HILLSBORO, Ore.- On August 13, 2021, Judge Andrew Erwin found Hunter Lee James Andrews guilty of five counts of first-degree sexual abuse. On September 20, 2021, Judge Erwin sentenced the defendant to 150 months in prison under Measure 11 sentencing guidelines. Deputy District Attorney Jason Weiner prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

In May of 2020, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) received a report of abuse involving the defendant and a minor known to him. DHS contacted the Tigard Police Department which began investigating the case. Officers went to the child’s home and spoke to her about the allegations. She confirmed the allegations and gave additional details on the abuse. The victim was also seen by a trained specialist at CARES Northwest where she again described how the defendant sexually abused her on multiple occasions. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in participating in the trial against the defendant. This office also thanks DHS, Tigard police and CARES Northwest for their work on this case. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission recently awarded $424,080.20 in grant funding to the Washington County Keys to Success Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program. This funding is provided by the 2021-2023 Criminal Justice Commission Specialty Grant Program. The Keys to Success Program is designed for justice-involved, medium to high-risk youth with significant drug and alcohol problems who, if left without proper support and interventions, are at risk to recidivate. 

This program was created to hold youth offenders accountable while supporting and providing individualized direction and resources for them to make positive choices. Additionally, this program has helped countless youth to change the course of their lives for the better. 

The funds provided by the Criminal Justice Commission pay for program staff who supervise the youth and provide skill building, treatment services not covered by insurance, and training for team members.

“This important grant funding allows our Washington County Juvenile Drug Court team to continue doing their crucial work,” Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton said. “Providing increased support and resources for at-risk juveniles who are struggling with addiction is not only the right thing to do, but it also benefits our entire community.  As District Attorney for Washington County, specialty court programs like this are a priority.”

“It is a tremendous benefit to Washington County families that the Keys to Success Program, based on best practices and OJJDP’s Juvenile Drug Treatment Court guidelines, can continue to support youth with this funding from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The Juvenile Department is fully committed to the system collaboration behind this valuable resource,” said Washington County Juvenile Department Director Lynne Schroeder.

This program is a collaborative effort between the Washington County Juvenile Department, Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Metropolitan Public Defenders, Oregon Judicial Department, Washington County Health and Human Services, Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon, Latino Network and various community treatment providers. 

For more information on the Keys to Success Program, visit our website. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On July 28, 2021, after deliberating for less than thirty minutes, a Washington County jury found Jayson Harrison Burton, age 38, guilty of third-degree rape and second-degree sexual abuse. On September 28, 2021, Judge Charles Bailey sentenced the defendant to 90 days in the Washington County Jail and three years of probation. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted the case.

The victim was 14 years old when she ran away from her home in the state of Washington. She called the defendant, whom she knew through her mother, for a ride. Instead of taking her to her friend’s house as requested, the defendant drove her to a hotel in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he was living part-time. The defendant provided the minor with alcohol and marijuana and had sexual intercourse with her before driving her back to Washington the following day. He urged her not to tell anyone.

A few months later, while living in the child’s home, the defendant attempted to engage in sexual contact once again, but she refused. 

Shortly thereafter, the victim disclosed the abuse to her mother, who confronted the defendant. He admitted to the crimes and said he did not view the teenager as a child. Her mother confided in a friend who alerted law enforcement in Washington. The King County Sheriff’s Office investigated and eventually referred the case to the Hillsboro Police Department.

“Mr. Burton knew the child from the time she was 12 years old. He took advantage of a troubled teenager who trusted him and confided in him and asked him for help,” said DDA Meisel. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the victim in this case for having the bravery to report this abuse and assist with prosecution. This office also thanks Hillsboro police and their lead detective along with the King County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Sarah Gerlitz for their work.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On July 26, 2021, a Washington County jury found 44-year-old Airian Jovan Misuraca guilty of six counts of first-degree rape, nine counts of first-degree sodomy and four counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

Mr. Misuraca, who was already a convicted sex offender prior to this case, sexually abused the victim multiple times over a period of several years. In February of 2019, the victim made a disclosure of abuse to a family member who immediately alerted law enforcement. Tigard police began investigating the allegations. The victim was also taken to CARES Northwest where she gave additional details on the abuse.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in reporting these crimes and for participating in the defendant’s trial. This office also thanks Tigard police, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, CARES Northwest, the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon State Police Forensic Lab for their work on this case. 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 8, 2021. The defendant will remain in custody until that time.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On July 15, 2021, Josiah Augustine Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, involving the use of a firearm. On July 26, 2021, Judge Oscar Garcia sentenced the defendant to 70 months in prison. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the defendant. 

On September 14, 2020 the defendant requested a cab ride from Gresham, Oregon to Beaverton, Oregon. When the driver arrived, he noticed the defendant acting strangely and asked to be paid for the ride up front. The defendant pulled out cash and the driver immediately noticed a counterfeit bill. The driver then asked the defendant to give him his cell phone as collateral until the ride was complete. 

At one point during the ride, Mr. Johnson asked the victim if he had “personal protection” on him. The driver confirmed he did not have a gun. Once the ride concluded, the defendant tried to pay the driver with the counterfeit bill he spotted earlier. The driver refused to take payment and told the defendant he would not return his cell phone until he was paid properly. 

The defendant then pulled a gun and pointed it at the victim as he made threats and demanded his phone back. Fearing for his life, the victim attempted to grab the gun and the two struggled over the firearm. At some point the weapon discharged, striking the defendant in the buttocks. The victim then secured the weapon while witnesses called law enforcement.

Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. They learned the firearm was stolen. The defendant later admitted the gun was illegal.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim for their actions and participation in the court process. This office also thanks the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. 

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

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On July 16, 2021, a Washington County jury convicted Francisco-Javier Hernandez-Esteban, age 33, of 11 counts of first-degree sexual abuse. On September 9, 2021, Judge Ricardo Menchaca sentenced the defendant to 180 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

In May of 2019, one of the victims in this case told a teacher that a man she knew was abusing her. The teacher alerted the Oregon Department of Human Services which launched an investigation in tandem with the Tualatin Police Department. Over the course of the investigation, police identified the defendant and learned about a second victim in Washington County, Oregon that he was also abusing. As the investigation unfolded, detectives spoke with other children known to the defendant and learned of an additional child who also reported abuse. Charges related to that victim are pending in Clackamas County, Oregon. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victims in this case for disclosing the abuse and for having the courage to participate in the defendant’s trial. This office also thanks the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Tualatin Police Department and CARES Northwest for their work on this case.