Pedro Jahen Garcia-Balderrama Enters Guilty Plea In Case Involving State Senator (Photo) - 10/02/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- On October 1, 2026, Pedro Jahen Garcia-Balderrama pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the second degree and was sentenced to two years of supervised probation by Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill.
 

On August 8, 2026, the defendant attended a town hall event hosted by Oregon State Senator Janeen Sollman. During the event, the defendant became verbally disruptive and ranted about various topics. After a verbal exchange, the defendant approached Senator Sollman, grabbed the glasses from her face, and slammed them to the ground.
 

Officers with the Forest Grove Police Department responded to the area and located the defendant near the event. He was arrested without incident.
 

In addition to supervised probation, the defendant was also ordered to undergo anger management treatment, have no contact with the victim, and pay restitution.

Travis Lee Blumhagen Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison (Photo) - 09/24/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 18, 2026, Travis Lee Blumhagen pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted murder in the first degree with a firearm, assault in the second degree, three counts of criminal mischief in the first degree with a firearm, and driving under the influence of intoxicants, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Hafez Daraee. Chief Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard prosecuted this case.
 

On July 6, 2025, multiple motorists called 9-1-1 to report a reckless driver, who was later identified as the defendant. Witnesses, who included an off-duty detective with the Beaverton Police Department, observed the pickup truck as it traveled at high speed, drove into oncoming traffic, and ran multiple red lights across areas of Tigard and Sherwood, Oregon.
 

A few minutes after the initial calls came in, the defendant slammed his vehicle into a security gate and gained access to a self-storage facility in Sherwood. The defendant then went on a shooting spree where he fired multiple rounds at three bystanders and into several vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured by the gunfire.  
 

The defendant left the facility, circled around, and rammed his vehicle into a second security gate before leaving the area. He then spotted a Sherwood police vehicle and fired several rounds at the car. The officer inside the vehicle was not hurt and began pursuing the defendant as he drove off. Mr. Blumhagen then put his vehicle into reverse and slammed into the patrol vehicle, destroying the vehicle. As this was happening, multiple officers arrived at the scene and began taking up defensive positions. The defendant fired on these officers as well, with one later reporting he could hear a bullet buzz by his head. A Tualatin police officer returned fire, and the defendant surrendered a short time later.
 

Investigators found four handguns inside the defendant’s vehicle. He admitted to using methamphetamine earlier that day and believed the people he fired upon were state investigators.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of all law enforcement agencies involved in apprehending the suspect and the subsequent investigation.
 

The defendant will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. 

Edward Patrick Gorman Sentenced To 130 Months In Prison In Hit And Run Case (Photo) - 09/15/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- On July 24, 2026, a Washington County jury found Edward Patrick Gorman guilty of assault in the second degree, failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and reckless driving. On September 11, 2026, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Lemoine sentenced the defendant to 130 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Christina Luedtke prosecuted this case.
 

On March 17, 2023, the defendant picked up a friend and drove to a bar in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he was eventually cut off by the server. That server later reported that the defendant was likely intoxicated before he arrived at the bar.
 

The pair then left the bar in the defendant’s pickup truck and began driving south through Hillsboro. Several witnesses reported that the defendant was speeding, driving erratically, and swerving between lanes of travel. As Mr. Gorman drove through the intersection of SE 10^th Avenue and SE Walnut Street, he struck a bicyclist with so much force that the victim flew through the air, hit a second vehicle, and landed on the ground a considerable distance from the point of impact. The victim suffered extensive injuries, including multiple broken bones and a severe head injury.
 

His passenger advised him that he had hit someone and told him to stop. However, Mr. Gorman made no attempt to stop or aid the victim and instead drove home. Hillsboro police located him at his home just 15 minutes later. They found his truck in the driveway with substantial front-end damage. The defendant admitted to the police that he had been drinking. Officers obtained a warrant for his blood and determined the defendant had a BAC of .09% several hours after the crash.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the work of the Hillsboro Police Department and the Washington County Crash Analysis Team, which responded to the scene and conducted a thorough investigation.
 

Mr. Gorman will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. 

Edwin Enrique Juarez Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison In Child Sexual Abuse Case (Photo) - 09/11/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 4, 2026, a Washington County jury found Edwin Enrique Juarez, age 33, guilty of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree and sexual abuse in the first degree. On September 9, 2026, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Proctor sentenced the defendant to 25 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted this case.

The minor victim told family members that the defendant, a friend of the child’s mother, had sexually abused her in her home. She also confided in friends, who later confirmed the accounts of abuse to law enforcement. The victim moved out of state and made additional disclosures to medical experts at a child advocacy center. Following the abuse, the victim struggled with depression and other mental health challenges. Tragically, she died by suicide in December 2025. She was 14 years old.

At the completion of the trial, law enforcement learned there may be additional victims. If you have any information about this person, please call the Hillsboro Police Department.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and medical experts who assisted in this investigation. We further acknowledge the victim’s bravery in coming forward. The victim is survived by her mother, father, stepmother, and older sister, whose strength, cooperation, and unwavering commitment to justice made it possible to prosecute this case without her.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or violence, help is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or contact your local police department.