Washington County is the most diverse county in the state, and we are proud to have a staff that reflects those we serve.

In honor of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are highlighting one of the many amazing stories our staff have to share.

Tooty Mohr was kind enough to describe the incredible sacrifices her parents made as they left Laos in search of a better life in America. Watch the video to learn more about her story and why she sought a career in public service.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On May 12, 2020, a Washington County jury found Jose Luis Torres guilty of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and four counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct. On July 1, 2020, Judge Erik Buchér sentenced the defendant to 25 years in prison. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andy Pulver prosecuted the case.

The investigation began in September of 2019 after the victim’s mother found hidden camera footage on the defendant’s phone depicting the teenaged victim. The victim’s mother immediately called Hillsboro Police. When police responded, the mother also alerted police to an incident involving the defendant and the victim from the previous year in which the victim reported inappropriate touching by the defendant.

Investigators determined the defendant purchased three hidden cameras which he placed throughout the house, including inside the victim’s room. When confronted by police, the defendant admitted to placing the cameras inside the home in what he described as an effort to keep tabs on those living there.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the investigative work of Detective Cheryl Banks and the Hillsboro Police Department.

A sentencing hearing for Mr. Torres is set for July 1, 2020. The defendant will remain in custody until that time.

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

HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is taking action to address a concerning trend in property crime committed in relation to the COVID-19 state of emergency.

This office is committed to ensuring that people and businesses are protected from all forms of crime, including theft. This is especially true as we respond to challenges related to COVID-19. Those who take advantage of our community’s residents and businesses during a state of emergency will be held fully accountable for their actions.

Generally, whether a theft is a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the value of the property stolen. However, Oregon law (ORS 164.055) allows for certain misdemeanor thefts that occur during a state of emergency to be charged at the felony level, regardless of the property value. 

Given our current state of emergency and concerns regarding property crime, the Washington County DA’s Office will charge certain misdemeanor thefts at the felony level as allowed by Oregon law. Examples of cases where felony charges may occur include but are not limited to the following:

  1. The theft directly relates to the COVID-19 emergency (such as theft of face masks or PPE);
  2. The defendant’s actions demonstrate that he/she is taking advantage of the COVID-19 emergency in order to commit the theft (such as a theft of a closed business or otherwise taking advantage of the emergency for personal gain); or,
  3. The theft was committed by a person who has committed multiple property crimes during the pandemic and otherwise meets the $100 threshold for theft in the second degree.

This office is working closely with our partners in law enforcement to monitor the situation on the ground and to respond appropriately. The Tigard Police Department’s Commercial Crime Unit is increasing patrols and outreach to businesses to respond to increases in crime.

“Burglaries in our community, particularly those targeting commercial businesses, were up 60% in April compared to April of 2019. We are also seeing a marked increase in the number of stolen vehicle reports throughout Tigard,” said Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine.

A popular Tigard auto parts store has been burglarized four times since April. Additionally, the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon has seen its member businesses impacted by this crisis. 

While law enforcement continues to protect our community during this time, we all have a role to play. This office encourages community members to support one another by reporting crimes so that law enforcement can investigate them and so this office can prosecute offenders.

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

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On May 1, 2020, a Washington County jury found Dale William Martineau guilty of two counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of menacing, second-degree theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. On May 5, 2020, Judge Andrew Erwin sentenced Mr. Martineau to 105 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Nadya Martin prosecuted the case against the defendant.

On August 22, 2016, the defendant approached a man outside his Tualatin, Oregon residence and asked him for a ride. The man went into his home to retrieve his keys but forgot that they were already inside his vehicle. Mr. Martineau then got into the vehicle and drove off. The owner tried to give chase but was unable to catch the defendant. The owner was able to help identify the defendant when police arrived.

A short time later, the defendant drove the stolen vehicle to a nearby Fred Meyer. The defendant entered the business and approached a cashier. The defendant repeatedly told the employee to open the register and demanded he give him cash from the register. He threatened to shoot the employee if he didn’t comply. The defendant lifted his shirt to show the victim what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun tucked into his pants. The cashier handed over the cash and the defendant fled the area in the stolen vehicle. Tualatin Police responded to the call and eventually used surveillance footage to confirm Mr. Martineau’s role in the robbery.

On August 29, 2016, Mr. Martineau entered another Fred Meyer location in Beaverton, Oregon. He approached a customer service representative, displayed a handgun and demanded cash. The employee refused and walked away. The defendant approached two additional workers but was rebuffed by them as well. Video surveillance obtained by investigators clearly shows the defendant displaying what appeared to be a handgun during the incident.

As the investigations continued, detectives learned the defendant was in Yamhill County, Oregon. Detectives drove to the location and attempted to apprehend the suspect. Mr. Martineau refused to respond or exit the trailer for several hours before he eventually surrendered to authorities. The owner of the stolen truck was able to recover his vehicle.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the Tualatin Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Newberg-Dundee Police Department and Oregon State Police for their work on this case.

In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Erwin also ordered the defendant pay $690 in restitution to his victims and undergo three years of post-prison supervision upon his release. Mr. Martineau 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.- On April 8, 2020, Benjamin Hunter Garland pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card and second-degree theft. Additionally, his probation was revoked on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, attempted coercion, fourth-degree assault and obliteration or change of a firearm identification number. Mr. Garland was then sentenced to three years in prison by Judge Rebecca Guptill. Senior Deputy District Attorney Gina Skinner prosecuted the defendant.

This plea agreement marks the closure of three separate cases pending against the defendant.

Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle:

On December 23, 2019, Washington County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a rural area of North Plains, Oregon on a report of a missing woman. During that search, they spotted a pickup truck parked on a nearby property. A witness then told deputies that Mr. Garland moved the truck out of sight as deputies arrived. Deputies confirmed the truck was reported stolen. Mr. Garland admitted that he stole the truck several days earlier.

Fraudulent use of a credit card:

On December 17, 2019, Mr. Garland used a cell phone which didn’t belong to him to access a popular ride sharing application. He then used the phone to pay for the ride. As this was happening, the true owner of the phone received a notification alerting him to the unexpected charge. The owner had recently moved out of state and accidentally left his phone behind.

The owner contacted the driver, who then confronted Mr. Garland. Mr. Garland fled the car on foot but was arrested a short time later by deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Second-degree theft:

On October 29, 2019, Mr. Garland entered a store in Hillsboro, Oregon and spent at least three hours filling a grocery cart with various items. He then left the store without paying for a single item. A loss prevention officer confronted Mr. Garland who fled the area on foot while wearing a stolen jacket. The stolen merchandise had an estimated value of $700. This was all captured on video surveillance.

Officers with the Hillsboro Police Department eventually tracked down Mr. Garland and made the arrest.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Hillsboro Police Department on these cases.

In addition to his prison sentence, Mr. Garland was also ordered to serve two years of post-prison supervision after he is released. He 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

Senior Deputy District Attorney Gina Skinner gives a community presentation on the subject of domestic violence to the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Hills in early February. DDA Skinner supervises the Domestic Violence Unit, a team of prosecutors and victim advocates who work exclusively on cases involving domestic violence. She speaks about what domestic violence is, the warning signs to watch for, and how we are working to prosecute these crimes to protect the victims involved.

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