Viviana Lucinda Vallejo Enters Guilty Plea In Manslaughter Case (Photo) - 10/09/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- On October 2, 2026, Viviana Lucinda Vallejo pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree and was sentenced to 18 years in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Erwin. Chief Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard and Senior Deputy District Attorney Dustin Staten prosecuted this case.
 

On November 4, 2020, Hillsboro police were dispatched to the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve after someone there found a body. Investigators learned that the victim, Alexis Vega-Cruz, was shot and killed.
 

In January of 2023, police received a tip related to the homicide. The caller reported that a person known to her had admitted to shooting and killing the victim. Investigators learned that the shooter believed Mr. Vega-Cruz was involved in an assault months prior and that the shooter was seeking revenge for the attack. They learned the shooter convinced Ms. Vallejo to lure the victim to the scene of the deadly shooting before he was killed.
 

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

The co-defendant in this case is scheduled for trial in early 2027.

Washington County District Attorney's Office Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary Of Cribs For Kids Partnership (Photo) - 10/08/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and the Washington County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) are celebrating the five-year anniversary of a partnership with the national Cribs for Kids program. Since its inception in 2021, this program has helped provide free Cribette Kits and one-on-one education to more than 1,600 income-eligible families residing in Washington County.
 

Working in close partnership with the OHSU Doernbecher Injury Prevention Program, Washington County Maternal and Child Health, and other local hospitals, this program is designed to provide a free portable crib, infant sleep sack, and education for families in need. Public health or injury prevention professionals also provide safe sleep education in English or Spanish for eligible families.
 

The DA’s Office pursued this partnership to help prevent infant deaths in our community. In Oregon, about 40 babies die in their sleep every year, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
 

“Keeping kids safe and supporting families with this critical resource is a priority,” said Washington County DA Kevin Barton. “This program has saved lives and protected the most vulnerable members of our community.”
 

“An unsafe sleep environment is the leading cause of preventable injury and death in children under the age of one. That’s why we are so excited to partner with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office to provide families with these lifesaving resources,” said Adrienne Gallardo, Injury Prevention Program Manager at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
 

Hillsboro Medical Center & Doernbecher Injury Prevention Program also host monthly “Welcome Baby Safety Resource Showers” designed to educate families on infant safety and to distribute the Cribs for Kids safe sleep kits. This program is supported by grant funding provided by the Oregon Department of Justice’s Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI) grant.
 

For more information on this program or to apply for a Cribette Kit, please visit our website.
 

For more information about the safety resources provided through the Braner Family Safety Resource Center at Hillsboro Medical Center, please visit this website.

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.