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Suspect Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse Charges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2021
St. Helens, Ore. - On Tuesday, January 5, 2021, Patrick Harper, 36, of St. Helens was sentenced to nine years in prison with an additional 10 years of post-prison supervision for charges related to sex crimes against a minor. Harper appeared in Columbia County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree and two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
Harper’s guilty plea stems from a 911 call that St. Helens police officers responded to on September 12, 2020, in the 59000 block of Oak Ridge Street in St. Helens. Officers arrived on scene and after interviewing the suspect, arrested Harper for three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and Harassment.
Following Harper’s arrest, St. Helens police investigators conducted numerous interviews, collected evidence related to the case, and ensured the safety of the victim as the investigation unfolded. The case was presented to a Columbia County Grand Jury which indicted Harper on charges of Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree and four counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
The St. Helens Police Department worked in partnership with the Department of Human Services, Oregon State Police, and CARES Northwest during the investigation.
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For further information regarding this case, please contact the St. Helens Police Department at 503-397-1521.
