Matthew Allan Stehr, 39, has been found guilty of multiple crimes against a child. Last Friday, a Washington County jury convicted him of first-degree rape, several counts of first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, and luring a minor. The charges stem from abuse that reportedly lasted about seven years.
The case erupted into the legal world when, in 2021, the young victim disclosed the abuses to a therapist, who is a mandated reporter. The ripple effects of that confession led the therapist to alert the victim's mother, who confronted Stehr; shockingly, he never denied the allegations made against him. The victim also shared more details with medical experts at CARES Northwest, building a body of evidence that would eventually aid in Stehr's prosecution. In the words obtained by the Washington County District Attorney's Office, Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel reflected on the verdict, saying, "The jury’s verdict is a testament to the child’s courage in coming forward and speaking up.”
According to the same statement, DDA Meisel hopes that "While nothing can undo the harm that was done, we hope this verdict provides a measure of justice and a path towards healing for the victim and their mother.” The Washington County District Attorney’s Office took this opportunity to publicly commend the bravery of the young victim for reporting the abuse and to acknowledge the efforts of organizations like the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and CARES Northwest in supporting the case.
Stehr’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2026. The case continues to draw attention due to the serious nature of the charges and their impact on the victims, as well as the broader community.
