The former Damascus elementary school principal convicted of sexually abusing four students behind his closed office door is set to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Clackamas County Circuit Judge Katherine Weber sentenced Jeff Hays to 43 years and nine months in state prison Tuesday, matching the true life sentence recommended by a prosecutor.
Hays, the top administrator at Deep Creek Elementary School from 2005 to 2009, marked his 68th birthday on June 6, the day he was convicted of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and six counts of sex abuse at the end of a five-week trial.
“This is a significant sentence because this is a significant case,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Healy. “It sends a message to the community and to anyone else in a position of power and trust who might be a pedophile.”
Hays cannot lessen his sentence with good behavior or other programs while incarcerated and will be on probation for life if released from state prison at age 111, Weber ruled. While eligible for credit for time served, he wasn’t in custody before the trial.
Weber didn’t detail her reasoning for the sentence, but prosecutors noted Hays never admitted his guilt and denied sexually abusing anyone while on the stand.
Defense attorney Jason Thompson argued for a 25-year sentence, noting Hays has no prior convictions and that prosecutors had proffered much shorter punishments while trying to strike a plea deal.
“He is a man of integrity, he is a man with dignity,” Thompson said, calling the opportunity to represent Hays “an honor.” Thompson said earlier that Hays will appeal the conviction.
Appearing in court in blue-and-white jail scrubs, Hays didn’t speak before the sentencing. He smiled and nodded several times at family members, but stared straight ahead as one of the students and the parent of another addressed the packed courtroom.
“I went to school to be taught, but instead my innocence was taken away from me,” the student said. “You are paying the price of your own choices.”
The mother of another student said her daughter had lost most of her childhood and still struggled with her mental and emotional health.
Family members of the four students attended the hourlong sentencing hearing, while several of Hays’ supporters cried out as he was led away in shackles.
More than 50 witnesses and 80 pieces of evidence were examined during the trial, including testimony from all four students who said they were sexually abused at the school between 2005 and 2009.
Gresham-Barlow has paid out millions in civil jury verdicts and settlements to the four students, who filed separate lawsuits against the district beginning six years ago.
Hays wasn’t arrested until March of last year. The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office originally declined to prosecute the case, but later asked a grand jury to indict Hays after the third student agreed to testify and a fourth came forward.
Healy said the four families would seek restitution from Hays to pay for counseling services, with a hearing on the matter to be held sometime in the next three months.
