Man held on $6.5M bail for sex crimes against 5 girls

Article from KOIN6 News.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A 54-year-old man is being held on $6.5 million bail after being indicted by a grand jury for sex crimes against children dating back to March 2003.

Mark Alan Laverdure appeared in court September 20 where he was arraigned on the 27-count indictment that charges him with 21 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, two counts of using a child in the display of sexually explicit conduct, and one count each of first-degree sodomy, and third-degree sexual abuse.

According to court records, detectives with the Portland Police Bureau and Multnomah County Child Abuse Team have identified 5 female victims. The abuse is said to have occurred from March 2003 through June 2014.

Police have not said whether or not they believe there are additional victims; however, officials said the possibility of additional victims is a concern of investigators given the fact that 5 victims have already been identified and the allegations are said to have occurred over several years.

KOIN 6 News has learned that Laverdure had once been employed with the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA).

In a statement, NAYA Director of Finance Vega A. Tom wrote:

“We understand the desire to garner information about a past employee, but it is our policy to not disclose employee information without written consent from employee for confidentiality and security reasons. But as a matter of policy, practice and compliance, we conduct robust background checks and have grievance and recourse processes, which ensure we would not hire someone nor continue to employ a staff person with major criminal convictions or internal policy violations.”

Anyone with information on the case or Laverdure is asked to call the non-emergency line at 503.823.3333.

If you or someone you care about was sexually abused and you would like advice from an attorney about the rights and options for victims of child sexual abuse, please contact Crew Janci today for a free, confidential consultation at 1-888-407-0224 or by using our private online form.  We will treat you with discretion and respect.

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