HILLSBORO, Ore.- On June 7, 2019, Jose Luis Berumen-Carlos was sentenced to 180 months in prison by Judge Ricardo Menchaca for his role in a drive-by shooting, plus an additional 13 months in prison for crimes committed during his trial.

On February 1, 2019, Berumen-Carlos was convicted on multiple charges including two counts of First-Degree Attempted Assault with a Firearm, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm, two counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Unlawful Use of a GPS Device, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and two counts of First-Degree Theft of a Firearm. Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard prosecuted the case against Berumen-Carlos.

On May 31, 2018, Berumen-Carlos fired four shots from his car as he drove past a home in North Plains, Oregon. Berumen-Carlos’s estranged girlfriend was inside the home at the time. A witness spotted Berumen-Carlos scouting the location while looking at his phone prior to the shooting.

The victim told investigators she feared Berumen-Carlos had been following her. Police then found a GPS tracking device hidden under the hood of her car. They also found the tracking device’s app installed on Berumen-Carlos’ cell phone. He fled the scene of the shooting but was arrested a short time later.

At the time of trial, Berumen-Carlos’s family had posted his bail and he was released from custody pursuant to a release agreement. That agreement called for Berumen-Carlos to wear a GPS ankle monitor and a substance abuse ankle monitor (SCRAM bracelet). The defendant appeared for each day of the four-day trial. However, when he learned that the jury had reached its verdict, but before learning what the verdict was, the defendant fled the courthouse. He cut off his GPS monitor and stole the SCRAM bracelet. Judge Menchaca then issued a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest.

While Berumen-Carlos was evading authorities after he fled the courthouse, he was arrested in March in Multnomah County and charged with several more unrelated crimes there. He received an additional 18 months in prison as a result of those convictions. Then, on June 7, 2019, Berumen-Carlos pleaded guilty to First-Degree Failure to Appear and First-Degree Theft in Washington County. Judge Menchaca sentenced the defendant to an additional 13 months in prison consecutive to the drive-by shooting case.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of Deputies Erik Merklin and Maribel Camas with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Ryan Ohlmann with the North Plains Police Department and Special Agent Mike Easter with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Berumen-Carlos has been transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentences.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On June 4, 2019, Derek Brandon Conley pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Disorderly Conduct and was sentenced to 28 days in jail and 18 months of bench probation by Judge Rebecca Guptill. Deputy District Attorney Bryce Bissinger prosecuted the case against Conley.

On September 17, 2018, Conley responded to an online ad offering money in exchange for the removal of two separate portions of a double wide mobile home from private property in Yamhill County. Conley agreed to remove the trailers in exchange for cash. He then drove the first trailer to Echo Shaw Elementary School in Cornelius where he illegally dumped it in the school’s parking lot. The mobile home was in extreme disrepair. It was rusty, full of trash and debris and listing dangerously to one side. It presented a safety risk to children and those using the facility.

Fortunately, a witness spotted Conley unhooking the home. The witness took several pictures as Conley drove away and called law enforcement. Based on this information, officers were able to track Conley down to Yamhill County where he was attempting to remove the other half of the home. Conley initially denied the allegations but eventually admitted to leaving the trailer in the school parking lot.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office serving the City of Cornelius.

In addition to his jail sentence, Conley must also pay more than $1,800 in fines and restitution to cover the costs of cleanup incurred by the City of Cornelius.

Photos courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On May 24, 2019, Aaron John Goodrich pleaded guilty to First-Degree Rape and First-Degree Sexual Abuse and was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Judge Eric Butterfield. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andy Pulver prosecuted the case against Goodrich.

In October of 2010, a then 11-year-old girl made a disclosure of abuse by Goodrich to a friend. That friend then alerted her mother who contacted the Oregon Department of Human Services to report the disclosure. The victim denied the abuse at the time and authorities closed out their investigation. The abuse continued for at least two more years in Sherwood, Oregon.

Shortly after that initial disclosure, Goodrich began abusing a second young girl known to him. That abuse continued until October of 2018, when the victim disclosed the abuse and police were notified. Goodrich was living in Forest Grove during the majority of this time.

When arrested by Forest Grove Police, Goodrich admitted to the abuse.

Detective Darren Pomeroy from the Forest Grove Police Department began investigating. He learned of the initial reports of abuse from 2010 and worked with Detective Kris Asla of the Sherwood Police Department to find the now adult victim. That woman summoned the courage to disclose that the abuse did indeed occur, and agreed to aid in the prosecution of Goodrich.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to commend the courage shown by these two victims, and the dedication of Detectives Pomeroy and Asla on this case.

Goodrich was sentenced under Jessica’s Law and has been transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. He must also register as a sex offender and will undergo post-prison supervision upon his release.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On May 20, 2019, a Washington County jury found Todd Allen Wymer guilty of First-Degree Sodomy, Second-Degree Sex Abuse and three counts of Luring a Minor. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted the case against Wymer in Judge Ricardo Menchaca’s courtroom.

The victim in this case was known to Wymer and was just 14-years-old when he began grooming her to be sexually abused. The victim told investigators that Wymer would give her alcohol, marijuana and other drugs and ordered her to keep this arrangement a secret from others.

Eventually, Wymer began withholding these items unless the victim agreed to engage in sexual conduct with him. That abuse began with kissing and touching but quickly escalated.

The victim first made a disclosure of abuse in 2011. At the time, Wymer admitted to the drug use but denied any sexual abuse occurred. The victim then moved out of state and indicated she did not want to move forward with the case.

In 2017, the victim contacted King City Police once again. She reported she was suffering from the trauma of the abuse and was ready to pursue charges against Wymer. Her testimony proved vital in securing a conviction against him.

This case demonstrates the complexity and difficulty associated with prosecuting crimes involving sexual abuse. These cases can be especially challenging to prove and often times victims are not able or ready to proceed right away. We commend the victim in this case for coming forward and showing the courage to confront her abuser in court.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the investigative work on this case by King City Police Chief Ernest Happala and Officer Shelby Thatcher.

Sentencing is set for July 10, 2019. Wymer will remain in custody until that time.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On May 20, 2019, Brian David Couture pleaded guilty to Initiating a False Report. Judge Beth Roberts ordered Couture to perform 80 hours of community service and to pay restitution. Deputy District Attorney Thomas James Belesiu prosecuted the case against Couture.

On March 6, 2019, Couture called Forest Grove Police to report a robbery at his residence. He told law enforcement at the time that someone broke into his home and assaulted him. Arriving officers found the home was ransacked and spotted blood strewn about the residence. Couture’s work laptop was damaged and approximately $700 was missing from a jar containing his daughter’s cookie sale proceeds.

Investigators quickly spotted inconsistencies in Couture’s story and began to challenge his account of what happened. Eventually, Couture admitted he falsified the report. Couture told police that he stole the money from his daughter to pay for an erotic massage and faked the robbery when he realized he couldn’t explain the missing funds.

Judge Roberts imposed a $100 fine on Couture and he will also be placed on probation. The amount of restitution to be paid will be determined at a later date.