A 37-year-old Hillsboro man was arrested late Friday night after he contacted the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office to request assistance with his snow-bound rental car in the Clatsop State Forest near Knappa, Oregon. Sheriff’s Deputies located the man and when they arrived, Deputies discovered the man was in the company of a 13-year-old female who he initially introduced as his daughter. After further investigation, Deputies on scene determined the girl was not related to the man—she had left her home without the knowledge or consent of her parents. It was further determined that that man had sexually abused the girl near her home in King County, Washington before bringing her to Oregon. The girl was transported to a local hospital where she was examined and later transferred back into the care of her parents.
37-year-old Christopher Thomas Knox has been lodged in the Clatsop County Jail on February 16, 2019, on one count each of Attempted Rape II and Custodial Interference I. Investigators determined Knox was known to the girl and her mother whom he had met online. Investigators also discovered Knox was recently released from the Washington County Jail in Hillsboro, Oregon after being arrested by the Forest Grove Police Department for Carrying a Concealed Firearm and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. A single count of Violation of Release Agreement was added to Knox’s list of charges based on the terms of his release from the Washington County jail. Additional charges may be added as the multi-agency investigation continues.
Investigators believe Knox may have sexually abused the girl on the evening of February 15, 2019 while stopped in a state park or rest area somewhere between Tacoma, Washington and Astoria, Oregon. The suspected abuse would have occurred after 3:00 p.m. Knox is known to have been driving a black 2018 Dodge Journey with California license plates similar to the one seen in the attached image. It is also believed Knox and the girl may have been observed outside the vehicle while wrapped in a blanket for warmth. Investigators further believe it may have been foggy at the time and location where this occurred. Anyone who observed the vehicle or suspect is asked to contact Detective Ryan Humphrey at the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, 503-338-3633 or by email at rhumphrey@co.clatsop.or.us.
This joint investigation is being conducted by the Clatsop County (OR) Sheriff’s Office, Hillsboro (OR) Police Department, Pacific (WA) Police Department, and King County (WA) Coalition of Small Police Agencies Major Crimes Task Force.
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