Portland man convicted of ‘horrific’ sex abuse of 2 preschool-aged girls

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland man was found guilty of 58 counts of sex abuse involving two child victims over several years, authorities said.

A jury found Rafael Gonzalez-Rodirguez Jr. guilty of the charges which include multiple instances of rape and sex abuse, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said.

The two girls were 5-6 years old when the sexual abuse began and lasted for years until they disclosed it to close friends and neighbors in September 2023. Gonzalez-Rodirguez was the former boyfriend of the victims’ mother, prosecutors said.

Once the children spoke out about being abused, there was an immediate response from the Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services, and a cross-report to law enforcement. Shortly thereafter, the victims detailed the history of abuse they endured while under the care of CARES NW.

Gonzalez-Rodirguez Jr. was convicted on six counts of first-degree rape, 21 counts of first-degree sex abuse, multiple counts of first-degree sodomy, second-degree sex abuse, third-degree sex abuse, and third-degree sodomy.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Rachna Hajari called the case a “horrific” instance of child abuse and a sobering reminder during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

“What happened to these victims at the hands of the defendant was unimaginable. Though the trauma of the sexual abuse will be a part of their lives forever, I hope these convictions and the jury believing the victims will bring them some comfort on their journey of healing and recovery,” Hajari said.

While Gonzalez-Rodirguez Jr. faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, the DA’s office said they are asking the court to impose a lengthier sentence in this case.