Man Gets Over 37 Years In Prison For Sexually Abusing Young Girls

A 44-year-old man was sentenced to more than 37 years in prison after being found guilty of sex abuse charges involving children that occurred in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Washington County Judge Janelle Wipper handed down the 449-month sentence on Ryan Keanaaina Thursday, the Associated Press reported.

In June, Keanaaina was found guilty by a Washington County jury of first-degree rape, three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of luring a minor, three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, private indecency, first-degree attempted sexual abuse and third-degree attempted sexual abuse.

A teenage girl, who was not named, came forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Keanaaina in 2012 and shared the account with an unnamed friend, KPTV reported. But at the time, authorities who investigated the incident found insufficient evidence to support the criminal charges against Keanaaina.

County officials said an unidentified person close to Keanaaina also persuaded the friend not to verify the allegations made by the girl.

A second unnamed victim then reported to a family member that Keanaaina was sexually abusing her. However, the family member did not report the allegations to police, and the abuse continued, according to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.

The second victim told other family members about the abuse in October 2017, and an investigation was launched when police were notified.

During the investigation, Hillsboro police also spoke to the friend of the first victim. The friend revealed how she was convinced to mislead the police. It was later learned that she too was a victim of sexual abuse by Keanaaina.

The case of Keannaaina entailed mandatory minimum sentences under Oregon's Measure 11 law. Combined with the decision of the judge, the 44-year-old will serve the entirety of his sentence without the chance of getting an early release.

Keanaaina was also ordered by the judge to register as a sex offender. Once he is released, he will remain on post-prison supervision for the rest of his life.

Keanaaina is set to be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.