Vancouver youth volunteer accused of sex crimes

KGW
December 08, 2014

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/vancouver/2014/12/08/vancouver-youth-volunteer-accused-of-sex-crimes/20118501/

Christopher Gonzales

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Vancouver man was arrested on several sex abuse charges Sunday. Detectives fear he may have abused more victims through his volunteer work at two churches and a child abuse prevention center.

Police were called to a home in the Bonny Slope neighborhood Saturday to investigate reports of ongoing sexual abuse dating back to 2008, said Sgt. Bob Ray of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

A family member accused 44-year-old Christopher Joseph Gonzales of sexual contact with girls as young as 5 years old at a family member's house.

Investigators learned that Gonzales had been a youth volunteer at Vancouver's Crossroads Community Church from 2010-2014 and Freedom Community Church from early 2014 until recently, Ray said.

Gonzales also periodically volunteered at the Vancouver-based child abuse prevention organization Called to Rescue USA from 2012 through this year.

He was arrested Sunday and booked in to the Washington County Jail on nine counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

"Child abuse detectives have processed evidence and interviewed a number of people who had knowledge of the incidents," Ray said Monday. "Detectives fear there may be additional victims that Mr. Gonzales may have abused due to his volunteer work placing him in close proximity to children."

Detectives are seeking the public's help in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at (503) 846-2500.