Two men arrested in Washington County investigation of sex trafficking
A Sandy man was indicted, and a Portland man was arrested, as a result of a sex trafficking investigation by Washington County sheriff's detectives.
Devanne Branderhorst, 21, was indicted by a grand jury Monday, March 9, on 11 counts. Four were for compelling prostitution, two for first-degree sexual abuse, and one for unlawful sexual penetration. All of those crimes are subject to mandatory minimum prison terms under Oregon law. He also was indicted on three counts of promoting prostitution and one count of second-degree sexual abuse, all felonies.
He remained in Washington County Jail. Bail was set at $750,000.
Robert Sunamoto, 74, was arrested March 4 on charges of seeking solicitation and furnishing liquor to someone under 21. He was released on his own recognizance; a court date will be set.
According to detectives in the sheriff's violent crimes unit, who had been investigating a trafficking case involving multiple victims, Branderhorst met a 17-year-old girl online and knew she was underage. He then coordinated having the victim meet adult men who paid for sexual acts or sexually explicit content.
They also said Branderhorst tried to traffic an 18-year-old woman who knew the 17-year-old girl, and sexually assaulted the 18-year-old in December 2019.
Sunamoto was identified as one of the men who met the underage girl via the website Seeking Arrangement.
Detectives say they believe there are additional victims. They invite anyone with further information about Branderhorst or Sunamoto to call the Sheriff's Office at (503) 846-2700.
The Sheriff's Office thanked assistance provided by Safety Compass, an organization that helps survivors of commercial sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
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