Gresham Man Indicted for Sex Abuse Allegations in Deschutes County

By Claire Withycombe
Bend Bulletin
January 8, 2015

http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/2758743-151/gresham-man-indicted-for-sex-abuse-allegations-in

James Worley

A Gresham youth pastor is being held on $1 million bail after being indicted in Deschutes County on Wednesday in connection with allegations that he sexually abused his son and stepdaughter more than a decade ago.

James Worley, 42, allegedly abused the children consistently between 2002 and 2004 while he was director of recreation at a facility in Sunriver, where he had contact with minors, said Deputy District Attorney Brigid Turner.

In all, Worley faces 37 charges, including two counts of first-degree rape, 20 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, 11 counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of attempted sodomy and three counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct.

Worley was terminated for misconduct from his position as a police officer in Tillamook in 2007 and currently works as a youth pastor at a church in Gresham. Turner said the abuse was “repeated” and “continuous” and allegedly took place while Worley’s son was 2 to 4 years old and while his stepdaughter was 6 to 8 years old.

Worley told the court he had an attorney from Portland. The attorney, Rich Cohen, did not appear Wednesday, although Worley said Cohen was aware of the arraignment. Daniel Yeager of Crabtree & Rahmsdorff Defense Services was appointed to handle the procedure Wednesday.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Walter “Randy” Miller set bail at $1 million. If released, Worley must have no contact with minors, avoid places where minors congregate and wear a GPS monitor. He must also have no contact with the alleged victims or their mother.

Worley has been in county custody since Jan. 6, according to the Deschutes County jail.

A bench warrant was issued by the Deschutes County Circuit Court on Dec. 19 after Worley was indicted Dec. 17, according to the Oregon Judicial Information Network. Worley is scheduled to enter a plea Jan. 29.

— Reporter: 541-383-0376, cwithycombe@bendbulletin.com