HILLSBORO, Ore.- On August 27, 2020, a Washington County jury found Claudio Valentin-Espinoza guilty of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lewman prosecuted the case against the defendant before Judge Oscar Garcia.
In November of 2012, the defendant sexually abused a young female victim who was known to him at the time. That abuse was not reported until 2015. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office then launched an investigation. Detectives found that the defendant abruptly quit his job and fled the state after the victim’s mother confronted him with the allegations. A warrant was then issued for his arrest.
In October of 2019, law enforcement in Sonoma County, California arrested the defendant. He was then extradited back to Oregon to face the above charges.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the bravery shown by the victim in reporting the abuse. This office also wishes to thank the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, including Detective Robert Rookhuyzen and the staff of CARES Northwest for their work on this case.
A sentencing hearing is set for September 16, 2020. The defendant will remain in custody until that time.