How about focusing on what’s happening right here in our own community to make a positive difference?
I asked Laura Swanson of the Tillamook County Pioneer: Why aren’t the activists in North County speaking out and protesting what’s happening in the District Attorney’s Office and demanding her resignation? Where is the public outrage over what many see as the gross incompetence of DA Aubrey Olson and some of her deputy district attorneys which has been revealed in Will Chappell’s HH articles, the Tillamook County Pioneer and those of us who have taken the time to read the 208 page investigative report on the DA’s office? The DA’s targeting of the whistleblower in the sheriffs office, and Sheriff Brown is an abuse of power to destroy their careers-retaliation. .
So far, I’ve seen very little.
This is an issue that should bring people together because it affects everyone. On Monday, Laura of the Tillamook Pioneer put out a call to action asking people to stand with survivors, community advocates, and law enforcement officers who, according to those involved, have been treated with disrespect and targeted. Only one person showed up in support to the sentencing hearing which we appreciate. A packed courtroom would have sent a powerful message to our DA.
If you don’t know what’s going on, I encourage you to take the time to learn about it. An informed community is essential.
If residents believe changes are needed, it will take a village to make those voices heard. Otherwise, the only formal option may be to wait until six months into the DA’s new term in 2027 before pursuing a recall, as allowed under Oregon law. We are working on other avenues right now. I hope you take the time to read my experience yesterday during a hearing sentencing with our DA and why she needs to go.
Regardless of where you stand, this conversation deserves public attention. Our community should be informed, engaged, and willing to hold public officials accountable through respectful civic participation.
Good Afternoon Tillamook County Commissioners:
Yesterday, April Bailey and I attended the sentencing hearing in the case against Jeremy Richard Davidson. We left furious by what we witnessed from start to finish which was gross incompetence by DA Olson which we red bout in the 208 page investigative report into the DA’S office.
The hearing began with confusion when the remote judge asked for the case number and DA Olson did not have it readily available, instead asking the defense counsel for the information. From my perspective, that set the tone for a proceeding that appeared rushed and inadequately prepared. The judge began by starting the proceedings 20 minutes late by telling us he forgot he had to pick up his daughter from school and apologizing for also not being dressed in normal courtroom attire. He was retired and presiding remotely.
A supportive community member also attended after seeing my call to action in the Tillamook County Pioneer. She brought signs expressing support for survivors. A deputy respectfully explained that courtroom rules prohibited bringing the signs inside and that he was required to enforce those rules. He handled the situation professionally and respectfully.
Yesterday’s sentencing hearing left all three of us with more questions than answers about how victims of sexual assault are treated throughout the criminal justice process in our county and about the ORS laws on sex abuse and other offenses, especially after April Bailey and I read the investigative report cover to cover.
I did not initially recognize Jeremy Davidson the defendant who I know. His mother attended the hearing and sat next to me. Throughout much of the proceeding, she appeared to be smiling. That was difficult for April Bailey and I to witness given the circumstances.
From my perspective, the hearing felt rushed, and I was disappointed that there was little direct discussion by the court addressing the defendant beyond the standard procedures necessary to accept the negotiated plea agreement. I also didn’t feel the seriousness of this hearing with all the joking going on. It was disturbing.
The judge carried the process as it appeared both the DA and defense attorney were not prepared throughout this hearing.
The most difficult part of the hearing was hearing the DA explain to the judge why the original First-Degree Rape charge was dismissed. The DA stated that the victim’s testimony could not be relied upon and suggested that the physical evidence could have been planted by the victim-skin cells. Outrageous!!!!!. Hearing those statements was deeply upsetting. In my opinion, it reflected the continuing challenges many sexual assault victims face when their credibility is questioned. The 208 page investigative report cited one example after another.
The First-Degree Rape charge and the Coercion charge were ultimately dismissed as was the Assault lV charge where the victim, a 15 year old, needed medical treatment. Instead it was Second Degree Rape, and supplying a minor with alcohol.
A Tillamook County Grand Jury had originally indicted Jeremy Davidson on charges including First-Degree Rape, Third-Degree Rape, Coercion, Fourth-Degree Assault, and Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor. Under the negotiated plea agreement, Davidson received probation, sex offender registration requirements, alcohol monitoring and treatment, restrictions prohibiting contact with minor females, and a 90-day jail sentence with credit for time already served.
The DA went on to excuse his behavior because of his issues with alcohol. It was a first time offense that took 18 months to come to an end. No trial, but a plea deal instead.
During the hearing, it was also emphasized that Davidson had completed inpatient treatment for his addiction to alcohol. His probation conditions include abstaining from alcohol, registering as a sex offender, alcohol monitoring, and having no contact with minor females.
The victim’s mother of the then 15 year old listened remotely to the hearing. She submitted a written victim impact statement to the court. When asked whether she wished to add anything further, she respectfully declined. The court ordered approximately $4,800 in restitution, along with a required payment to the state’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund. In my opinion, no amount of restitution can adequately cover the long-term counseling and recovery most survivors require.
One fact that should never be overlooked is that a 15-year-old cannot legally consent to sexual activity under Oregon law. The involvement of alcohol only increases the seriousness of the allegations.
I have also spoken with someone whose husband has spent three decades in law enforcement and currently serves on a child exploitation task force. According to their understanding, Oregon’s current laws make successful prosecution in some cases extremely difficult, and they believe legislative changes are needed to better protect victims and the community.
In this case, DA Olson continued to sabotage the state’s case against the defendant by claiming the victim’s testimony was not trustworthy, and she likely planted the physical evidence-skin cells on her person. Remember she was 15 at the time and most likely intoxicated.
Following this hearing, I hope we can speak with the victim’s mother about her family’s experience navigating the criminal justice system, if she is willing. I would like to better understand what support they received throughout this process, how prosecutorial decisions were communicated, and whether she is aware that she may file an ethics complaint if she believes professional misconduct occurred.
I was also disappointed by the limited community attendance. Courtrooms matter. Community presence matters.
When citizens attend hearings involving crimes of sexual violence, they send a message that survivors are not alone and that accountability matters. I had hoped to see more advocates and community members present. Public oversight is an important part of maintaining confidence in our justice system.
Change begins when people are willing to witness what happens inside our courtrooms and speak up when they believe the system can do better.
Much of the proceeding involved the standard procedures associated with accepting and imposing a negotiated plea agreement.
While I respect that plea agreements are a recognized part of our criminal justice system, we left believing this outcome did not provide the level of accountability I had hoped to see. In my opinion, the process left the victim and the public with many unanswered questions. Survivors deserve to know their voices matter, and our community should continue examining whether our justice system is serving them as effectively as it can.
Our hearts go out to all the victims, community advocates and those in law enforcement who have been treated unfairly and with such disrespect, including the whistleblower whose identity is being protected. Yesterday, made us all sick to our stomach. April Bailey brought her teenage children who were also appalled. We are also going to do whatever we can to get her to resign, and I pray we can come together as a united front to make this more likely.
Robin Kostrikin
Pacific City
