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.

Antonio Arredondo Jr. Guilty In Multiple Sex Abuse Cases, Additional Victims Sought (Photo) - 11/25/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 18, 2025, Antonio Arredondo Jr., age 39, pleaded guilty to seven charges of Rape in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sex Abuse in the First Degree stemming from cases in both Oregon and Washington. The defendant stipulated to a 40-year prison sentence and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16, 2026. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted the Washington County cases before Judge Brandon Thompson.
 

The defendant has been a registered sex offender since 2009, when he was convicted of molesting a child in Texas. He moved to Oregon shortly after his conviction in Texas, where his predatory behavior continued. By 2022, he had developed a pattern that granted him access to children.
 

The defendant would meet single mothers with daughters under the age of 10 years old, via an online dating site. Several of these children had a disability. After initiating a relationship with them, he would begin sexually abusing the children. In some cases, he also became increasingly violent, both physically and sexually, towards the mothers. In one case, he repeatedly urged the mother to allow him to adopt her child and to give him power of attorney over the child, suggesting something would happen to the mother, and the child would need to be cared for. When the mother refused, the defendant would become outraged.
 

In May of 2022, one of the children reported to a school counselor that the defendant sexually abused the child. When the case was presented to a Washington County Grand Jury, the child’s mother disclosed to law enforcement that the defendant had been sexually and physically abusive to her as well.
 

The Tigard Police Department led the initial investigation. During the investigation, it was learned that another mother had reported abuse of her daughter by the defendant to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. After presenting that second case to a Washington County Grand Jury, it was learned there may be other victims in the area.
 

On August 17, 2023, in collaboration with agencies across Oregon, investigators issued a media release to alert the public to the defendant’s actions and to seek additional victims. That information prompted victims in Polk County, Oregon, Clark County, Washington, and another victim, who now lives out of state, to contact law enforcement. This victim reported meeting the defendant before he sexually abused them.
 

After the defendant’s arrest in 2023, a joint effort was undertaken to resolve all of the defendant’s known cases. In late 2024, negotiations fell through. In February of 2025, the defendant was convicted of Sex Abuse in the First Degree in Polk County, Oregon, and began serving a mandatory minimum sentence of 75 months, pursuant to Oregon’s Measure 11 laws. Negotiations were reinitiated, and the defendant accepted the 40-year global offer with Washington County, Multnomah County, and Clark County, Washington.
 

“This resolution brings an end to this defendant’s predatory behavior and delivers long-overdue accountability,” said DDA Meisel. “Most importantly, it spares the victims the agony of reliving their trauma at trial and provides a measure of closure they have fought so bravely to obtain. Their courage in coming forward has been nothing short of extraordinary."
 

During the course of the investigation, detectives spoke with multiple women who reported similar behavior by the defendant, some of whom did not want to participate in the prosecution. Investigators fear there could be additional victims. Anyone with information related to the defendant is urged to call their local law enforcement agency.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends all victims for their bravery in reporting the defendant. This office also acknowledges the work of the Tigard Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Portland Police Bureau, the City of Dallas Police, and law enforcement agencies in the State of Washington.
 

Individual case information can be found below.
 

 Cases:

• 23CR37119
  • Plead Guilty to Ct. 1: Rape in the First Degree
  • Plead Guilty to Ct. 4: Sodomy in the First Degree
• 23CR44427
  • Plead Guilty to Ct. 1: Rape in the First Degree – Forcible Compulsion – Domestic Violence
• 23CR39614
  • Plead Guilty to Ct. 1: Sex Abuse in the First Degree
• 23CR41056
  • Plead Guilty to Ct. 1: Sex Abuse in the First Degree
  • Plead Guilty to Ct. 3: Sex Abuse in the First Degree
• 2024-1-00215-06- Clark County, Washington
  • Defendant to enter guilty plea to Ct. 1: Child Molestation in the First Degree

Matthew Allan Stehr Guilty In Child Sexual Abuse Case (Photo) - 11/24/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 21, 2025, a Washington County jury found Matthew Allan Stehr, age 39, guilty of rape in the first degree, four counts of sodomy in the first degree, seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, and luring a minor. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted the defendant before Judge Hafez Daraee.
 

The defendant sexually abused the child victim multiple times over a period of approximately seven years. In 2021, the abuse came to light when the victim told a therapist what was happening. The mandatory reporter alerted the victim’s mother. She confronted the defendant, who never denied the allegations. The victim also provided additional details to medical experts at CARES Northwest.
 

“The jury’s verdict is a testament to the child’s courage in coming forward and speaking up,” said DDA Meisel. “While nothing can undo the harm that was done, we hope this verdict provides a measure of justice and a path towards healing for the victim and their mother.”
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for reporting this abuse. This office also acknowledges the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and CARES Northwest on this case.
 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2026.

Jeffrey Allen Braukmann Guilty In Child Sexual Abuse Case (Photo) - 11/19/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 14, 2025, a Washington County jury found Jeffrey Allen Braukmann, age 54, guilty of rape in the first degree, unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree, and sexual abuse in the first degree. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted this case before Judge Hafez Daraee.
 

In August of 2023, the defendant sexually assaulted the child victim, who was visiting family from out of state. He threatened to hurt the child’s family if she reported his actions. After the assault, the defendant said there would be “major consequences” if she ever reported him.
 

In May of 2024, the victim disclosed the abuse. The defendant was then arrested by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victim for reporting this abuse and acknowledges the investigative work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2026.

Jacob Michael Anderson Guilty In Bias Crime Case (Photo) - 11/18/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 10, 2025, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Brandon Thompson found Jacob Michael Anderson, age 35, guilty of bias crime in the first degree and reckless driving. Judge Thompson then sentenced the defendant to 120 days in the Washington County Jail, suspended his driver’s license for 90 days, placed him on supervised probation for a period of three years, barred him from having any contact with the victim, and ordered him to take anger management classes. Deputy District Attorney BJ Park prosecuted this case.
 

The victim in this case is an Asian American who lived across the street from the defendant. On May 17, 2024, the victim and defendant both left their homes around the same time to drive to work. As the victim was driving, he saw the defendant tailgating him and driving erratically. This occurred on a residential street with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour. The defendant then passed the victim on the right at a high rate of speed. This maneuver caused damage to the victim’s car as well as a parked vehicle.
 

Both cars stopped in the middle of the road. The defendant then exited his vehicle, approached the victim in a menacing manner, and called him a racial slur.
 

Beaverton police responded to the scene. The victim showed them a dash camera video depicting the defendant’s reckless driving, and he was arrested. Investigators learned the defendant had targeted the victim in multiple previous road rage incidents, information that contributed to Judge Thompson’s sentencing decision.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Beaverton Police Department on this case.
 

Community members who witness bias crimes should report them to local law enforcement. The Oregon Department of Justice also operates a bias crime hotline. Call 1-844-924-2427 for assistance.