Elder Manuel Gutierrez‑Zuniga is set to spend the next half century in prison after a Multnomah County jury convicted him on a long list of child sex crimes. The 33-year-old Portland man was found guilty of multiple counts that included first-degree rape and sodomy, and a judge imposed the 50-year sentence on Tuesday. Prosecutors say the abuse began when the victim was a young child and continued into her early teens.
According to KPTV, Gutierrez‑Zuniga was convicted of 12 counts of first-degree rape, seven counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of first-degree attempted rape, two counts of first-degree sex abuse, two counts of criminal mistreatment and one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office told KPTV the investigation launched in 2025 after the victim disclosed she had been abused "since around the age of six" and that the abuse continued into her early teens. Prosecutors said the victim also turned over text messages that showed the defendant’s sexual interest in her. Three of the rape counts and six of the sodomy counts met Oregon's Jessica’s Law sentencing standards, according to the DA's office.
How Prosecutors Say the Abuse Began
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office told KPTV that the case started when the victim confided in an adult that she had been sexually abused "since around the age of six" and that the abuse continued until her early teens. Her statements, combined with the text messages she provided, formed the backbone of the state’s case. Jurors ultimately convicted Gutierrez‑Zuniga on every count he faced.
Jessica's Law and the Sentence
Oregon’s Jessica’s Law, enacted in 2006 and codified at ORS 137.700, imposes a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence for certain first-degree sex offenses against children under 12, according to the Oregon Revised Statutes. The law blocks earned-time credits and early release during that mandatory term, which can significantly increase how long a person actually serves. Because several of the counts against Gutierrez‑Zuniga qualified under Jessica’s Law, prosecutors said those statutory minimums heavily shaped the final 50-year sentencing package.
Where the Case Stands Locally
The case moved through the Multnomah County docket and reached sentencing at the Central Courthouse in downtown Portland, according to county public records. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office online docket lists courthouse locations and filing details: Multnomah County online docket. Defense attorneys may still file post-conviction motions or an appeal, and any such challenges would appear in the public court record.
Resources
People affected by sexual abuse can find support and reporting information through the Oregon Department of Corrections victim services and other statewide resources. For contacts and guidance, visit the Oregon Department of Corrections Victim Services.
