Vancouver church, child-abuse prevention volunteer accused of sex crimes in Washington County, authorities say

By Rebecca Woolington
Oregonian
December 08, 2014

http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2014/12/vancouver_church_child-abuse_p.html

Christopher Gonzales

A Vancouver man who volunteered at two churches and with a child abuse prevention group has been accused of sexually abusing three girls in Washington County, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Christopher Joseph Gonzales, 44, was arrested Sunday on nine counts of first-degree sexual abuse, said Sgt. Bob Ray, a sheriff's office spokesman. He was lodged in the Washington County Jail with bail set at $750,000.

First-degree sexual abuse is a Measure 11 crime that carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six years and three months. Ray said Gonzales is suspected of abusing at least three girls, the youngest being 5 years old. The abuse, Ray said, began in 2008 and continued over several years.

The girls were known to Gonzales, Ray said, but not connected to his volunteer work.

Detectives are concerned that there could be more victims because Gonzales had access to children through his volunteering.

The investigation started on Saturday, after sheriff's deputies were called to a residence in the Bonny Slope area to investigate a report of sex abuse involving Gonzales, Ray said. Detectives also responded.

Deputies learned that Gonzales had visited family members at the Bonny Slope address many times, Ray said, and the abuse occurred at the residence.

Investigators, he said, also discovered that Gonzales volunteered with Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver from 2010 until this year. He was currently volunteering with Freedom Community Church, also in Vancouver, Ray said.

Gonzales also periodically volunteered at Called to Rescue USA, a child-abuse prevention organization in Vancouver, according to the sheriff's office. He started volunteering for the organization in 2012, Ray said. 

No one from Freedom Community Church or Called to Rescue could immediately be reached for comment. 

The sheriff's office said Called to Rescue raises awareness about sex trafficking involving children. Gonzales, Ray said, recently produced and was featured in a video used by the organization.

The video shows a scenario of a girl being pulled into an SUV as she walks down a street. Ray said Gonzales played the driver of the SUV. The sheriff's office made the public aware of the video Monday.

Gonzales left Crossroads Community Church in April, after spending four to five years volunteering for the church along with his wife, said Ron Barron, the church's executive director of operations. Barron said Gonzales left to help start another church.

At Crossroads, Gonzales worked with children and youth, but not primarily, Barron said. Gonzales had no complaints made about him, Barron said, and all church volunteers are required to undergo background checks. The church also does not allow volunteers to be alone with children, he said.

Barron said Crossroads learned of the arrest Monday morning and will cooperate fully with the criminal investigation.

"It's a shock," Barron said, "It's a shock."

"We are absolutely heartbroken by this news," said Daniel Fusco, who is the lead pastor at Crossroads. "Our prayers are with the families and any potential victims that may be involved."

The sheriff's office is asking anyone with more information to call detectives at 503-846-2500.