Brandon Drew Falsetto Guilty Of Luring A Minor, Private Indecency (Photo) - 12/17/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On December 16, 2025, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Sims found Brandon Drew Falsetto, age 29, guilty of two counts of luring a minor and one count of private indecency in a bench trial. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted this case.
 

The defendant was known to the victim’s mother and provided childcare to the child while the mother worked. While babysitting, he showed the victim a video of himself having sexual intercourse with a woman. On a different day, he brought the victim to a sauna at their condominium complex and masturbated in front of the child.
 

The defendant, who was on probation for unlawful use of a weapon and assault 4 domestic violence convictions, jumped from his third-floor balcony when law enforcement attempted to speak with him about these allegations. He was arrested and taken to the hospital.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for reporting this abuse. This office also thanks the Hillsboro Police Department for its work on this case.
 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2026. The defendant will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Washington County District Attorney's Office Awarded $1.5 Million In Grant Funding To Combat Theft (Photo) - 12/10/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- For the second consecutive year, the Washington County District Attorney's Office, on behalf of the Washington County Interagency Organized Retail Theft Taskforce, has secured grant funding to combat organized retail theft and shoplifting across the county. The State of Oregon awarded this office $1,535,173. This represents the largest grant award in Oregon for the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program and outpaced the second-largest distribution by more than $230,000.
 

The funding will be used to enhance efforts to investigate, prosecute, and stop shoplifters and organized retail theft crews from targeting businesses in Washington County. The money awarded will allow law enforcement and prosecutors to engage in more joint retail theft missions, will help gather additional evidence of retail theft crimes, and will allow investigators to focus more resources on criminal fencing operations. Grant funding will also be distributed to eligible small and medium-sized retailers to support a retailer security camera upgrade program. Grant funding is anticipated to be available in the first quarter of 2026.
 

This is the second year in a row that this office has received this funding. In 2025, the DA’s Office received approximately $1.5 million in grant funding and distributed more than $281,000 to 38 small and medium-sized businesses across Washington County. The business owners used the funding to purchase security cameras and alarm systems.
 

Western Pet Supply participated in the grant program and installed 18 new security cameras, allowing staff to better guard against theft.
 

“We now have the ability to make sure we can identify the bad apples who attempt to, or do, steal from our store,” Andy Griggs, Owner of Wester Pet Supply, said. “With the way the economy is now, our store has to be so careful with managing theft because, as an independent, family-owned business, we can't afford to lose any products that affect our bottom line. Thanks to the grant funds, we now have an added sense of security.”

A collection of testimonials from business owners who received funding and support can be found here.
 

“This grant award demonstrates that Washington County continues to be a leader in combating crime,” said Washington County DA Kevin Barton. “Criminals warn each other to avoid Washington County and complain when they are caught here because they know they will be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted.”
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office works collaboratively with the Organized Retail Crime Association of Oregon (ORCAOR) on this effort. Jeremy Girard of ORCAOR explains how this partnership helps strengthen the outreach to and support of Washington County retailers.
 

“The Organized Retail Crime grant funding received in 2025, along with anticipated future funding, will position both ORCAOR and Washington County to more effectively support the retail industry and implement strategies that help reduce organized retail crime in Washington County and beyond. This critical funding enhances our ability to build long-term solutions through partnership, education, and enforcement,” said Mr. Girard, Retail President, ORCAOR.
 

The DA’s Office also partners with local businesses, including Colombia Sportswear Company, to host training opportunities, such as the 2024 Washington County Retail Theft Symposium. This regional training brought together loss prevention teams and members of law enforcement in a collaborative effort to combat retail theft.
 

“Our headquarters and our very successful Employee Store are located in Washington County, and we expanded our footprint in 2019,” added Peter Bragdon, EVP Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Columbia Sportswear Company. “We made this decision, in part, due to the safety and security provided by our Washington County law enforcement partners, including the ORT Task Force. Our retail spaces cannot grow and remain successful without strong partnerships with law enforcement that make our stores, and the stores of our wholesale customers, feel safe for our shoppers and our employees.”
 

This funding also allows this office to expand our current shoplifting deterrence campaign by providing free shoplifting and theft warning signs to area businesses. Visit our website for additional information. 

Appeals Court Ruling Forces Dismissal Of 20 Washington County Drug-Endangered Children Cases (Photo) - 12/08/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office has filed motions to dismiss charges in 20 cases involving drug-endangered children because of a September Oregon Court of Appeals decision, State v. Stevens, 343 Or App 321 (2025).
 

In Stevens, the Court of Appeals ruled that a caregiver who knowingly exposed an 18-month-old child to methamphetamine, causing detectible levels of methamphetamine in the child’s system, could not be convicted of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree for failing to provide necessary and adequate care for that child.  The impact of this ruling extends beyond methamphetamine.  It makes it very difficult to arrest or prosecute parents and other caregivers who knowingly expose children to detectible levels of dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl.
 

As a result of the Stevens ruling and change to Oregon law, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office has been forced to dismiss 20 pending cases in which children were exposed to detectible levels of controlled substances in their bodies.  These include cases with controlled substances such as methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl. The dismissed cases involve situations where children were exposed to active drug use by adult caregivers in the children’s living environment. These situations pose significant safety risks to children, including the risk of child overdose and death. Click here for more information on the dismissed cases.
 

“This ruling makes it more difficult to protect children and hold accountable those who threaten their well-being,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton.  “Caregivers and parents who knowingly expose children to dangerous drugs to the point where they test positive should be held accountable.  We are committed to pursuing legislation in the upcoming short legislative session to address this problem.”
 

“Every child deserves to grow and thrive in a home free from dangerous drugs and life-threatening hazards,” said Oregon Child Abuse Solutions Executive Director Shelly Smith.  “We are committed to advocating and supporting policies and practices that safeguard their well-being.”
 

The Oregon District Attorney’s Association (ODAA) and the Washington County DA’s Office are actively seeking new legislation to address this gap in Oregon’s law. ODAA has put forward proposed legislation for the Oregon legislature to consider during the 2026 legislative session.  Click here for the ODAA 2026 Proactive Legislative Agenda.