HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 8, 2021, Judge Erik Buchér found Marvin Joe Randall guilty of four counts of compelling prostitution and two counts of promoting prostitution. On March 30, 2021, Judge Buchér sentenced the defendant to 70 months in prison, ordered he register as a sex offender and that he undergo 10 years of post-prison supervision upon his release. Mr. Randall’s convictions stem from his role in sexually trafficking the 17-year-old victim in early 2018. Deputy District Attorney Marie Atwood prosecuted the case against Mr. Randall.

In March of 2018, investigators with the Beaverton Police Department learned that the victim in this case, a minor at the time, was being advertised on prostitution websites. Further investigation revealed the victim’s own relatives were trafficking her for money in the Oregon and Washington area.

Mr. Randall, a family friend, also helped facilitate the victim’s participation in prostitution. Mr. Randall posted explicit advertisements of the victim to prostitution websites, which led to her further victimization at the hands of adult men. The defendant also established a bank account so that he could be compensated with prostitution proceeds. Mr. Randall and four other adults have now been convicted for crimes relating to their exploitation of this victim.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is a proud member of the Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force. Launched in 2018, this task force brings law enforcement and community groups together to help combat human trafficking.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in this case, as well as the Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force and Detective Chad Opitz of the Beaverton Police Department. Additionally, this office wishes to recognize the compassion of a key witness. This witness became so moved by the victim’s plight that they donated their witness fees to Safety Compass, a local nonprofit that provides resources and support to victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. Safety Compass is also a member of the Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The following is a joint statement from District Attorney Kevin Barton of the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff Pat Garrett of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office regarding the riot declared by the Tigard Police Department on Thursday, January 7, 2021:

While we respect the right to free speech and peaceful assembly afforded under the First Amendment, we will not tolerate illegal behavior demonstrated by some individuals in Tigard on Thursday night. Rioting, vandalism and property destruction are criminal acts and will be prosecuted in Washington County. We stand with the people and business owners of Tigard whose property was damaged in last night’s riot. 

As business owners continue to grapple with the economic impacts of COVID-19, they should not also be dealing with rioting, vandalism and property destruction.

The Tigard Police Department is now investigating any and all criminal acts associated with Thursday’s riot. The Washington County District Attorney’s Office will aggressively prosecute cases referred to our office by Tigard police.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 7, 2021, Tanner Griffin Mitchell pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon in connection to a July 27, 2019 incident. Additionally, Mr. Mitchell also pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary stemming from a July 3, 2020 incident. Judge Oscar Garcia sentenced Mr. Mitchell to a total of 90 months in prison. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted these cases against the defendant.

On July 27, 2019, Mr. Mitchell entered the backyard of a home in Beaverton, Oregon and confronted the homeowner who happened to be outside at the time. The homeowner didn’t recognize the defendant and later told police he had no right to be on his property. When the victim told the defendant to leave, Mr. Mitchell pulled a large, machete-style knife and held it above the victim’s head in a threatening manner. The victim then ran inside the home and immediately called police.

Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded and located the defendant a short distance away. Mr. Mitchell claimed he was invited to the home which the victim denied. Deputies located the knife on the defendant and placed him under arrest.

While Mr. Mitchell was out of custody pending trial on the case above, he committed a second crime. On July 3, 2020, Mr. Mitchell, without permission, entered the apartment belonging to a woman known to him. He immediately pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded she hand over all her money. The defendant then took a small sum of cash and a cell phone before exiting the apartment.

Hillsboro police responded and located the defendant a few blocks away. He initially refused to comply with commands to surrender and at one point he reached into his waistband. Police were able to subdue him and place him under arrest. They then located a loaded handgun with a live round in the chamber.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Hillsboro Police Department on these cases. This office also wishes to acknowledge the bravery of both victims who immediately reported the defendant’s crimes to police.  The robbery victim also prepared a victim impact statement which SDDA Brown read aloud in the courtroom. 

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

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On December 16, 2020, the Oregon District Attorney's Association released this statement regarding Ballot Measure 11. The ODAA also released these survey results after polling 600 Oregonians to gather their thoughts on Ballot Measure 11. 

The following is a statement from Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton on this matter:

“As an elected District Attorney, I respect the will of the people, whether they express that will as jurors at a trial or voters at the ballot box.  Oregonians overwhelmingly supported Measure 11 in 1994 and again in 2000 and their support continues in 2020.  In the first two decades after the passage of Measure 11, violent crime in Oregon dropped by over half.  While I support responsible conversations to ensure our sentencing laws reflect our current needs and values, I believe that repealing Measure 11 minimum sentences for violent felonies will make Oregonians less safe and is contrary to the will of Oregon voters.”