June 25, 2021
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DA Mike Schmidt announces 20-year prison sentence in child sexual abuse case
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Jose Luiz Monje-Reyez received a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero prosecuted this case. Julie Jacobs served as the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Victim Advocate.
This investigation started on June 15, 2019 when the survivor contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and disclosed many years of repeated sexual abuse that occurred when she was a child. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office forwarded the reports to the Portland Police Bureau after determining the abuse occurred in Portland, Oregon.
Portland Police Bureau Detective Rachel Baer, Detective Matt Estes (retired) and Detective Chris Yrizarry (now with Tigard Police) started looking into the allegations. Working with Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marerro, the investigative team learned that the statute of limitations was quickly approaching.
Working together, the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office provided the survivor services and support.
The case was indicted the day before the statute of limitations would have expired.
Had it not been for the survivor’s disclosure and the quick and detailed investigative work of law enforcement, this case may not have been prosecuted.
On June 22, 2021, the survivor attended Monje-Reyez’ sentencing hearing with the support of family, law enforcement and the district attorney’s office.
The survivor read an impact statement at sentencing that talked about the lifetime of trauma and post-traumatic stress associated with the repeated sexual abuse. She told the court that Monje-Reyez stole her childhood—leaving behind devastating memories. The survivor also spoke about how sexual abuse can lead to self-harm and shared powerful and personal experiences.
The survivor has given the district attorney’s office permission to share an excerpt from her impact statement:
“I bet [Jose Luiz Monje-Reyez] never imagined that a tortured, innocent and [ingenuous] little girl would one day grow up to be a strong, fearless, wise and determined woman. Despite the damage that he caused, I was able to take care of a newborn, work, volunteer and attend college full time to get my Bachelors of Science of Nursing degree from the University of Portland promptly out of high school. I got into nursing by accident, but now I know why – it was destiny. Nursing has taught me so much and in turn have been able to pass it on to others in need. Nursing has taught me strength, resilience, justice, greater determination, advocacy, perseverance, compassion, empathy, kindness, love, protection and most importantly hope! What [Jose Luiz Monje-Reyez] did cannot be undone, but with him in prison – more children and women will be saved from having to endure what I did. And that is a win on my end. … As a nurse, mother, sister and survivor…I will begin healing once more because I GOT THIS!”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks Portland Police Bureau Detective Rachel Baer, Detective Matt Estes (retired) and Detective Chris Yrizarry (now with Tigard Police) for their dedicated efforts investigating this case.
The impacts of sexual assault are long-lasting. Regardless of how long it’s been since a sexual assault, support, care and advocacy are still available. If a survivor has questions about seeking care or reporting abuse, please reach out to law enforcement, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Victim’s Assistance Program or the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Resources:
- Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office: Victim Assistance Program: 503-988-3222
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
- Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Intervention: 503-988-4888
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