Man Accused of Sex Crimes against Boy Babysitter

By Brent Weisberg
KOIN
October 2, 2014

http://koin.com/2014/10/02/man-accused-of-sex-crimes-against-boy-babysitter-2/

Joseph William Wehage, 39, shown in a jail booking photo by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

A 39-year-old man is accused of sexually abusing a young boy who was supposed to be the family’s babysitter, police said.

Joseph William Wehage pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to a secret grand jury indictment charging him with seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of attempted second-degree sodomy, and one count each of second-degree sodomy and attempted first-degree sodomy.

Detective Jason Christensen, who is assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit, opened the investigation in August 2014 after police learned about the case through a mandatory reporter.

Wehage sexually abused the boy from 2012-2013 at an apartment in the 5000 block of Southeast Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in SW Portland, police said. Wehage, the victim and the victim’s family all met through a local church. Police declined to release the church’s name because Wehage was not part of the clergy or its administration.

The victim, police said, was 13-14 years old when the abuse occurred. The boy is now 15 years old. Police do not believe Wehage’s wife of 10 years knew about the alleged abuse.

Wehage was transported back to Oregon on Wednesday under the escort of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested in Tennessee, which is where he now resides, police said. Court records indicate Wehage has been staying in hotels and campsites in Nashville since July 19, 2014, but had lived in Portland since 2007 prior to moving.

Court records show he also goes by the name of “Joseph William Brestler.” In 1998, he was convicted of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse and attempted second degree sodomy.

Because Wehage’s involvement with the church, detectives would like to hear from anyone else who suspects they have been abused.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 503.823.0894.

His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2014.