Medford man arrested on rape, sex abuse charges
JCSO detectives believe there may be additional victims.
Mugshot: Evan James Sutherlin, 20, of Medford, was lodged in the Jackson County Jail Monday on charges including first-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
AT A GLANCE
Arrest: Evan James Sutherlin, 20
Charges:
Rape I
Sexual Abuse III
Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse III
Investigation: The case began June 2 after deputies received a report involving a 15-year-old girl in the Jacksonville area.
Information sought: Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact investigators.
After Arrest / Cover Photo: Evan James Sutherlin speaks with a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy from inside a vehicle following his arrest Monday. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
MEDFORD, Ore. — A 20-year-old Medford man was arrested Monday on rape and sexual abuse charges following an investigation involving a teenage girl, and detectives say they believe there may be additional victims.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives arrested Evan James Sutherlin Monday morning at a business in the 500 block of the Medford Center, according to the sheriff’s office.
Taken into custody: Detectives escort Evan James Sutherlin from a business in the Medford Center during his arrest Monday. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sutherlin was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of first-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, and first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse.
The investigation began June 2 when deputies responded to a report that a then 19-year-old man had sexually abused a 15-year-old girl in the Jacksonville area, according to JCSO.
The case was turned over to detectives with the sheriff’s office Special Victims Unit, whose investigation led to Monday’s arrest.
Detectives said the investigation remains ongoing and they believe Sutherlin may have additional victims.
Anyone with information involving Sutherlin is asked to contact JCSO Special Victims Unit Detective Jill Wenzel at 541-770-8928.
Editors Note: Oregon law generally restricts law enforcement from releasing booking photos of people who have not been convicted, and Jefferson Daily News generally avoids publishing them. In this case, JCSO released Sutherlin’s image because detectives believe there may be additional victims. The law allows release for a law enforcement purpose, including identifying additional criminal activity. The charges remain allegations, and Sutherlin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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