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Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of the Washington County DA’s Office newsletter!
I hope you and your families are enjoying the nicer weather! As you can see in this newsletter, we have been busy in the DA’s Office the last several months.
In this edition, you can read about several important case results, including multiple murder convictions and Oregon’s first manslaughter conviction following a trial against a drug dealer who caused an overdose death.
Addressing Oregon’s fentanyl and addiction crisis is a top priority. For those who commit crime while struggling with addiction, we use innovative specialty courts like Veterans Treatment Court to hold them accountable while providing support and treatment. For those who deal and traffick drugs, we aggressively prosecute them to reduce the volume of deadly drugs in our community. And for our residents and businesses, we strive to protect your right to live in a safe and peaceful community. Throughout this newsletter, you can read about our efforts in all these areas.
We were out in the community quite a bit this past spring to raise awareness about vulnerable victims including children, domestic violence victims, and the elderly. Our office supported the “Race Against Child Abuse” fun run, we met and spoke with local community groups, and we partnered with local law enforcement to engage with high school girls regarding a host of safety topics. Washington County is our home and we are working hard to protect it.
Take care and have a wonderful summer!
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-District Attorney Kevin Barton | |
Jair Leyva Noriega Convicted of Manslaughter For Role As Drug Dealer in Deadly Overdose | |
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HILLSBORO, Ore- On May 15, 2024, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Erwin found Jair Leyva Noriega, age 21, guilty of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Unlawful Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance to a Minor in a bench trial. He was sentenced to 75 months in prison which will run consecutively to a prior sentence of 13 months in prison on domestic violence-related charges, for a combined prison sentence of 88 total months. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andrew Freeman prosecuted this case.
This verdict is a rare occurrence in Oregon. Unlike some states and federal law, Oregon does not have a crime that specifically addresses drug dealers who cause overdose deaths. Sometimes the crime of criminally negligent homicide or manslaughter can be charged. However, those cases are rare and require specific evidence. To date, the Washington County DA’s Office is aware of only two other manslaughter convictions in Oregon of a drug dealer who caused a fatal overdose (State v. Tariq Knapper, 21CR06963 in Washington County, and State v. Thomas Turner, 23CR05595 in Linn County).
The defendant was an active drug dealer on probation for a prior domestic violence incident. In June of 2023, he sold fentanyl pills twice to a 17-year-old boy. After the first deal, the defendant warned the teenager to “take it slow” with the pills because he had put “good money” into making this batch of illicit drugs. The second deal occurred a few nights later when the defendant secretly delivered the drugs directly to the victim at the family’s home in rural Washington County. The next morning the victim’s grandparents found him deceased in the kitchen with drug paraphernalia in arms reach. There were two more counterfeit fentanyl pills, known as “blues,” in the victim’s bedroom, and the medical examiner later determined the teenager died of acute fentanyl toxicity. The Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN) Team then responded to the scene and began an investigation that led to the defendant’s apprehension.
When rendering his verdict, Judge Andy Erwin compared the defendant’s behavior to handing a loaded gun to a 17-year-old to play Russian Roulette. Judge Erwin further said, “It is a scourge in our community that these drugs have become so deadly and taken so many lives, of which [the victim] is one.”
“Holding drug dealers accountable for the harm they cause in our community is a priority,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “While many of Oregon’s laws were enacted long before the current fentanyl crisis, we are finding ways to apply old laws to new challenges. Sending dangerous drug dealers to prison will save lives.”
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN) Team on this case. This office also extends our deepest sympathies to the family of the teenage victim.
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Tyrik Aliem Dawkins Sentenced To 25 Years in Prison in Rape Case | |
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HILLSBORO, Ore- On May 9, 2024, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Erwin sentenced Tyrik Aliem Dawkins to 25 years in prison under Measure 11 sentencing guidelines. On April 25, 2024, the defendant was convicted of Rape in the First Degree, two counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, and Coercion. Deputy District Attorney Christina Luedtke prosecuted this case.
The defendant and the victim connected through an online dating site and agreed to meet each other in September of 2021. The defendant quickly became aggressive and possessive of the victim. These actions escalated when Mr. Dawkins sexually assaulted the victim multiple times at her apartment in Hillsboro. He took her cell phone, her car keys, and repeatedly blocked her from leaving her apartment over a two-day period. He later forced her to drive him to a hotel where he was staying in Portland. He eventually let the victim leave the hotel but threatened to kill her if she reported his actions to the police.
Despite these threats, the victim reported the attacks to the Hillsboro Police Department and multiple acquaintances. Detectives interviewed the victim and those she confided in and secured digital evidence linking the defendant to the victim.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the bravery of the victim in reporting the defendant’s actions. This office also acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department on this case.
Mr. Dawkins will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
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Cesar Yovanni Alvarez-Alcazar Found Guilty in Murder Case | |
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HILLSBORO, Ore- On April 23, 2024, a Washington County jury found Cesar Yovanni Alvarez-Alcazar, age 20, guilty of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The defendant pled no contest to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm prior to the trial. Judge Theodore Sims then sentenced the defendant to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard and Deputy District Attorney Dustin Staten prosecuted this case.
On February 6, 2022, the defendant attended a house party in Cornelius, Oregon. He was heavily intoxicated and got into a verbal argument with multiple partygoers including the victim, Jose Angel Rodriguez-Sanchez, age 20 at the time. The defendant shot the victim several times and also fired a shot at another partygoer. The victim died from his injuries, and the defendant fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Investigators quickly identified the defendant as their suspect. He was arrested by officers from the Salem Police Department during a traffic stop seven months later. Police found a loaded handgun hidden under the defendant’s driver’s seat along with 400 rounds of ammunition and body armor.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the investigative work on this case by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the deputies serving the City of Cornelius. This office also thanks the Salem Police Department for their work in apprehending the defendant.
Mr. Alvarez-Alcazar will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.
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Honoring Important Awareness Dates | |
DA's Office Recognizes Elder Abuse Awareness Month | |
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June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. We teamed up with our law enforcement partners to create a series of social media posts to bolster awareness of this issue in our community.
We are a proud member of the Washington County Vulnerable Adult Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). This MDT includes all law enforcement agencies in Washington County along with key community partners. The MDT focuses on preventing elder abuse and neglect, investigating reported cases, and holding offenders accountable.
So what is elder abuse? It can take many forms but includes physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. It can also manifest as neglect and abandonment of older adults.
To learn more about elder abuse and the resources available in Washington County, visit our website.
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District Attorney Kevin Barton Joins KGW to Discuss Deadly Drug Overdose Case | |
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Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton spoke with KGW-TV about the importance of holding drug dealers accountable for their actions.
This comes after a rare manslaughter conviction of a drug dealer who sold fentanyl to a minor who later died of an overdose. These cases are challenging for many reasons, but mainly because Oregon law has not kept pace with our deadly drug epidemic.
Click here to watch the KGW segment.
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DA Barton Speaks With KGW About Success of Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program |  | |
HILLSBORO, Ore- In 2020, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office helped launch the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program which is designed to increase the efficiency of the fitness to proceed process. Since its inception, the program has reduced the pre-trial jail time for defendants with mental health disorders which has saved millions in taxpayer dollars. This office is pleased to report the program was successful again in 2023.
In 2023, there were 100 successful fitness determinations. The median time to make those determinations was just 17 days, down from 91 days under the state’s system. On average, this increased efficiency helped save 74 days of jail time served per defendant, leading to a total approximate savings of more than $1,932,214.00 to the taxpayer.
“I’m proud to see that once again our Washington County Rapid Fitness to Proceed program has produced amazing results,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “This collaborative program ensures people receive mental health evaluations sooner while saving money and resources for our community. This program should be a model for the entire state.”
Under Oregon law, when the court has reason to doubt a defendant’s fitness to proceed by reason of incapacity due to a qualifying mental disorder, the court may order an examination to determine whether the defendant is unable to understand the nature of the proceedings, assist and cooperate with their attorney, or participate in the defense.
Commonly referred to as an “Aid and Assist,” “Fitness to Proceed” or a competency evaluation, this process can take months to complete, which creates costly delays and inefficiencies. Under the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program, the timeline has been reduced from months to weeks. This increased efficiency benefits all participants as defendants arrested for lower-level crimes will spend less time in jail pre-trial, thereby freeing up limited jail space for more dangerous offenders. It also increases the efficiency of the courts and provides cost savings for the entire public safety system in Washington County.
The Rapid Fitness to Proceed program accomplishes this increased efficiency by establishing partnerships with two private practices that specialize in forensic competency to stand trial evaluations, NW Forensic Institute and Lithia Forensics and Consulting. These certified forensic evaluators are trusted by the defense and the state. In fact, in some situations, these private evaluators also work on contract for the Oregon State Hospital to provide competency evaluations. Using this public-private partnership, expedited evaluations are typically produced within 12 days from the date the referral is accepted.
“The massive success of the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program in Washington County has helped to move defendants through the court system more quickly, reducing jail time and helping to get them into much-needed treatment promptly,” said Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill. “This is beneficial in multiple ways – it helps defendants to get treatment that they need rather than sit in jail, it frees up jail space for those who should really be in custody, it also frees up defense attorneys more quickly to represent other defendants who are in need of counsel, and it helps both defendants and victims to achieve resolution of their cases in a more timely fashion. As a result, the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program is a huge benefit to our court and our community.”
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is also a key partner in this effort.
“The Rapid Fitness to Proceed program has proven beneficial to the Adults in Custody of the Washington County Jail,” Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey said. “By expediting the process for these individuals to access therapeutic treatment settings, we have prevented unnecessary languishing in jail. This collaborative effort has produced healthier, Justice Involved Individuals who are ready for a successful transition into our community.”
This program would also not be possible without the support of Washington County Behavioral Health.
“Because of this program’s effectiveness, many adults with the greatest behavioral needs are now able to get much-needed treatment at the State hospital more quickly,” said Robert Colpean, Aid and Assist program coordinator with Washington County Behavioral Health. “We attribute much of this program’s success to collaborative efforts among key partners who work to find solutions on both individual cases as well as on a systemwide level.”
Click here to watch the KGW segment.
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DA's Office Develops New Tool to Protect Domestic Violence Victims | |
DA's Office Honors Child Abuse Awareness Month | |
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We'd like to thank the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Cares Northwest for joining District Attorney Kevin Barton in planting a Pinwheels for Prevention garden in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
These vibrant pinwheels connote playfulness, joy, and childhood. They serve as a physical reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children as we work to end abuse and neglect.
Watch the video above for more!
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DA's Office Launches Anti-Shoplifting Campaign | |
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WARNING: Shoplifting is prosecuted in Washington County!
District Attorney Kevin Barton has launched a new campaign to protect area businesses from theft. He created these shoplifting warning signs and recently attended a Sherwood Area Chamber of Commerce meeting to distribute them to business owners.
Our thanks to local businesses, including NW Accent, for displaying the signs in their shops!
Click here to learn more about this program and to request a sign free of charge.
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DA's Office Celebrates Veterans Treatment Court Graduation | |
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Please join us in celebrating Salvador Trujillo-Lopez, our most recent graduate of the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program!
Mr. Trujillo-Lopez served our country in the United States Army from 2003 to 2007. He was arrested by sheriff’s deputies in 2021 after trauma from his military service led to substance abuse issues. However, due to that service, he was granted the opportunity to enter the program. He decided it was time for a change and committed himself wholeheartedly to the program. He celebrated more than one year of sobriety at his graduation and has enjoyed renewed relationships with friends, family, and loved ones.
This specialty court wouldn’t be possible without the support of Washington County, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Community Corrections, Judge Eric Butterfield, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the Oregon Defense Attorney Consortium.
We thank all of our partners for their important work on this program. Click here to learn more about the VTC.
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New Deputy District Attorney Sworn Into Office | |
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District Attorney Kevin Barton was pleased to conduct the swearing-in ceremony for Deputy District Attorney Heather Perkins.
DDA Perkins worked as a law clerk in our office before she passed the Oregon State Bar Exam. She will now be working in our misdemeanor unit.
Congratulations, Heather!
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DA's Office Runs to Help End Child Abuse | |
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Running for a cause!
We had a great time at the Race Against Child Abuse hosted by the Amani Center, Columbia County's child abuse and assessment facility.
This yearly fundraiser brings law enforcement and community groups from across the state together to help support this vital community resource. Our office showed up in force with 47 people competing either in person or virtually. That turnout helped us win first place for the largest team for the sixth straight year!
Visit their website to learn more about the Amani Center and the services they provide.
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DA's Office Joins the African Youth & Community Organization For Community Event | |
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We'd like to thank the African Youth & Community Organization for inviting Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown and Victim Advocate Sangeeta Khanna to speak with attendees of their Know Your Rights.
We discussed how our office prosecutes bias crime to protect vulnerable members of our community. Bias crime laws have been updated in Oregon recently. We explained those changes and how victims of these crimes can seek support.
If you suspect you may be a victim of a bias crime, please report it. You can report these crimes and learn more about the protections offered here.
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DA's Office Joins Hillsboro Police's GirlTalk Event | |
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Our thanks to the Hillsboro Police Department for inviting Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown to their first annual GirlTalk event.
GirlTalk is specially crafted for high school girls. A range of presenters discussed several topics including internet safety, how to foster healthy relationships, how to spot the signs of domestic violence, and the dangers of human trafficking.
Allison discussed our role in the greater public safety system and how we work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. We are already looking forward to coming back again next year!
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