Hillsboro man sentenced to 20 years in prison for decades of 'progressive' sexual abuse

HILLSBORO, Ore. (KPTV) – A notorious child abuser has pleaded guilty in court to four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, the Washington County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

On September 4, 69-year-old Richard Dale Warren pleaded guilty. On September 10, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 10 years probation.

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In March 2022, the Washington County Sheriff's Office received a report of sexual abuse by Warren.

The victim claimed that Warren sexually abused her on multiple occasions over a period of one year. Warren threatened to rape and kill her relatives if she told anyone about his actions.

Despite the threats, the victim told a family member, who then alerted the police.

During the investigation, police learned that Warren had also abused victims in other states since the 1980s. According to WCDA, Warren told a family member that he considered murdering a previous victim to keep her from reporting his abuse.

The previous victim, now a woman in her fifties, confirmed the previous abuse to police.

When investigators questioned Warren, he admitted to abusing several victims in the past. He told police he regularly harassed and taunted one victim by sending her sexually explicit photos and bragging to her that he would never be held accountable.

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He also told police he moved to Oregon to avoid arrest.

“The sexual abuse of these girls was not enough for him. He took pleasure in causing them fear and pain during the abuse and for years afterward,” said DDA Meisel.

At Warren's sentencing, the victim's mother read a statement written by the child, telling Warren that she would not let his actions define her. She would graduate from high school and college and live a happy life despite what he did to her.

Authorities believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information about additional crimes committed by the accused should contact police.

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