HILLSBORO, Ore.- On June 22, 2020, a jury found Benito Juarez-Hernandez guilty of two counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, nine counts of first-degree sexual abuse, four counts of first-degree sodomy and one count of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted the case against the defendant before Judge Ted Sims.
The defendant is a convicted sex offender and was sent to prison in 2014 for sexually abusing a minor. During his prison stay, two additional victims came forward to disclose they were also abused by Mr. Juarez-Hernandez. Once these new allegations surfaced, a fourth victim also reported abuse perpetrated by the defendant.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated these allegations. Detective Mark Povolny also investigated crimes committed by the defendant’s brother. Cupertino Juarez-Hernandez was sentenced to 55 years in prison for his crimes earlier this year.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the courage of the victims in coming forward. This office also thanks Detective Povolny and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsboro Police Department, CARES Northwest and the Oregon Department of Human Services for their work on this case.
A sentencing hearing is set for June 29, 2020.