HILLSBORO, Ore.- On March 16, 2022, Judge Andrew Erwin found Luis Arturo Cinencio-Gonzalez guilty of three counts of first-degree rape, seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of first-degree sodomy, and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse in a bench trial. On April 27, 2022, Judge Erwin sentenced the defendant to 630 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Sara Loebner prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

In January of 2021, one of the defendant’s three victims reported that he abused her years prior. She also told Beaverton police that another child was abused by the defendant during the same time. Investigators contacted the second victim who confirmed the abuse and provided additional details. During the investigation, a third victim was also identified. 

The first victim to come forward exchanged text messages with the defendant in which he admitted to the abuse and apologized for his actions. Investigators also spoke to the defendant after he was arrested. He again admitted to the abuse. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victims in the case for their courage and participation in the court process. This office also thanks Beaverton police and the Oregon Department of Human Services for their work.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On March 15, 2022, a Washington County jury convicted Michael Stuart Ross of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of solicitation to commit first-degree murder. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeff Lesowski and Deputy District Attorney David Pitcher prosecuted the case against the defendant before Judge Ted Sims. 

On May 10, 2018, Mr. Ross murdered his 73-year-old mother inside the Tualatin, Oregon home they shared, by stabbing her and bludgeoning her with a steel pipe. He then violently attacked his adult brother with the pipe. Fortunately, the defendant’s brother escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house where they called 9-1-1. 

Tualatin police and Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. Officers ordered Mr. Ross to exit the home which he did without incident. They discovered the victim’s body and arrested the defendant.

While in custody at the Washington County Jail, the defendant befriended another inmate and confessed to killing his mother. He then offered to pay the inmate tens of thousands of dollars if he murdered the defendant’s two brothers once he was released on bail. The defendant anticipated a large inheritance from his mother’s estate and wished to prevent their testimony against him. The inmate alerted authorities and fully cooperated with the investigation.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Tualatin Police Department including Detective Kevin Winfield, the Washington County Major Crimes Team, and the Oregon State Police for their work on this case. 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 1, 2022, at 8:15 a.m. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On March 4, 2022, a Washington County jury found Hector Moises Estrada-Vargas guilty of two counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. On April 19, 2022, Judge Brandon Thompson sentenced the defendant to 200 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Sara Loebner prosecuted the case.

This is a historical sexual abuse case involving two victims known to the defendant. The abuse took place decades ago but was not reported until 2020 when the defendant attempted to contact one of the victims. The victim mistakenly believed the defendant lived outside the country and decided to report the abuse when she realized he was still living in the area. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim for reporting this abuse. This office also thanks Hillsboro police, including Detective Megan Townsend, for their work.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On March 4, 2022, a Washington County jury found Gavin Lloyd Klusendorf guilty of two counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andy Pulver prosecuted the case against the defendant before Judge Andrew Erwin. 

While the abuse took place between 2016 and 2017, it was not reported until June of 2020 when the victim confided in a friend. That friend urged her to report the abuse to an adult which she did. That adult contacted Hillsboro police and an investigation was launched. The victim gave additional details on the abuse to investigators and experts at CARES Northwest. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim in this case for having the courage to report this abuse. This office also thanks Hillsboro police, CARES Northwest, and the Oregon Department of Human Services for their work. 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 20, 2022. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with various community and law enforcement partners, is excited to announce the launch of the Washington County Mental Health Diversion Pilot Program (MHDPP).

This new specialty court program will work in conjunction with Washington County’s Mental Health Court. It is intended for non-violent offenders who are charged with a qualifying misdemeanor crime where mental illness is a significant factor in their criminal behavior. This new program is possible because of a change in the law through SB 218 (2021) that increases the ability to offer this type of specialty court program.

Participants in the program will be supervised by the Washington County Community Corrections Department. They will be ordered to comply with all conditions of probation including enrollment in appropriate mental health treatment. Once a participant successfully completes the program, they are eligible to ask a judge to dismiss their misdemeanor charges. 

“I am excited to launch this new specialty program after many years of behind-the-scenes work,” said District Attorney Kevin Barton. “We had to go to Salem to get the law changed, and now we can offer this important resource to community members with mental health needs.”

Judge Rebecca Guptill will preside over this program. The MHPDD would not have been possible without the support of the Washington County Circuit Court, community corrections, sheriff’s office, Washington County Adult and Mental Health Services, various mental health specialists, the defense bar, and this office. More information on the program, including details on how to apply, can be found here.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to report that its child support division is the top-collecting division of its kind in Oregon. The DA’s Office child support division assists with the establishment, administration, and collection of child support orders to help children and parents in Washington County. 

According to figures provided by the state, the Washington County DA’s Office child support division collected more than $24 million in current obligations for children and parents during the federal fiscal year of September 2020 to September 2021. Including both current obligations and those in arrears, that number jumps to more than $31 million. That is the highest collection amount statewide. 

What’s more, the Washington County DA’s Office child support division is one of only three across Oregon to meet federal performance benchmarks to qualify for 100% of available federal matching funds, which saves local county resources. And the Washington County DA’s Office child support division continues to build on this momentum as it posted the highest collection numbers in the state during the first quarter of this federal fiscal year. 

Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton says the work of the DA’s child support division is critical to supporting children and parents in our community.

“Our DA’s Office child support division works to help parents and children receive the court-ordered support they need.  Ensuring kids have a stable home environment helps keep Washington County safe, which is the mission of the District Attorney,” DA Barton said. 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Ana Maria Carter oversees the Child Support Division. SDDA Carter says these figures reflect the hard work of her team.

“Our unit’s unfaltering dedication to the families of Washington County helps ensure that our county’s children have the support they need to grow in a stable and safe environment.”  

In addition to collecting child support funds, the Washington County DA’s Office child support division also helps parents establish paternity, establish a child support or medical support order, or modify an existing order. More information can be found here.