HILLSBORO, Ore.- On August 24, 2021, Washington County Circuit Judge Janelle Wipper sentenced previously convicted sex offender Justin Nathaniel Lugo to life in prison without the possibility of parole. On May 4, 2021, Judge Wipper convicted the defendant of first-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sexual abuse in a bench trial. According to the Oregon criminal code, a defendant is subject to a presumptive life sentence without the possibility of parole on their third sentencing for a felony sex crime. The defendant was also convicted of assaulting a public safety officer while in custody for this case and of fourth-degree assault of a separate victim. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted Mr. Lugo. 

The defendant is a convicted sex offender and has multiple felony sex crime convictions involving minor victims dating back to 2006. On October 26, 2019, he sexually abused a female victim. The victim was asleep when the defendant entered her room and touched her inappropriately. She awoke to the conduct and told him to stop. The defendant claimed to be looking for a phone charger but later admitted to investigators that he did touch the victim as she slept. 

On November 16, 2019, shortly after his arrest on the sex abuse case, the defendant assaulted the victim’s boyfriend after the man confronted him for his sexual abuse of the original victim. 

On January 9, 2020, while in custody at the Washington County Jail, the defendant assaulted a jail deputy. He broke the deputy’s nose and lacerated his lip. He later admitted to the attack. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to commend the female victim for reporting this abuse and for her participation in the defendant’s trial. This office also thanks the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. 

Mr. Lugo 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.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting all members of the community equally. This office prosecutes felony crimes in the county, including bias and hate crimes. Hate crime is on the rise not just nationally, but in Oregon as well. There has been a significant increase in hate crime case referrals from law enforcement to this office over the past two years. To better serve the victims of these crimes and to hold offenders accountable, this office has applied for $300,000 in grant funding.

If awarded, the funding, provided by the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program Grant administered by the United States Department of Justice, will enable this office to launch a new Bias Crime Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). The MDT will be comprised of members from law enforcement agencies and community partner organizations. The team will meet regularly to discuss and implement strategies to combat bias crime, including trainings, education, and outreach events. Additionally, this grant funding will also enable this office to fund victim advocate positions dedicated to serving bias crimes victims. 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown will chair the MDT and will work closely with local law enforcement agencies and community partners to combat bias crime in Washington County. SDDA Brown has extensive experience prosecuting these cases and says this grant funding is key to protecting public safety.

“While there are specialized advocates assigned to support vulnerable victims of other types of crimes like child abuse, elder abuse, or sexual assault, there are no specialized advocates for bias crime victims. Having specialized support for bias crime victims will better address the complex needs these crime victims face and enable more effective prosecutions by providing culturally specific engagement,” SDDA Brown said. 

Washington County is the most diverse county in the state. District Attorney Kevin Barton hopes this development sends a strong message to historically marginalized groups in this community. 

“People have a right to live, work and raise a family in safety. And an essential aspect of being safe is feeling safe. Ensuring that our public safety system responds to hate and bias crimes to protect the safety of all of our diverse Washington County residents is critical,” said DA Barton.

If awarded, the grant funding will allow this office to staff these new positions for a duration of three years. If this office is approved for the grant, recruitment will begin shortly thereafter. Interested applicants can learn more by visiting our website

This office wishes to thank the following agencies and organizations for their support in this endeavor: the Washington County Law Enforcement Council, the Washington County Family Justice Center, the Sexual Assault Resource Center, El Programa Hispano Catolico, African Youth and Community Organization, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and Immigration and Refugee Community Organization. 

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

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. 

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

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

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

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.

 

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

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.

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

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