A Salem man, 48-year-old Troy Louis Meza, has been sentenced to 75 months in prison for attempted first-degree sodomy and failing to register as a sex offender in a 2023 Dallas case. The victim was 13 years old at the time. Meza will serve 24 months of post-prison supervision after his release.
Sentence and charges
According to the Polk County Itemizer-Observer, Meza pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sodomy in the first degree and one count of failing to register as a sex offender. Polk County Deputy District Attorney Shannon Clausen prosecuted the case, and Meza entered his guilty pleas before Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso. The Itemizer-Observer reported that the failure-to-register charge came from Meza not keeping his address up to date with Oregon’s sex-offender registry.
Investigation and prior record
Right Now Oregon reported that the attempted-sodomy charge stems from a 2023 incident in which the victim was 13. The investigation involved the Dallas Police Department and the Oregon State Police. Court records cited by the outlet show that Meza is required to register as a sex offender because of a prior conviction for sex abuse in the second degree.
Legal implications
Under Oregon law, people who are required to register as sex offenders must report changes of residence and keep their registration information current. Failing to do so can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the underlying offense, under the state’s sex-offender reporting statutes. Details on those requirements are outlined in ORS 163A. Local coverage of the hearing noted that Meza was ordered to complete 24 months of post-prison supervision after finishing his 75-month sentence.
