “The Martin family finally has found justice. Nothing Sam Gomez or Ryan Martin did that day warranted Hammond’s deadly reaction.”
 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Detective Ryane Foote for his excellent work on this case. We’d also like to thank Dr. Brandon Maughan of OHSU. Finally, thanks to MCDA Victim Advocate Allison Miller for the kindness and compassion they poured into the victims in this case.

 

THE FACTS:

 

According to an Affidavit of Probable Cause and witness testimony at trial, the incident began October 11, 2023 at 4:30pm. Hammond was driving a black Mercedes Benz for Uber and was stopped in front of the Moxy Hotel on SW Alder, partially blocking a lane of traffic at rush hour. Ryan Martin was driving a Toyota Tundra and was directly behind Hammond and was headed home to watch his daughter’s soccer game. Martin said something out the window to Hammond as his truck squeezed by Hammond’s car, and Hammond responded by giving him the middle finger. Martin quickly stopped his truck on the other side of the intersection and walked back to confront Hammond who had secretly begun loading a firearm. Within 1 second of Martin reaching the driver’s side window of the Mercedes Benz, Hammond rolled down the window and immediately shot Martin in the chest at close range The bullet narrowly missed his heart but pierced his left lung and his spine before exiting out the opposite side of his body and shattering a window at the Moxy hotel. Martin fell to the ground and landed on his back, unable to move. Hammond tried to shoot him a second time but the gun malfunctioned. Witnesses described watching Hammond try to fix his gun while saying, “You’re lucky I didn't shoot you in the heart.” Video shows more than 2 full minutes passed while Martin lay in the street dying next to the defendant's car while Hammond did nothing to help. 

 

As this was happening, Sam Gomez stumbled upon the scene. Gomez was attending a conference of the National Organization of Minority Architects at a nearby hotel. He saw Martin on the ground and Hammond seated in his car with a gun in his hand. Gomez held up his cell phone to take a picture of what he was seeing and was immediately shot in the leg by Hammond, who slowly drove away. In a phone call to 911 Hammond admitted to shooting both men and said he felt justified in doing so because Martin menaced him and because Gomez might have had a weapon. Gomez had been holding a cup of coffee and his cell phone.  Both Gomez and Martin were unarmed. 

 

Hammond faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the murder conviction. 

 

He is scheduled to be sentenced Jun 6, 2025 at 1:30pm by Judge Jenna Plank. 

 

                                          ###MCDA###

GRAND JURY INDICTS ADDITIONAL MEMBER OF BURGLARY RING ALLEGED TO HAVE TARGETED MORE THAN 100 PORTLAND AREA BUSINESSES (Photo) -04/29/25

April 29, 2025                                                        PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CASE # 25CR22886

A Multnomah County Grand Jury indicted Jeremiah Allen Morgan (DOB 8/31/1982) on April 24, 2025 for multiple commercial burglaries committed in the Portland metropolitan area in February and March of 2025.

Deputy District Attorney Alexander Garcia filed an Affidavit of Probable Cause, which states the Portland Police Bureau continues to investigate a number of commercial burglaries that have occurred in Portland since July 2024.  Video surveillance shows the burglaries are committed by an organized crime ring that targets restaurants, bars, lounges, and other commercial spaces.  Portland Police Bureau Acting Detective Consider Vosu has positively identified Morgan as one of the ten subjects involved in this crime ring.

The Affidavit of Probable Cause details burglaries alleged to have been committed by Morgan at Burger King, Victorico’s Mexican Food, TPK Brewing, and The Daily Planet.

Morgan is currently in custody out-of-state.

Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in court.

                                                                                                       ###MCDA###

MAN WITH LENGTHY CRIMINAL HISTORY CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE BURLARIES OF PORTLAND AREA BUSINESSES. (Photo) -04/29/25

4/29/25                                                                                                PRESS RELEASE

Case # 25CR21699

On April 18, 2025, A Multnomah County Grand Jury indicted Tyler William Long, (DOB 08/08/1992) on multiple charges including Burglary in the First Degree. Long is accused of breaking into vacant storefronts sharing walls with businesses he intended to target, then sawing through the interior wall separating the storefronts to gain access to valuable merchandise. 

Long was arraigned on April 25, 2025.

Prosecutor Andrew MacMillan filed notice with the court that the state would be asking for an upward departure in sentencing if the defendant is found guilty. 

Find the Affidavit of Probable Cause to Support Continued Detention of Defendant is attached.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty. 

                                                                        ###MCDA###

 

MAN WHO INTENTIONALLY RAN DOWN PEDESTRIAN WITH HIS TRUCK SENT TO PRISON FOR 17.5 YEARS -04/27/25

April 27, 2025

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Judge Andrew Lavin followed the State and victim’s family recommendation and sentenced Frederick Deatric Moore to 17.5 years in prison on April 25, 2025. 

He’ll serve 10 years for Manslaughter in the First Degree and another 7.5 years for Attempted Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli said: “I am grateful that Judge Lavin imposed the maximum sentence allowed by law and recognized the impact Moore’s action had on both victims in this case.”

Below is our earlier release from Moore’s conviction which has more context.

GUILTY VERDICT IN TRIAL OF MAN CHARGED WITH INTENTIONALLY RUNNING DOWN A PEDESTRIAN WITH HIS TRUCK NEAR EASTPORT PLAZA.

3/13/25

A Multnomah County jury today convicted Frederick Moore on multiple charges connected to the death of a pedestrian on June 6, 2022. 

The jury convicted Moore of Manslaughter in the First Degree, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver- in this count an injury was involved,  Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver- in this count property damage was involved.

THE FACTS:

On June 6, 2022, Vincent Timothy was walking northbound on SE 82nd Street. Frederick

Moore had already turned into the parking lot of Eastport Plaza. When Timothy emerged from behind some buildings, Moore moved his vehicle onto SE Center St and waited about 30 feet behind the stop sign. As Timothy began walking on the sidewalk near the truck, Moore quickly accelerated and struck Timothy, who was dragged under Moore’s GMC Canyon. Timothy sustained significant injuries. Moore continued to drive across the street, conducted a U-turn and returned now facing eastbound. Witness Todd Henderson saw the incident and began yelling at the driver that he had killed the man. Moore then accelerated and aimed the truck at Henderson. Henderson jumped out of the way, but his bicycle was run over by Moore’s truck. Moore conducted another U-Turn and exited his truck.  A citizen followed Moore’s vehicle and the license plate was relayed to 911. 

Portland Police Bureau Detectives quickly learned that the suspect vehicle was registered to Moore’s wife.  Detectives executed a search warrant on June 7, 2022 to seize the suspect truck.  Detectives noticed damage that corresponded to evidence left at the scene.  

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli prosecuted the case for the state.

“It was an incredibly violent act– hitting someone with your truck then aiming for a witness who shouted at you, is shocking. We still don't have a reason for why this happened. It leaves the family with a lot of questions. The fact that he is already a convicted murderer whose sentence ended in 2018, just four years before this incident is astounding,” said Kyle-Castelli.

“This is incredibly tragic. The deceased victim’s family is kind. The victim that survived was dedicated to seeing justice for the deceased man he did not know. I hope these convictions give them some level of closure,” Kyle-Castelli said. 

The District Attorney’s office would like to thank DA Investigator Colby Painter, DA Investigator Kirk Tonkin, and, DA Victim’s Advocate Allison Miller who did a phenomenal job helping the family during this difficult time.  The District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank Portland Police Bureau Detective Eric McDaniel, who remained dedicated to seeking justice for the victims in this case.

Frederick Moore is in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced April 25, 2025 at 9am.

He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.

MAN FACES 70 MONTHS PRISON AFTER CONVICTION FOR SHOOTING ACROSS A PARKING LOT AND HITTING ANOTHER MAN (Photo) -04/24/25

April 24, 2025

CASE# 23CR53244 

Portland, OR-A Multnomah County Jury convicted Tyree Deonte Scott of several charges related to a shooting outside The Lounge, a strip club in NE Portland. 

The defendant was convicted of: 

• Assault in the 2nd Degree with a Firearm 

• Assault in the 2nd Degree with a Firearm 

• Unlawful Use of a weapon (discharge at a person) 

• Unlawful Use of a Weapon (discharge at a vehicle)

• Discharge of a Firearm in the City

The defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 70 months in prison. 

Deputy District Attorney Andrew Wood prosecuted the case for the state. After the conviction he said: “The defendant imposed senseless gun violence upon the victim in this case. The victim will continue to live with the physical and emotional injuries he has suffered from this incident, but I believe the verdict of the jury will provide him with a sense that justice has been served.”

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Primary Detective Jennifer Pierce, (ECST Detectives Division). In addition, MCDA investigators Nathan Tobey and Heather Hughes played important roles in the investigation of the case. We’d also like to thank Victim Advocates Nang Dunn, Rocio Peguero, and Suzanne Rapgnani. All greatly contributed to the case.

THE FACTS:

On May 23, 2023 a man was out with a friend at a strip club. They were joined by two of the friend’s family members and all four eventually went to a second strip club on NE Columbia Boulevard in Portland. While at the second location, Tyree Scott was cut off from drinking by the bartender because he was becoming belligerent. Eventually all four men left the club and as the victim was driving away, Scott pulled out a gun and fired a single shot at the victim from about 70 feet away, breaking the driver’s side window glass and hitting the victim in the left hand.

The victim drove himself to the Salmon Creek hospital.

                                                                                            ###MCDA###

MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SLASHING THE THROAT OF HIS INTIMATE PARTNER IN FRONT OF THEIR DAUGHTER (Photo) -04/23/25

Date: 4/23/25

Case #: 21CR27231     

Portland, OR-Manuel Jesus Huchin-Interian pled guilty Friday April 18, 2025 to Assault in the Second Degree Constituting Domestic Violence. 

Under Ballot Measure 11, he will be sentenced to 70 months in prison and three years post prison supervision. 

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Robin Beck Skarstad prosecuted the case for the state. She noted that Huchin-Interian accepted the plea offer the afternoon before his case went to trial. 

She said: "This case underscores the devastating impact domestic violence has on children in the home.  The victim’s young daughter showed bravery and resilience that truly inspires us to work hard every day to interrupt the cycle of abuse and to keep families safe.” 

The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office would like to thank the Gresham Police Department, particularly the lead investigator Sabrina Homewytewa, who is now with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and MCDA Victim Advocate Rocio Peguero for their compassion and empathy in helping the victims of this case. 

THE FACTS:

On June 7, 2021, police were called to a family home in Gresham by numerous 911 callers, including a call from the couple’s 10-year-old daughter who reported that her parents were arguing and dad stabbed mom. The 10-year old reported that she grabbed a knife herself and tried to stab the defendant but the knife was too dull so she dropped it and ran to her room with her little siblings and locked the door. She emerged whtn defendant left and stayed on the line with 911, rendering aid to her mom.  When police arrived, they found the victim "lifeless,” face down in a pool of blood, with a deep 8-inch cut to her neck. It was unclear whether she was going to survive but she did. The victim later told police the defendant had accused her of cheating and took a knife and cut her throat. While doing so he said he was going to "finish her" and then "finish the kids." Huchin-Interian fled and was later located and arrested in San Francisco in March 2024. 

Sentencing is set for Monday, April 28 at 1:00.

                                ###MCDA###

MAN SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING HIS STEP DAUGHTER STARTING AT AGE 9. (Photo) -04/23/25

CASE # 23CR29179

Portland, OR- Multnomah County Judge Kelly Skye on Friday, April 18, 2025 sentenced Zenn Matthew Vicknair to 420 months in prison (35  years) for sexually abusing his stepdaughter over multiple years. 

Judge Kyle convicted Vicknair after a bench trial on May 31, 2024 but his sentencing was delayed for nearly a year by a variety of factors.

Vicknair was convicted on two counts of Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, two counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, and five counts of Sex Abuse in the First Degree. The abuse began when the stepdaughter was 9 years old. 

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Robin Skarstad prosecuted the case for the state. After the sentencing she said: 

“The 35 year sentence is an acknowledgement of the repeated instances of egregious sexual abuse committed by the defendant against the most vulnerable of victims. We are so grateful for the strength this now young-woman showed in seeking justice and safety for our community and hope that this verdict brings her some peace.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detective Kathryne Manus for her patient work with this victim over many years.  

MCDA would also like to acknowledge the kind and caring work done by MCDA Victim Advocate Alie Aguilera on this case.

THE FACTS:

The facts brought out in trial proved incidents of sexual assault that started when the child was just 9 years old, and continued for years, allegedly even after the family moved to Renton, Washington in 2012. Vicknair stepped into the victim’s need for love and affection and filled it with pervasive, almost normalized sexual abuse for years of her young life – destroying her sense of self and the bonds of her family. The abuse first was reported in 2016, when the victim’s mother called the Department of Human Services hotline to report that her then 15-year old had disclosed ongoing sexual contact with the defendant.  After learning the defendant had attempted suicide and was experiencing seizures, the victim recanted the allegations during a therapy session.  The case was reopened in 2021 when the victim reached out to law enforcement concerned for her younger brother’s welfare.  

                                     ###MCDA###

RAPIST CONVICTED ON ALL COUNTS AFTER RETRIAL FOLLOWING NON UNANIMOUS JURY 30 YEARS AGO -04/18/25

April 18, 2025

Portland, OR- A Multnomah County jury today found James Donald Jackson (dob May 19, 1964)  guilty on charges of Rape in the First Degree and Sex Abuse in the First Degree, which stemmed from an incident that occurred in June of 1994. 

The case was retried because the jury who heard the case in 1995  did not return unanimous convictions on all counts. Some were unanimous and some were not.

In 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled in Ramos v. Louisiana, that the Sixth Amendment’s right to a jury trial requires a unanimous verdict on every count in state criminal trials. As a result, significant convictions have been overturned, necessitating new trials when public safety and victim protection is impacted by the reversals.

The jury verdict today was unanimous. 

Deputy District Attorneys Jazmyn Ortiz and Chris Rothfus prosecuted the case for the state. 

After the verdict Rothfus said: “This verdict is a testament to the victim's strength and courage to come back to court more than 30 years later and tell the jury this crime did happen, to hold James Donald Jackson accountable and to ensure that he cannot hurt anyone else.”

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero supervises the prosecutors on the case and followed it closely.

After the verdict, she said:

“We are extremely thankful that the jury was clearly able to see the terror experienced by Ms. Countryman in 1994. She has shown extraordinary strength both when she was an 18 year old girl, and now more than 30 years later in holding her rapist accountable.”

“I am exceptionally proud of our deputies for the work put into this case and we’re thankful for the good work of the Portland Police Detectives back in 1994. I’m also thankful for the willingness of Ms. Countryman and all the witnesses to come back to ensure that justice is done and a dangerous individual is kept off the streets.”

The victim is Amy Countryman. She has given us permission to use her name here. She arrived in Portland back in 1994 from Indiana. She moved to Portland because she had friends here and was hoping to find a job and start her future. She met the defendant at Pioneer Courthouse Square and he seemed nice.

Then he took her to a playground, threatened her with a gun and raped her. 

After the verdict today Amy Countryman said:

“I would like to thank the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and notably Melissa Marrero, DDA’s Jazmyn Ortiz and Chris Rothfus, as well as Victim Advocate Suzanne Rapagnani for their incredible perseverance, hard work, and support as they fought to keep rapist James Donald Jackson behind bars. Portland is a safer place thanks to them! Going through this trial is one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I am so grateful for all their work and care.”

After his original convictions for these crimes Jackson was sentenced as a Dangerous Offender and could have been held in prison more than 50 years,  potentially until 2048. If he was found not guilty of these charges in this current trial, he could have been released by the end of this year.

With the guilty verdicts, he will now have another Dangerous Offender hearing at a later date.

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Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Announces Launch Of Veterans Treatment Court -04/17/25

                                                                                                4/17/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR- The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce the official launch of the Multnomah County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a specialized court designed to support justice-involved veterans through treatment, accountability, and community support.

Following two years of collaboration and planning, the VTC is now fully operational and actively accepting participants.

Air Force veteran Judge Christopher Ramras will preside over the court. Representing the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is Deputy District Attorney Chris Huettemeyer, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran. Defense representation will be provided by attorneys from Metropolitan Public Defenders and Multnomah Defenders, Inc., both of whom have also shown strong support for the initiative.

Staffed by a team with deep ties to military service, the VTC is built on the belief that honoring the sacrifices of our veterans means ensuring they receive the resources and care they need. Court sessions will be held every other Thursday at 1:30 PM.

The Veterans Treatment Court is grounded in the philosophy that public safety is best served by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior among qualifying veterans—particularly untreated trauma, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges. By offering treatment-focused supervision rather than incarceration, the VTC aims to break the cycle of reoffending and create lasting change.

“The goal is to help veterans change the behaviors that led to their involvement in the justice system,” said DDA Chris Huettemeyer. “This program gives them the structure and support they need to address mental health and substance use issues, while holding them accountable in a meaningful way. It’s a way of turning ‘thank you for your service’ into real action.”

Huettemeyer added:

“I’m very excited to be part of this Veterans Treatment Court. I did 20 years in the Army as a helicopter pilot and deployed four times. This program honors our victims, improves public safety, and gives our veterans a chance to address the issues that brought them here. The collaborative nature of this court—between prosecutors, defense attorneys, the judge, and service providers—is what will make it successful.”

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez echoed that sentiment:

“In my 25 years as a prosecutor, I’ve seen many cases involving veterans where I knew services were out there—I just wished we had a way to connect them. This court makes that connection. It’s about more than accountability; it’s about building a pathway to healing, both for the individual and for our community.”

The Multnomah County Veterans Treatment Court stands as a commitment to those who served, and a recognition that supporting their successful reintegration makes all of us safer and stronger.

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