FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 18, 2018
Darian McWoods sentenced to life in prison for murdering his 15 month old daughter
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced Darian McWoods, 25, received a life in prison sentence for murdering his 15 month old daughter.
Under Oregon law, McWoods must serve a minimum of 25 years in custody before being eligible to apply for parole. He will not receive any credit for good time.
The defendant’s daughter, Kamaya Flores, 15 months old, died on December 17, 2013.
“I was there for her birth and saw her as she took her first breath and I held her in my arms. My heart melted with love for this beautiful, little baby girl,” said Patricia Fisher, Kamaya’s maternal great grandmother. “Kamaya was such a sweet, loving child who craved human interaction…She loved to cuddle and be near you…When you took my sweet, great grand baby away from me, you ripped a hole in my heart that can never be filled.”
Kamaya’s maternal grandmother, Raquael Flores-Vuylsteke remembered Kamaya as a child full of life who loved exploring her environment. Flores-Vuylsteke shared memories of her and Kamaya going to the zoo, watching birds, and playing in the sandbox. She cherishes memories of cooking with Kamaya, playing together and sitting around campfires.
“I have no regrets for what I gave her and that was love,” Flores-Vuylsteke said Wednesday during sentencing. “I just loved the smell of her hair and her kisses on my cheek.”
On June 5, 2018, a 12-person jury unanimously found the defendant guilty of two counts of murder by abuse, three counts of manslaughter in the first degree, and one count each of criminally negligent homicide, criminal mistreatment in the first degree and tampering with a witness.
The trial lasted 13 days and was presided over by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Christopher J. Marshall.
Evidence presented during trial revealed Kamaya was in the care of her father at the time of her death. An autopsy revealed she had broken ribs, petechial hemorrhages and facial bruising. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office concluded the injuries on Kamaya were consistent with compression asphyxia. Blood and urine were collected during the autopsy for testing. It was later determined Kamaya died of methadone toxicity. A trace amount of methamphetamine was also detected in Kamaya’s system.
At sentencing, Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt said, “this has been a very long journey for the family involved with Kamaya’s death in 2013.” Girt prosecuted this case along with Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell. “It's been a very long and emotional ride for the family and for the people in her life who only wanted answers about Kamaya’s death…I do hope and think that the investigation that was done in this case and the jury's verdict that came last month can be the start of some closure for the family and people in Kamaya’s life."
“We know that Kamaya was up and playful in the hours preceding her death,” said Deputy District Attorney Nadell. “The amount of methadone in Kamaya’s blood was enough to cause her to stop breathing and go unconscious. Kamaya had terrible, inflicted injuries. Everything we’ve learned during this investigation showed Darian McWoods had an abusive parenting style.”
During trial, the jury heard evidence that made it clear McWoods took and had access to pain pills and liked to do ecstasy (also known as “Molly” and MDMA).
“Darian McWoods knew his daughter was in distress on December 17, 2013 and needed medical attention right away but he didn’t do that,” Girt said during closing arguments of the trial in June. “He took every step possible to save himself. He was thinking about himself that day, not his daughter.”
Judge Marshall sentenced McWoods to the mandatory punishment of life in prison for Kamaya’s murder. McWoods will have to serve a minimum of 25 years before he is eligible to apply for parole.
The defendant was also sentenced to 20 months of prison after being convicted of criminal mistreatment in the first degree in connection to the injuries inflicted upon Kamaya. That time will run concurrently to the life in prison sentence.
Finally, Judge Marshall sentenced the defendant to 24 months in prison for McWood’s conviction of tampering with a witness. Judge Marshall chose to order that the 24 month prison sentence run consecutively to the murder charge.
“The reason the Court is imposing that consecutive time is because that is a completely separate crime from the horrific crimes that were committed against Kamaya, and it exhibits an unimaginable course of conduct after the horrific conduct related to the murder,” Judge Marshall said in court.
This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Detail and the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team. Detective Michele Michaels and Detective Bryan Steed (retired) were the primary investigators on this case.
Resources:
- Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multi-disciplinary Child Abuse Team
- Portland Police Bureau Child Abuse Team
- DHS Child Abuse
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 17, 2018
Man sentenced for making unlawful purchases using deceased individual’s Oregon Trail card
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a 36 month formal probation sentence for 53-year-old Michael Mahoney after the defendant found his friend deceased inside a residence, took his wallet and made unlawful purchases without notifying police or family members about the victim’s death.
Mahoney appeared before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Dailey on July 17, 2018 and pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully using a food stamp benefit and one count of identity theft. He was immediately sentenced to 36 months of formal probation as part of the Multnomah County Justice Reinvestment Program (MCJRP).
During Tuesday’s sentencing, the family of James Bland, informed the court that Mr. Bland met the defendant while receiving treatment services.
“The point I want to make is that my dad was more than just a victim…he was also a human being,” Mr. Bland’s daughter, Hannah Bland said in court during sentencing. “He was ridiculously funny and charming.”
Ms. Bland went on to state that she and her father were very close. She would spend time with him on the weekends and would FaceTime with him every night.
“When Mike found my dad on the floor in his room, he never called me to come help. Moreover, he didn’t even call the police to report his death,” Ms. Bland said in court. “Instead, he took the wallet off my dad’s body and proceeded to not only sped my dad’s money, but also used my dad’s (sic) food stamps.”
Ms. Bland said she found out about her father’s death after receiving a phone call from the medical examiner.
“I was not able to celebrate with my dad when I got into college or have him at my high school graduation,” Ms. Bland said. “Even though my dad was an alcoholic, he was still a human being and deserved dignity in his last moments.”
This investigation started on December 5, 2017 when officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau responded to Mr. Bland’s residence and located him deceased. Mr. Bland had passed away several weeks earlier of natural causes.
“The defendant’s actions were extremely hurtful and disrespectful to the victim’s family,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Sean Mazorol, who prosecuted this case. “Michael Mahoney almost got away with these crimes. We’re here today holding him responsible after members of Mr. Bland’s family discovered someone had used his debit and Oregon Trail cards after his death. These purchases occurred at Walmart, Plaid Pantry, Winco and Safeway.”
During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Mahoney had located Mr. Bland deceased inside the residence around November 22, 2017 and failed to make appropriate notifications.
“We believe today’s sentence of 36 months of probation and restitution is appropriate in this matter,” said Deputy District Attorney Mazorol. “The defendant put the Bland family through so much additional grief. We trust this sentence will allow him to get the alcohol and mental health services and treatment he needs.”
The Multnomah County Justice Reinvestment Program (MCJRP) recognizes Multnomah County’s historical responsible use of Oregon Department of Corrections, and other public safety resources, both before and after the passage of HB3194. The MCJRP platform establishes a process to assess offenders and provide a continuum of community-based sanctions, services and programs that are designed to reduce recidivism, decrease the county’s utilization of imprisonment in DOC institutions while protecting public safety and holding offenders accountable.
As part of the sentencing, the defendant was ordered to pay $156.17 in restitution to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and $367.45 to the Bland family. While on probation, he will not be allowed to consume or be present at any location that serves alcohol.
Members of the media: The family of Mr. Bland has agreed to release several photo as part of this press release.
Resources:
- Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office: Multnomah County Justice Reinvestment Program
- Multnomah County Justice Reinvestment Program
- Multnomah County Mental Health Services
- Multnomah County Addiction Services
- Multnomah County Treatment Services
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 16, 2018
Jorge Sosa-Soler receives 20 year prison sentence for killing his girlfriend
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a 20 year prison sentence for 52-year-old Jorge Sosa-Soler for killing Yaritza Valdez-Almaguer, his longtime girlfriend.
The defendant appeared before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Karin J. Immergut and pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree constituting domestic violence and unlawful use of a weapon constituting domestic violence.
“No one deserves to be hurt by someone they love,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Shawn Overstreet, who prosecuted this case. “This is an incredibly sad case that highlights the lethality that can exist hidden in domestic violence situations. Both Ms. Valdez-Almaguer and the defendant lived in a small village in Cuba. Getting to today has taken a considerable amount of time. As we negotiated the settlement of this case, we wanted to keep Ms. Valdez-Almaguer’s family in Cuba updated. Doing so required them traveling from their small village to the nearest town to use the only publicly available phone.”
Ms. Valdez-Almaguer’s brother, Julio Valdez-Almaguer, participated in Monday’s sentencing hearing via phone from Cuba.
Through a translator, he said the death of his sister “has very, very much affected our family and that he [Sosa-Soler] had no right to kill her.”
Blanca Mojena-Arzuaga, a longtime friend of Ms. Valdez-Almaguer, remembers her as “such a good person.”
“She was perfect,” Mojena-Arzuaga said through a translator. “She was so sweet, so nice, and was such a happy person.”
Mojena-Arzuaga remembers the day when Ms. Valdez-Almaguer called from Cuba and told her she wanted to come live with her in the United States.
“In Cuba, she was living in a home that had a dirt floor,” Mojena-Arzuaga said. “She wanted to come to Oregon for a better life for herself, Jorge and her son who is now nine years old and living with family in Cuba. Yaritza was also planning to bring her son to Oregon .”
Ms. Valdez-Almaguer and Sosa-Soler moved in February 2016. Shortly after moving to Portland, Ms. Valdez-Almaguer enrolled in English classes at IRCO and was prepared to continue to work as a physical therapist.
Mojena-Arzuaga said that she and the family would eventually forgive the defendant. Sosa-Soler spoke briefly in court and said, “I didn’t want this. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
This investigation began at 1:15 p.m. on May 20, 2016 when the defendant and Valdez-Almaguer, were at a residence in the 6600 block of Northeast Glisan Street. The couple was arguing about Sosa-Soler recently being diagnosed with a medical condition. Sosa-Soler indicated he and Valdez-Almaguer needed to return to Cuba.
“As the argument continued, Ms. Valdez-Almaguer became increasingly upset with Sosa-Soler following her around the house,” said Overstreet. “Valdez-Almaguer told the defendant that she was leaving him. With that realization, Sosa-Soler retrieved a large butcher knife from the kitchen and confronted Valdez-Almaguer in the couple’s office area.”
The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office reported Valdez-Almaguer died of a single stab wound to the neck.
“After killing Ms. Valdez-Almaguer, Sosa-Soler cut his own throat with the knife in the kitchen in an effort to kill himself but he was found by roommates who got him immediate medical attention,” said Overstreet.
Under Oregon law, the maximum sentence for a conviction of manslaughter in the first-degree is 20 years.
Mr. Sosa-Soler’s criminal defense team presented evidence to the court that suggested he was suffering from a mental health crisis when he killed Ms. Valdez-Almaguer.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office wants to remind the public if you or someone you know feels unsafe or would like to speak with an advocate, support is available 24/7 by calling or contacting Call to Safety at 503-235-5333. You are not alone.
In the event of an emergency, contact 9-1-1.
Línea de Crisis 503-232-4448. Línea de Crisis 24 horas sin costo 1-888-232-4448. Los servicios que se ofrecen a las sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica y/o asalto sexual incluyen:
-
- Línea de crisis en español disponible 24 horas al día
Manejo de casos y abogacía
Grupos de Apoyo en español
Apoyo a los padres/madres
Educación a la comunidad
Asistencia en la petición de órdenes de restricción y de acecho
- Línea de crisis en español disponible 24 horas al día
- The Gateway Center
At the Gateway Center you can sit down one-on-one with an experienced advocate who will help you develop your personal plan and connect you with other services you may need. Appointments are not necessary for first-time visitors. They encourage walk-in, drop-ins from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 4 pm.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 13, 2018
Multnomah County Grand Jury Returns New Indictment in State of Oregon v. Luis Trybom
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced today a grand jury returned an indictment against 39-year-old Luis Trybom.
The indictment alleges Trybom knowingly and unlawfully committed sex crimes involving two separate female victims between September and October 2015.
The indictment filed under case number 18CR46718 charges the defendant with four counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct. Furthermore, the indictment alleges one count of sexual abuse in the second degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the third degree. The allegations in counts 1-4 involve a separate victim than the crimes alleged in counts 5-8 of the indictment.
Trybom is scheduled to be arraigned on this indictment Monday July 16, 2018 at the Multnomah County Justice Center.
Copies of the indictment and court scheduling information can be obtained using the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system.
This is an ongoing investigation that involves the Portland Police Bureau Detective Division's Sex Crimes Unit. As such, no additional comments can be made.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Portland Police Detective Nathan Sheppard at 503-823-3886, nathan.sheppard@portlandoregon.gov
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 12, 2018
Michael Williams receives life sentence for the aggravated murder of Jacob Shroyer
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced 34-year-old Michael Williams received a life sentence after he pleaded guilty to killing 37-year-old Jacob Shroyer last spring. Williams must serve 30 years in prison before he is eligible to apply for parole.
On June 22, 2018, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of robbery in the third degree related to a separate victim. Williams received a 16 month concurrent prison sentence on the robbery conviction.
“All I can do is remember the last conversations we had, the times we spent together and the time raising him to become a man,” Jacob’s aunt Juanita Barela read in court on behalf of Mr. Shroyer’s mother. “He was loved by his family and the Portland community. I will not let you destroy me. I have hope and patience to see Jacob again in the spiritual realm.”
Mr. Shroyer was remembered during Thursday’s sentencing hearing as a strong, independent and self-made man who loved making others happy and feel good about themselves. Mr. Shroyer grew up in New Mexico and eventually moved to Oregon. His impact on the community stretched far beyond Portland. He was an accomplished hair stylist and a talented DJ. His family and friends remembered Mr. Shroyer’s compassion for others.
During the sentencing hearing, Mr. Shroyer’s aunt, Frances Candelaria said, “I want you (defendant Williams) to know what a wonderful, happy and loving person you took away from this family. Jacob did not have an easy life growing up since he had no father figure. But from the love of his mother, his brother Ben and his entire family he grew up in a very loving home and he became the most precious man.” She continued, “You have no idea how much you have hurt us, how much we have cried ourselves to sleep and how many times we scream Jacob’s name hoping to bring him back. Our family is broken and we will never be the same. Now that you will be locked up, you will not be able to hurt anyone else.”
“This was a crime that shocked the entire community,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero who prosecuted the case along with Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Rees. “We may never know why Michael Williams committed this random, unprovoked and heinous crime that took the life of Jacob Shroyer. What we do know is that Jacob came from a remarkably loving and caring family. They have shown incredible strength and grace during this unimaginable time.”
During a change of plea hearing held before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Eric J. Bergstrom, Williams admitted he unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly committed the crime of burglary in the first degree on May 8, 2017 and that in the course of and in the furtherance of committing the crime of burglary in the first degree he personally and intentionally caused the death of Mr. Shroyer. Furthermore, Williams admitted he unlawfully and knowingly used physical force on May 9, 2017 to take property belonging to a man he did not know. Williams assaulted that man on a TriMet bus in order to steal the victim’s wallet.
Special recognition is deserved for the members of the Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detail, including lead detectives Anthony Merrill and Vince Cui. Additional acknowledgement goes to members of the Portland Police Bureau Detective Division, including Detectives Michael Jones and Tony Harris, Central Precinct patrol officers and Transit Police Division officers for their efforts in identifying and capturing the defendant.
This negotiated settlement was reached in consultation with Mr. Shroyer’s family and in consideration of their wishes.
As a result of this plea agreement, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office dismissed all remaining counts against the defendant.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
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JULY 11, 2018
Man sentenced to 35 months in prison following online sex crimes investigation
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a 35 month prison sentence for 42-year-old Jason Jay Paul following an investigation into online sex crimes.
Paul pleaded guilty to one count each of online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree and online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree on June 11, 2018 before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Christopher J. Marshall.
This investigation began on October 31, 2017 when investigators assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Human Sex Trafficking Team launched an undercover mission to target individuals attempting to lure children using the internet for sexual gratification.
“In this case, there was a team of undercover law enforcement investigators behind the Facebook account Mr. Paul was communicating with and because of those law enforcement efforts, we were fortunate to prevent the defendant from actually coming into physical contact with or communicating with a minor and stopped a child from being sexually abused,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Mike Botthof, who prosecuted this case. “The harsh reality is there are people on the internet at any given moment throughout the day looking to find a vulnerable child who can be taken advantage of for sexual gratifying purposes. The work we are doing here at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and with our law enforcement partners should put those people on notice.”
In this case, the PPB Human Sex Trafficking Team was able to use an undercover Facebook account. During the investigation, the defendant started to communicate with the officers. During those conversations, officers pretended to be a 15 year old female. The defendant’s conversations quickly turned sexual in nature and eventually moved from online based communications to text messages.
During the investigation, officers learned Paul was previously convicted of online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree out of Clackamas County. Additionally, the investigators learned that at the time he was communicating with the undercover officers on the Portland case, the defendant had recently completed probation for luring a minor and purchasing sex with a minor in Multnomah County.
“We believe that this sentence is appropriate and that it will hold the defendant accountable for his actions and will protect children and the community,” Botthof said.
Upon release from the Oregon Department of Corrections, the defendant will have to finish five years of probation. If Mr. Paul is found to be in violation of his probation, he could receive up to an additional 40 month prison sentence. He will also be required to undergo a sex offender evaluation and treatment. Under Oregon law, the defendant will have to register as a sex offender for life.
All other charges the defendant faced have been dismissed as part of the negotiated settlement with this office.
Links:
Sex Trafficking Resources – Multnomah County
Protecting Kids Online – Federal Trade Commission
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
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JULY 10, 2018
Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project conviction leads to 33 year prison sentence
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced 64 year old Curtis Clint Williams was sentenced to 33 years in prison after a jury convicted him of numerous criminal offenses following a rape in 2011 that was solved as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project launched in Multnomah County.
On June 26, 2018, a 12-person jury convicted Williams of one count of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, one count of unlawful sexual penetration and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. The jury acquitted the defendant on one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree.
Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Dailey presided over the trial and sentencing. This was the first case in Multnomah County to go to trial associated with the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Project (SAKI).
“Mr. Williams has a pattern of violence and has shown he does not perform well when out of custody and while on supervision. In fact, he has been returned to prison in the past for assaultive behavior,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt during William’s sentencing. “Additionally, the rape in which Mr. Williams is being sentenced for occurred while he was on supervision for a 1985 rape.”
This investigation started on September 30, 2011 when the victim, then 19, reported she had been raped and sexually abused inside the Alder Hotel Apartments in downtown Portland. The victim did not previously know her attacker. The case was assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit.
The victim immediately reported the assault to law enforcement and underwent an extensive Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) examination. In 2016, the victim’s SAFE kit was sent to a private lab in Salt Lake City, Utah as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project and then further analyzed by the Oregon State Police (OSP) Forensic Laboratory which yielded a DNA match to the defendant.
“The SAKI Workgroup would like to commend the survivor in this case for giving the criminal justice system a second chance,” said Detective Sgt. Molly Daul, supervisor of the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit. “It is our hope her fortitude will assist other sexual assault survivors in reporting and seeking justice. We will continue to pursue sexual offenders identified from our previously un-submitted SAFE kits and help those survivors in a victim centered manner.”
“I am very proud of the work we are doing to eliminate the backlog of sexual assault kits that existed not only in Multnomah County, but several jurisdictions throughout Oregon,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. “We must thank our partners from the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Justice Assistance for their financial support. The grant funding the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and Portland Police Bureau received made the elimination of backlogged SAFE kits a priority. We also reaffirm our commitment to survivors of rape and sexual assault. Your case is important to us. We will thoroughly investigate any sex crime allegation and prosecute defendants like Curtis Clint Williams to the fullest extent of the law.”
As stated in a prior release, the victim in this case is represented by legal counsel and is requesting complete privacy. Members of the media are asked to not to contact the victim or any member of her family by any means due to exceptional privacy concerns.
The lead detective on the case was Portland Police Bureau Sex Crimes Unit Detective Jason Christensen.
Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project
In 2015, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, along with the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory initiated a project to process thousands of untested SAFE kits in Multnomah, Marion and Lane counties.
District Attorney Underhill and others quickly identified funding from the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) and worked with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit after PPB received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant Program.
DANY awarded the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office a total of $1,995,453 in September 2015. Using those funds, a coordinated effort involving local law enforcement and the Oregon State Police was launched to send SAFE kits, dated 2014 or older from Multnomah, Lane and Marion counties, to the private lab in Utah for testing.
In early 2018, an additional 302 SAFE kits from 13 other Oregon counties were sent to the lab using funds from the DANY grant. In total, nearly 3,000 SAFE kits from Oregon were sent to be tested. As of July 2018, only 40 kits of the nearly 3,000 remain to be tested.
As of July 1, 2018, five people have been indicted in Multnomah County as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project. Two cases have resulted in convictions, the other three are pending trial.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
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JULY 9, 2018
James Lionell McClure sentenced to 70 months in prison after stabbing a man in the heart in NW Portland
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a 70 month prison sentence for 52 year old James Lionell McClure.
McClure pleaded no contest to one count of assault in the second degree on May 9, 2018 before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kenneth R. Walker in connection with a stabbing that occurred on August 26, 2016. All other charges the defendant had been charged with have been dismissed. This case was resolved with considerable input and support from the victim and his family.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers with the Portland Police Bureau responded to reports of a stabbing at Couch Park in Northwest Portland. Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from a stab wound to his chest. The victim was transported to the hospital with critical injuries where he underwent emergency surgery.
“The victim in this case yelled out, ‘he stabbed me in the heart’ immediately after being attacked by the defendant,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Shawn Overstreet, who prosecuted this case. “A short struggle between McClure and our victim ensued. Ultimately, the victim collapsed. Medical experts have told us that the victim died for approximately 11 minutes. The victim is miraculously alive today because of incredible efforts performed by the team at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, which brought him back to life.”
Due to the victim’s injuries, detectives assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Detail responded and began looking into the events leading up to the stabbing. During the investigation, detectives learned the victim appeared to be waiting to use the bathroom in Couch Park when the defendant approached and stabbed the victim in the chest. The defendant fled the area and was taken into custody by patrol officers assigned to Central Precinct. During the initial investigation, detectives believed McClure stabbed the victim while attempting to steal the victim’s property.
“This incident has changed the victim’s life forever,” Overstreet said. “When he woke up in the hospital, he had no memory of the incident, no recollection of being in a relationship or even moving to Portland where he was working for about a year prior to the altercation with the defendant. Today, he lives out of state with family members who have to care for him as a result of brain damage sustained during the time when he was medically considered deceased.”
One of the potential challenges with taking this case to trial, included a possible self-defense claim. After multiple discussions, it was determined that justice would best be served through a negotiated settlement. As such, the defendant has accepted responsibility for his actions with this no contest plea.
Judge Walker sentenced the defendant to 70 months in prison. Upon his release from the Oregon Department of Corrections, McClure will be on three years of post-prison supervision.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
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JULY 6, 2018
SECOND SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN 2017 MURDER OF WILBERT “BILLY” BUTLER
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a 29-count indictment against Joel Matthew McCool, Jr., 27, was unsealed following the defendant’s arraignment in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
McCool is the second suspect charged in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Wilbert “Billy” Butler.
According to information previously released by the Portland Police Bureau, at 1:41 a.m. on September 17, 2017 officers responded to multiple reports of a shooting in the 3600 block of Southeast 28th Avenue. Officers arrived and located Mr. Butler suffering from critical injuries. Paramedics transported Mr. Butler to the hospital where he died. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Mr. Butler died of homicidal violence.
On March 30, 2018, members of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested McCool in the 300 block of Marianna Street in Memphis, Tennessee. He was taken into custody without incident.
On July 5, 2018, McCool was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. Defendant was arraigned before Judge Ann Lininger at the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 6, 2018. A not guilty plea was entered on the defendant’s behalf. His next court date is scheduled for July 16, 2018 for a probation violation on an unrelated case.
McCool is charged with one of count murder, one count of criminal conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of attempted aggravated murder, four counts of attempted assault in the first degree, 18 counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Case number 18CR05284 was filed as a secret indictment on January 22, 2018.
Lorenzo L. Jones, 44, was arrested on January 19, 2018 by members of the Eugene Police Department in Eugene, Oregon during a traffic stop. Jones is charged with one of count murder, one count of criminal conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of attempted aggravated murder, four counts of attempted assault in the first degree, 17 counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Case number 18CR04905 was also filed as a secret indictment on January 22, 2018. Jones’ trial date is tentatively scheduled for September 2019.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Portland Police Bureau, U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, Eugene Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Team (Tennessee), Oregon State Police, Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (Oregon) for their dedicated efforts working this criminal investigation.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
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JULY 3, 2018
GARY WAYNE STREETER-HILLERICH PLEADS GUILTY TO KIDNAPPING, RAPING STRANGER
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced Gary Wayne Streeter-Hillerich, III, 21, pleaded guilty to one count each of rape in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and robbery in the second degree before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Eric J. Bergstrom.
Sentencing is set for August 2, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Bergstrom.
Case number 17CR73311 was filed November 3, 2017 after Streeter-Hillerich was arrested on November 2, 2017 by detectives assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit.
According to previously filed court documents, on October 15, 2017, Streeter-Hillerich boarded a TriMet bus at the intersection of North Lombard Street and North Interstate Avenue. The defendant rode into southwest Portland. In the evening hours, the bus reached the intersection of Southwest 6th Avenue and Southwest Main Street where the 26-year-old victim, a stranger to the defendant, boarded the bus. When the victim got off the bus near the intersection of Southeast 7th Avenue and Southeast Division Street, the defendant did as well.
It is alleged in court documents that Streeter-Hillerich followed the victim. He grabbed her by the mouth and throat and moved her off the sidewalk. The defendant proceeded to threaten, physically assault, rape, and sexually abuse the victim.
Following the assaults, the defendant, as stated in court documents, went through the victim’s purse and took her phone and told her to wait in the bushes for five minutes after he left or he would continue to harm her.
The defendant was identified after detectives reviewed surveillance video from the TriMet bus. An informational flyer was created and distributed to regional law enforcement.
No additional details can be released until after Streeter-Hillerich is sentenced.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the verdict in State of Oregon v. Curtis Clint Williams.
On June 26, 2018, a 12-person jury convicted the defendant of one count of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, one count of unlawful sexual penetration and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. The jury acquitted the defendant on one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree.
This investigation started on September 30, 2011 when the victim, then 19, reported she had been raped and sexually abused inside the Alder Hotel Apartments. The victim did not previously know her attacker.
Court documents state after leaving the apartment, the victim immediately reported the assault to law enforcement. In 2011, the case was assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit. The victim also underwent an extensive Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) examination. In 2016, the victim’s SAFE kit was sent to a private lab in Salt Lake City, Utah and then further analyzed by the Oregon State Police (OSP) Forensic Laboratory which yielded a DNA match to the defendant.
This was the first case in Multnomah County to go to trial associated with the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Project (SAKI). This case was prosecuted by Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt and Deputy District Attorney Tara Garnder.
Neither the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office nor the Portland Police Bureau can make any additional comment on this case because the defendant has not been sentenced.
The victim in this case is represented by legal counsel and is requesting complete privacy. Members of the media are asked to not to contact the victim or any member of her family by any means due to exceptional privacy concerns.
Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project
In 2015, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, along with the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory initiated a project to process thousands of untested SAFE kits in Multnomah, Marion and Lane counties.
District Attorney Underhill and others quickly identified funding from the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) and worked with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit after PPB received a grant from U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant Program.
DANY awarded the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office a total of $1,995,453 in September 2015. Using those funds, a coordinated effort involving local law enforcement and the Oregon State Police was launched to send SAFE kits, dated 2014 or older from Multnomah, Lane and Marion counties, to the private lab in Utah for testing.
In early 2018, an additional 302 SAFE kits from 13 other Oregon counties were sent to the lab using funds from the DANY grant. In total, nearly 3,000 SAFE kits from Oregon were sent to be tested. As of June 2018, only 40 kits of the nearly 3,000 remain to be tested.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a grand jury returned a nine count indictment against California resident Jeramey Todd Walkley, 40, as part of a child sex crimes investigation.
The indictment against the defendant was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on June 22, 2018 and alleges six counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, two counts of luring a minor and one count of online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree. As stated in the indictment, the crimes are alleged to have occurred in August 2017.
According to an affidavit in support of arrest, the defendant communicated with a minor via social media and text message communication while the youth was living in Portland, Oregon. During the communication, the defendant purported to be a classmate of the youth and convinced the youth to send nude images of herself to him.
Additionally, as stated in the arrest warrant, the defendant threatened the victim by stating he would distribute her nude and sexually explicit photos to her high school. The victim continued to believe she was communicating with one of her classmates. Distraught, the victim disclosed the threat to her mother. The victim’s mother spoke to the family of the classmate who the victim thought was a fellow student. The victim’s mother learned her daughter had not been communicating online with a classmate, but rather an adult stranger. The family of the youth called the police, who investigated and obtained the victim’s smartphone. Police were able to identify Walkley as the defendant in this case.
Detectives assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit traveled to Eureka, California and arrested Walkley with the help of local law enforcement.
The defendant appeared before Judge Shelley D. Russell on June 25, 2018 and was arraigned on the grand jury indictment. His next court date is scheduled for August 6, 2018.
A copy of the arrest warrant affidavit and indictment filed in this case can be obtained using the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system. This matter is documented under case number 18CR30678.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to provide resources to the community when it comes to protecting children from online predators. If you believe you, or your child is a victim of a crime, contact law enforcement to file a report. In Multnomah County, reports can be filed by calling 502-823-3333.
American Bar Association – Tips for Parents to Protect Kids from Online Predators
Department of Homeland Security – Talking to Kids About Being Online
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office – Investigations Division
Portland Police Bureau – Sex Crimes Unit
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced Michael Williams, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder in connection with the death of Jacob Pedro Shroyer. The defendant also pleaded guilty to one count of robbery in the third degree in connection with an unrelated victim.
Sentencing for the defendant will be held July 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Eric J. Bergstrom.
According to court documents previously filed in this case, on May 8, 2017, emergency dispatchers with the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications received a 9-1-1 call from Mr. Shroyer who was at the Pacific Towers Apartment in Northwest Portland. Mr. Shroyer reported he had been stabbed. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Shroyer died as a result of multiple stab wounds.
During this investigation, detectives assigned to the Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detail identified Williams as the individual responsible for Mr. Shroyer’s death. He was arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on May 9, 2017 and charged with aggravated murder. A grand jury subsequently indicted the defendant on numerous other charges in connection with crimes he committed between May 1 and May 8, 2017.
No additional comments will be made as the defendant has not been formally sentenced. Members of the media and public can access the probable cause affidavit filed in this case using the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system. This matter is documented under case number 17CR30820.
This case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Rees and Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567