The following article was written by Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton

HILLSBORO, Ore.- I received a phone call not long ago from a young woman. The call was unexpected, as was the question she asked, “Do you remember me?”

As the District Attorney for Washington County, Oregon’s second most populous county, I have interacted with tens of thousands of people over the course of my career. I cannot honestly say that I remember each of them. But I absolutely did remember her.

The last time we had spoken was many years earlier during a difficult criminal trial. At that time, she was a thirteen-year-old victim and I was prosecuting her step-father for horrific sexual crimes he had committed against her. During the trial, I stood in court and announced that she would be my next witness. But when I walked into the hallway to get her, she was gone.

What do you do when your key witness is suddenly missing at the pivotal moment in the middle of a trial? Without her testimony, no matter how scared she might be, the case would fall apart and be dismissed. My mind raced as I frantically looked in the hallway for her, while the judge and jury waited in the courtroom for me.

I eventually found her hiding in the bathroom, afraid to come out to testify. No matter how much I reasoned and pleaded with her, she refused to budge. Finally, out of desperation I gave her my hand and asked her to take it so we could walk into the courtroom together. Surprisingly, she did. She approached the witness stand, took her oath to tell the truth, and revealed to the jury what had happened to her. Her step-father was convicted and she and I both moved on with our lives. I continued to prosecute criminals and eventually was elected as District Attorney. She continued to grow up.

And then many years later we reconnected with her phone call and her question, “Do you remember me?”

She called asking to interview me for a college assignment. We agreed to meet in person and when the interview finished, we talked about that moment when she was hiding in the bathroom. I asked her what she was thinking when she changed her mind and took my hand. Her response was startling.

She told me that in that instant, she knew she had a choice to make. She could stay in the bathroom and feel safe that day, but be scared the rest of her life. Or, she could take my hand and feel scared that day, but be safe for the rest of her life.

Safety is a fundamental right. Unlike the rights to speech, religion or property, the right to safety is not explicitly a constitutionally guaranteed right. But it is every bit as important. Without safety our society cannot function and our constitutional rights have no meaning.

Safety means being able to live, work and raise a family without fear of crime. It is knowing that when a crime occurs, justice will follow. When you call the police, they will come. When they come, they will protect. And when they protect by making an arrest, the district attorney will prosecute the criminal to safeguard the victim and the community.

These principles may seem self-evident. But we live in a time when they are under attack. We face extremists who advocate for defunding police, abolishing prisons and tearing down our public safety system. And we endure leaders who spread partisan rhetoric rather than demonstrating political courage.

The task of ensuring safe communities is more difficult today than perhaps any other time in our state’s modern history. Challenges from skyrocketing addiction, uncontrolled homelessness and dramatic increases in crime are spreading. In Portland alone, we have seen an unprecedented surge in violence. According to the Portland Police Bureau, there were 1,240 shootings during the past 12 months, compared to 388 during the calendar year 2019. And there have been 62 homicides in Portland so far in 2021, putting the city on a path to break the homicide record, again. While it might be tempting to assume that Portland’s problem will remain isolated, as the district attorney in the neighboring county, I can assure you that crime does not stop at the county line.

Despite these grim facts and difficult environment, this remains a struggle that we can win. I frequently hear people openly wonder why someone doesn’t do something. As a district attorney I can share that I am working with other public safety leaders to do all we can. But in our participatory system of government, where we share a common obligation to be informed and take action, our leaders need your help and, in some instances, your demand for action.

Just as that young victim of mine who was hiding in the bathroom recognized the need to stand up for her safety, I believe Oregonians who understandably are scared and appalled at the current state of affairs, must join together to ensure all of our safety.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office announced today that after careful consideration, a Washington County Grand Jury delivered a “not true bill” on two charges presented for consideration, and opted to move forward with two charges stemming from a deadly shooting on September 3, 2021. 

On October 4, 2021, the grand jury was presented with four charges for consideration: Second Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. The grand jury declined the charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in the shooting death of Mark Eugene Stadamire. However, the grand jury did indict Kai Sebastian Stevenson on two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, relating to the unlawful possession of a concealed handgun.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the members of the grand jury for their thoughtful consideration of this matter.  

Media contact information
Stephen Mayer
Public Information Officer
971-708-8219

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On September 22, 2021, a Washington County jury found Diana Rodriguez guilty of three counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy, second-degree rape, two counts of second-degree sodomy and four counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct. On November 2, 2021, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Erik Buchér sentenced the defendant to 375 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted this case. 

DDA Lewman proved in court that the defendant sexually abused two children for many years. The abuse began when the victims were young children and continued into their teenage years.

The abuse came to light when one of the victims called police in May of 2019. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating. The victims were interviewed by experts at CARES Northwest where they gave additional information on the abuse they endured.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the investigative work of Detective Mark Povolny of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. This office also commends the work of CARES Northwest and the Oregon Department of Human Services. Finally, this prosecution would not have been possible without the bravery shown by the victim in reporting the abuse to law enforcement.

A co-defendant, Cupertino Juarez-Hernandez, was also convicted for his role in these crimes and was sentenced to 55 years in prison. 

In addition to her prison sentence, Judge Buchér also ordered the defendant to undergo lifetime post-prison supervision, ordered she register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment. She is also barred from having any contact with her victims. 

Media contact information
Stephen Mayer
Public Information Officer
971-708-8219

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On September 15, 2021, Angel Santana Miranda, age 20, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse and two counts of luring a minor. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted the case before Washington County Circuit Court Judge Eric Butterfield. 

In 2019, law enforcement tracked child pornography being downloaded from the defendant’s residence in Forest Grove, Oregon. After obtaining the necessary warrants, experts with the Washington County Digital Forensics Laboratory examined Mr. Miranda’s digital devices and discovered a cache of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials. Mr. Miranda had more than 10,000 images and videos of children ranging in age from infant to teens. Additionally, the defendant had an extensive chat history between himself and a 14-year-old girl living out of state. They exchanged nude images and videos and described sexually and violently explicit fantasies involving children and infants. Investigators were able to identify and contact two of the victims depicted in photos and videos. 

The defendant admitted to police that he downloaded the files over the course of five years. Law enforcement were able to identify and contact two of the victims depicted in the videos and photos on his devices. 

“Unfortunately, our office prosecutes a great deal of cases involving individuals who are downloading and sharing graphic child sexual abuse material,” said DDA Meisel. “What set this case apart, however, was the extremely graphic role-play fantasies he was engaging in with a child, about her and other children, paired with the fact that he had researched flights and travel logistics to get to the child’s out-of-state home.”

In July of 2020, while the defendant already knew he was under investigation, law enforcement received several cyber tips alerting them to additional concerning online behavior between Mr. Miranda and a young girl. Investigators confirmed that Mr. Miranda was again interacting inappropriately with the teen.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the Forest Grove Police Department for their work on this case. This office also acknowledges the Washington County Digital Forensic Laboratory for its work in securing vital digital evidence. 

This office also urges parents to monitor the online activity of their children. For additional information on digital threats facing children and how to guard against them, please visit our website

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2021.  

Media contact information
Stephen Mayer
Public Information Officer
971-708-8219

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On September 8, 2021, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Erik Buchér sentenced 44-year-old Airian Jovan Misuraca to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Misuraca had been convicted by a jury in July 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 Mr. Misuraca. 

“The defendant was unanimously convicted on every count. The jury was clearly impacted by the horrific abuse the child victim had to endure,” said SDDA Brown.  

The defendant was facing a life sentence because he had been previously convicted twice of felony sex crimes against children. SDDA Brown urged the court to impose a true-life sentence based on the severity of the crimes, the defendant’s lengthy criminal history, and his lack of any remorse for his actions.  

Judge Buchér ultimately agreed with these arguments. When announcing the defendant would serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole, he stated his intent is to ensure the defendant is incarcerated for the rest of his life to protect the community. Judge Buchér also indicated there were no mitigating factors to justify a lesser sentence. 

The victim’s family was present in the courtroom and urged the Judge to impose a true-life sentence. Also attending the hearing was another person who reported being raped by the defendant many years ago, when she was 15. That case had been investigated in Portland, but was not prosecuted because ultimately the victim could not be located for prosecution.

“Today, this victim was finally able to get closure to this sexual assault from years ago. She, like many victims, was reluctant to testify at the time, because she was worried she would not be believed. She showed extreme bravery facing the defendant in court today,” said SDDA Brown.

Mr. Misuraca’s current case involved multiple incidents spanning 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 seen at CARES Northwest where she gave additional details of 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.

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

Media contact information
Stephen Mayer
Public Information Officer
971-708-8219

HILLSBORO, Ore.- For the past two years, Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton has led a coalition of community members and local leaders in an effort to strengthen resources for victims of family violence.  Their goal, to co-locate child abuse and domestic violence services in a single site in Washington County, is one step closer to reality after the legislature awarded the effort $6.65 million to help purchase and renovate a building.

The funding, comprised of $6.25 million in Oregon lottery bond funds and $400,000 in American Rescue Act Plan Act (ARPA) funds, will be used to develop a new, state-of-the-art facility called the “Family Peace Center of Washington County.”

The Family Peace Center will become Oregon’s first and only facility to offer both child abuse and domestic violence services under one roof. Currently, those services are available, but are in separate locations, including locations outside of the county in Portland.

The Family Justice Center of Washington County (FJC), which currently serves domestic violence victims in Washington County, will continue doing so under the new name “Family Peace Center” once the new facility is up and running and will contain a number of nonprofit organizations.

One of these organizations is CARES Northwest, Oregon’s oldest and largest child advocacy center. CARES Northwest is currently located in Portland with a small, satellite location in Washington County. It hopes to be able to provide services to 100% of Washington County’s children and families at the new Family Peace Center.

Another such organization is the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC). A crisis services provider with the goal of educating, supporting and empowering survivors of domestic violence and their children, DVRC currently operates in the Family Justice Center and will continue to operate in the new Family Peace Center.

Together, these organizations in collaboration with multiple other nonprofits and governmental organizations, will provide trauma-informed services for victims and survivors of all forms of family violence.

“Providing these essential services for the most vulnerable members of our community in an easy-to-access location makes good sense,” said District Attorney Kevin Barton. “I see this effort as a form of criminal justice reform that has the potential to produce a generational change. Put simply, the more resources we provide to young people who have experienced trauma, the less we will need to rely on our criminal justice system when they become adults.”

The FJC, which is a 501(c)(3) organization, opened its doors in March of 2018. Current board president, Judy Willey, and Lee Dobrowolski, the former chief of police for the Hillsboro Police Department, helped bring the center to Washington County. Willey says it is essential that members of every community have access to these services all in one, safe location. 

"The Family Justice Center, along with a number of community leaders that make up the "Washington County workgroup," have been focused on the impact of trauma on children and families. Early intervention is key and through collaboration and partnership with Washington County agencies, leaders, professionals, educators and our diverse community members, we can break the cycle of child abuse and domestic violence and we can save lives. Our strong support from our elected officials, cities and businesses throughout Washington County, enables agencies to come together. The new Family Peace Center will provide families who experience any type of violence within the home the services they need all under one roof,” Willey said.   

Washington County Commissioner Jerry Willey was also instrumental in securing support for the effort. Commissioner Willey says it was the right thing to do for those who call Washington County home.

“This collaboration of service providers in combating domestic violence and helping innocent children traumatized by child abuse will be a significant benefit to families of Washington County,” Commissioner Willey said.

The coalition behind this effort is actively searching for suitable locations for the Family Peace Center. District Attorney Barton wishes to thank those who helped make this possible, especially including overwhelming support from Washington County’s elected and community leaders. Click here to see the letters of support for this effort.

Media contact information
Stephen Mayer
Public Information Officer
971-708-8219

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