Hillsboro Police arrested 23-year-old Cedric Valdez last Saturday at the Target in Sunset Esplanade on multiple sexual abuse charges. Police say he may be connected to other victims. Reports show the alleged incidents happened over several months in parking lots, stores, and near storefronts, as reported by KGW. Valdez faces 16 charges, including third-degree sexual abuse, offenses involving a minor, and practicing massage therapy without a license. He pleaded not guilty in court.
The Hillsboro Police Department is investigating Valdez after at least a dozen victims reported nonconsensual sexual contact at locations including Planet Fitness, Goodwill on Southeast Century Boulevard, Washington Square Mall, and public transit stations, with concerns that more incidents may have occurred. A store employee at Sunset Esplanade said, "My first encounter with him was kind of odd," and that "He would check his surroundings and see who’s looking and who’s not." The employee said Valdez, using the name "Eric," claimed to be 18 and told her, "He told me that if I ever wanted to hang out with him, meet him behind the Target or sometime at Shadywood Park," as per KPTV.
Victims and individuals with any information on Cedric Valdez or related incidents are urged to reach out to Hillsboro police by calling 503-629-0111 and referencing case #25-25537, according to the Hillsboro Police Department on their Facebook page. This outreach is part of the ongoing effort to ensure the safety of the community and provide justice for the victims.
