Washington County District Attorney's Office To Be Awarded $20,000 In Grant Funding From The National Endowment For The Arts (Photo) -01/16/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office has been approved for a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects program. Working in partnership with Tualatin Valley Creates and the City of Hillsboro Cultural Arts Division, this funding will support the design and creation of a sculpture honoring crime victims to be prominently displayed on the Washington County Courthouse grounds and trauma-informed artwork for areas of the DA’s Office providing services for crime victims.
 

This office sought this funding to help improve the experiences of crime victims and witnesses who are often subjected to re-traumatization as they navigate the criminal justice process and relive past events. Grand jurors and jury members can also experience secondary trauma while they review evidence and testimony related to their assigned cases.
 

Carrie Sargavakian, Victim Assistance Senior Program Coordinator with the DA’s office, spearheaded this effort. Sargavakian and her team of victim advocates recognize artwork's healing and calming influence on those experiencing trauma.
 

“Through this public arts project, we hope to transform our public spaces through trauma-informed design to promote safety, tranquility, and healing, positively impacting how victims and the public experience the criminal justice system, Sargavakian said.
 

The DA’s office will also seek matching funds, bringing the total amount for this project to $50,000. District Attorney Kevin Barton believes this project will send a strong message of support to crime victims across the county.
 

“So much about the criminal court process is an ugly experience for victims—from the initial crime itself, to being retraumatized through multiple interviews, testimony, and cross-examinations,” said District Attorney Barton. “This unique effort is our attempt to make the experience a little bit better through beauty and art so that community members feel safe, supported, and welcome.”
 

“Receiving recognition and funding from an organization like the NEA is a major honor for the community,” said Karl LeClair, Public Art Supervisor for the City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department. “The DA’s office is deserving of this recognition in seeing the value in increasing victim wellness through trauma-informed design and works of art by local artists. This is artistic expression at its best in serving to connect and improve the wellness of our community members.”
 

This office will work with project partners to commission local artists to submit design proposals. Our goal is to have all artwork completed and installed by the end of 2026. 

TIMOTHY PAUL FITZGERALD CONVICTED OF 10 COUNTS IN STRANGER-ON-STRANGER SEXUAL ASSAULT AND KIDNAPPING CASE (Photo) -01/13/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On January 9, 2025, a Washington County jury found Timothy Paul Fitzgerald, age 54, guilty of assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree, attempted rape in the first degree, and unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree. Deputy District Attorney Alyssa Camp prosecuted this case.

 

On October 13, 2023, Mr. Fitzgerald approached the victim, who is homeless and physically disabled, while she was sleeping on a sidewalk in downtown Beaverton. Mr. Fitzgerald offered the victim money, which she declined. He then struck the victim and began kicking the victim in the face with his steel-toed boots. This caused a complex fracture of her nasal and orbital bones. Then, in a more secluded area nearby, Mr. Fitzgerald physically and sexually assaulted her for approximately 40 minutes. The victim testified that she could not escape because she was confined to a wheelchair and could not move fast enough to get away from him. A majority of the crime was captured on surveillance video from a nearby business.

 

The attack was interrupted by a street sweeper who drove into the parking lot where the assault was occurring. Mr. Fitzgerald fled the scene but was located by police at the Beaverton Transit Center approximately ten minutes later. Mr. Fitzgerald told responding officers that he did not remember anything that occurred after he offered the victim money. He allowed investigators to swab his body for DNA. Those samples showed the victim’s DNA present on the defendant’s body.

 

The defendant was also indicted on a charge of bias crime in the first degree. During the trial, the judge removed that count from jury consideration and issued a judgment of acquittal, finding that no reasonable jury could conclude that Mr. Fitzgerald targeted the victim because of her disability.

 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the bravery of the victim in participating in the legal process. This office also thanks the Beaverton Police Department and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory for their work on this case.

 

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2025. The defendant will remain in custody pending sentencing. 

Former High School Student Teacher Sentenced To 36 Months In Prison For Inappropriate Relationship With Student (Photo) -01/08/25

HILLSBORO, Ore- On January 7, 2025, Mason Isaiah Dominguez, age 25, pleaded guilty to attempted using child in display of sexually explicit conduct, and two counts of luring a minor. Washington County Circuit Court Judge Janelle Wipper then sentenced the defendant to three years in prison and ordered he register as a sex offender. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted this case.

 

The defendant worked as a student teacher at Sherwood High School. In April of 2023, a student notified a faculty member that the defendant was messaging her via social media, a violation of school policy. School administrators confronted the defendant and he admitted to sending the messages. He was immediately fired and escorted from school property.
 

The following day, a second student reported she was in an inappropriate relationship with Mr. Dominguez. She told staff that she and the defendant exchanged hundreds of messages over social media. She reported that Mr. Dominguez sent her sexually graphic videos and photos of himself and requested she do the same.
 

A school resource officer with the Sherwood Police Department investigated this case and spoke with the defendant about these allegations. Mr. Dominguez initially denied any wrongdoing but admitted to the criminal activity once the sexually explicit videos, photos, and text messages were recovered from his phone.
 

In a powerful victim impact statement read in open court, the victim reported experiencing lasting trauma, “because someone who was supposed to be my teacher, and a trusted adult in my life, crossed every line he could cross.” As a result of the defendant’s actions, she said her life was negatively impacted in multiple ways.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery of both students in reporting this abuse of power. This office also thanks the school resource officer, the Sherwood Police Department, and the Sherwood School District for their work and assistance on this case. 

Statement From The Law Enforcement Council Of Washington County -12/30/24

***The following is a statement on behalf of the Law Enforcement Council of Washington County***

HILLSBORO, Ore-  As the law enforcement leaders for Washington County, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire community.  This includes preventing crime, investigating crime, and holding those who commit crime responsible.  It also includes ensuring all community members—regardless of their race, sex, national origin, citizenship status, or any other factors—have full and equal access to our criminal justice system.

Under Oregon law, including Oregon’s longstanding sanctuary law, local law enforcement agencies enforce local laws while federal law enforcement entities enforce federal laws, including those related to immigration.  This framework provides clarity and balance regarding our respective roles.

We are proud that Washington County is one of the safest and most diverse communities in Oregon.  Our county is safer when all witnesses and victims can fully access our justice system to report crime and testify so that we can hold offenders accountable and keep our community safe.  Community members who feel they are being physically threatened should report those concerns to their local law enforcement agency.

Calvin Dae'juan Smith Guilty In Human Trafficking Case (Photo) -12/23/24

HILLSBORO, Ore- On December 20, 2024, a Washington County jury found Calvin Dae’juan Smith, age 32, guilty of two counts of promoting prostitution. Deputy District Attorney Christina Luedtke prosecuted this case before Judge Erik Buchér.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office joined partner agencies to conduct an undercover operation to target those facilitating human trafficking online. A detective posing as an interested party connected with a woman who agreed to meet him at a hotel in Beaverton. They exchanged several messages in which the detective agreed to pay her for sex. 

When the woman arrived at the hotel, officers detained her. She admitted she was there for sexual activity in exchange for money. A search of the woman’s phone revealed several messages between her and Mr. Smith. They identified a clear pattern of the defendant arranging and transporting the woman to meetings in exchange for cash. 

Unfortunately, human trafficking is occurring in Washington County. In 2018, our office helped launch the Washington County Human Trafficking Task Force to more effectively investigate and prosecute these cases. Our prosecutors work closely with law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and to support victims. 

January is also National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We encourage community members to monitor our website and social media channels for more information throughout January. Additionally, if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call 9-1-1, your local law enforcement agency, or report it to the Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Beaverton Police Department, and the Tigard Police Department for their work on this case. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2025.