HILLSBORO, Ore.- On February 18, 2022, a Washington County jury found Jorge Ulises Serrano guilty of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sodomy. On June 10, 2022, Judge Ricardo Menchaca sentenced the defendant to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Deputy District Attorney Nadya Martin prosecuted the case.

In October of 2018, the victim, who was living out of state at the time, was alerted to a concerning video posted to a pornographic website. It depicted the victim engaged in sexual activity with an unidentified man. The victim had limited memory of the encounter and had no recollection that it was recorded. 

The victim reported the video to police. Investigators found it and confirmed it depicted the victim. The video garnered more than 165,000 views. 

In November of 2018, the victim received a friend request from a stranger via social media. She accepted the defendant’s request and he began messaging her. As the two communicated, the victim realized that she met the defendant when he worked as a security guard at her apartment complex. As the communication continued, the defendant admitted that he engaged in sexual activity with her despite knowing that she was highly intoxicated. He also admitted that he committed various acts after she fell unconscious. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery shown by the victim in reporting this to authorities. This office also thanks Detective Mark Povolny and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Oregon District Attorneys Association recently announced findings from a survey conducted by Nelson Research. The polling shows Oregonians feel less safe and have concerns over public safety. While the findings may be surprising to some, they reflect a trend this office has witnessed over the past several years. 

“These poll results are consistent with what we see on a daily basis in the DA’s Office,” remarked Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “People are increasingly concerned about the rise in crime, especially as it spreads into Washington County from Portland. Oregon is facing a growing public safety crisis and protecting our community and crime victims needs to be a priority.”

The research found that when it comes to public safety, 55% of those surveyed said they feel less safe than they did two years ago. Other key findings regarding public safety include:

• 65% say safety and crime are more important today than two years ago
• 62% say the governor and legislature are “too soft” on crime
• 58% say Oregon is on the wrong track
• 58% say current policies put our communities at risk

Respondents were also asked about their support for law enforcement. 73% said they oppose defunding the police, with the majority indicating they would support hiring more officers. Other key findings include: 

• 66% oppose defunding prosecutors
• 62% support hiring more prosecutors

Oregonians contacted by Nelson Research also showed overwhelming support for the use of incarceration, with 62% saying they think jail and prison are the best ways to protect the public. The survey also found:

• 89% oppose same-day catch and release for domestic violence crimes
• 64% oppose same-day catch and release theft crimes
• 76% want their local sheriff to be able to hold violent criminals in jail without bail
• 56% oppose the governor’s early release of teenagers convicted of violent crimes
• 68% support mandatory minimum sentences for violent criminals
• 82% want victims to have notice and input before a criminal is released from jail pretrial

The full findings of the survey can be found here. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On February 9, 2022, Conner Jordan Charriere pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, attempted first-degree burglary, and stalking. He was sentenced to 80 months in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Oscar Garcia. Senior Deputy District Attorney Gina Skinner prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

In May of 2021, law enforcement received a tip that the defendant was planning to kidnap his estranged ex-girlfriend and transport her to North Carolina. The tipster reported that the defendant shared his plan with him. He said the defendant told him he purchased duct tape, zip ties, a handgun, and a device designed to decode digital padlocks. 

During that same period, the victim called police to report that she discovered the defendant attempted to break into her home after she reviewed surveillance camera footage. Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded. The victim told deputies that the defendant had been stalking her and possibly tracking her movements ever since they broke up the previous year. 

Deputies arrested the defendant and executed a search warrant on his home. Officers found packing to a GPS tracking device, a duffel bag containing a handgun and ammunition, duct tape, zip ties, and a lock decoder. They also found a list titled “The Plan” which detailed the steps needed to kidnap the victim and take her to North Carolina. Detectives later located a tracking device affixed to the car of the victim’s new boyfriend. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the tipster for reporting the defendant’s actions. This office also thanks the victim in this case for her cooperation and participation, as well as the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its work. 

In addition to his prison sentence, the defendant was also ordered to undergo three years of post-prison supervision upon his release, ordered to have no contact with the victim, and ordered to participate in mental health treatment. Mr. Charriere will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On February 9, 2022, Ramona Nyisha Washington pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted robbery, failure to perform duties of a driver to injured persons, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Kathleen Proctor then sentenced the defendant to four years in prison. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the case against Ms. Washington. 

On December 17, 2021, the defendant drove a stolen car from Portland, Oregon to Beaverton, Oregon. The defendant stopped at a liquor store where she stole more than $100 worth of alcohol. She then drove to a nearby costume store and stole more than $100 worth of wigs. 

Employees of the second business witnessed the theft and followed the defendant into the parking lot in an attempt to retrieve the stolen items. Ms. Washington refused to hand the items over and got into the stolen car. She then hit one of the employees in the leg with the car as she drove off. 

Beaverton police were called and spotted the stolen vehicle a short time later. A high-speed chase ensued. During her attempt to elude authorities, Ms. Washington slammed into at least two occupied vehicles which caused injuries to the occupants and significant property damage.

Ms. Washington crashed the vehicle and fled on foot. She was caught by police. She told officers she wasn’t from the area and was trying to get back to Portland. The defendant had similar charges pending in Multnomah County for unauthorized use of a vehicle, failure to perform duties of a driver, and fleeing or attempting to elude police. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Beaverton Police Department on this case.

In addition to her prison sentence, the defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to her victims. She will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving her sentence. 

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On February 4, 2022, a jury found Norbeto Nestor Muniz, Junior guilty of murder and first-degree abuse of a corpse. On February 8, 2022, Judge Andrew Erwin sentenced the defendant to life in prison. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey and Deputy District Attorney Bryce Bissinger prosecuted the case against the defendant.

On November 17, 2018, Beaverton police were called to a home off of SW Allen Boulevard on a report of a suspicious circumstance. Responding officers searched the home and found the body of Amy Low. Ms. Low’s body was badly burned, and she was not positively identified until January of 2019. 

Ms. Low lived at the residence with the defendant and another man. Detectives identified the defendant as a suspect in the crime. Investigators secured a search warrant and found several items of interest in the home including items which contained DNA evidence. They determined Ms. Low was beaten to death and subsequently burned in a backyard burn pile. 

The defendant was arrested with the assistance of Portland police on May 8, 2019 and was held until trial. The defendant had recently been released from prison after serving a Measure 11 sentence for first-degree robbery. 

This office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Beaverton Police Department including Detectives Chad Opitz and Maggie Brown. This office also wishes to thank the Portland Police Bureau for their assistance in apprehending the defendant.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 27, 2022, Jaime Gomez-Figueroa pleaded guilty to first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Washington County Circuit Court Judge Ricardo Menchaca then sentenced the defendant to 25 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Sara Loebner prosecuted the case against Mr. Gomez-Figueroa. 

The victim in this case is now an adult. She reported sexual abuse perpetrated by the defendant that occurred when she was a child. She recalled multiple incidents of abuse that went on for several years. 

The victim confronted the defendant with these allegations. He admitted to the abuse. Hillsboro police also interviewed Mr. Gomez-Figueroa. He confessed that he inappropriately touched and abused the victim. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in bringing these allegations forward and for participating in the court process. This office also wishes to thank the Hillsboro Police Department for their work on this case. 

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