Richard Earl Downard faces 12 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First and Second Degree

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today announced the arraignment of an Albany man on 12 counts of possessing child pornography.

Richard Earl Downard (DOB: 3/6/1967) was arraigned this morning in Linn County Circuit Court. He was indicted March 25 on 6 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and 6 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

A criminal indictment is merely an allegation. Every criminal defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

“The Department of Justice is committed to fighting child pornography,” said Attorney General Kroger.

Downard remains free on $50,000 bail. As a condition of his release, he is not allowed to have contact with minors or access the Internet.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Slauson is prosecuting the case.

The public is strongly encouraged to report information involving on-line sexual exploitation of children to their local law enforcement agency or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The Oregon Department of Justice ICAC unit investigates and prosecutes predators who use the internet to target and sexually exploit children. The unit works with district attorneys, law enforcement agencies and regional task forces that investigate online predators. ICAC is the only program in Oregon that is equipped with the necessary resources to catch sex predators throughout the state. Budget cuts last year threatened to end the program in Oregon, but Attorney General Kroger made restoring the funds a top public safety priority. Last year, Kroger announced that the Oregon Department of Justice received a $665,000 federal stimulus grant to keep the program operating.

From 2005 and 2009, 138 internet predators were convicted as a result of ICAC’s work.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Contact:

Tony Green, (503) 378-6002 tony.green@doj.state.or.us |