A Gresham, Oregon, police officer was arraigned Friday morning on charges that include rape and sexual abuse of an underage girl.
Hector Carranza, 36, made his first appearance at the Multnomah County Justice Center. He did not say anything publicly, only speaking briefly with his court-appointed attorney. The defense attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
A grand jury charged Carranza with rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, luring a minor and encouraging child sexual abuse in the 56-count indictment.
Carranza is also charged with using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, a Measure 11 crime that carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Robin Skarstad said the district attorney’s office seeks to keep Carranza in custody pending a trial. Carranza is scheduled back in court on Monday for a preventative-detention hearing, where a judge decides if there is clear evidence that a person poses an ongoing risk to public safety.
Carranza is currently being held in Clackamas County Jail.
Skarstad also asked Multnomah Circuit Judge Adele Ridenour to execute a protective order to ensure that Carranza does not contact the girl in the case.
The indictment alleges Carranza engaged in sexual acts with the girl between 2014 and 2017. According to the indictment, the alleged abuse began when the girl was under 16.
State records show Carranza was hired by Gresham police in 2014. The department said it received a criminal complaint against him in November. Carranza was placed on paid administrative leave, and the department asked Oregon State Police to investigate.
The district attorney’s office has said the allegations are not related to on-duty contact and are not tied to anyone Carranza met through a criminal investigation. The office has declined to share more information.
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