Sex fiend 'used social media to target single mothers and their daughters'

21 August 2023 , 23:30

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Antonio Arredondo, 37, is believed to have used social media to prey on single mothers and their daughters (Image: Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

A 37-year-old registered sex offender is believed to have used social media apps in order to seek out single women with young daughters before carrying out sexual assaults.

Antonio Arredondo is believed to have used social media apps, such as Facebook, to seek out his victims before pursuing a relationship with the single mother. A statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Office in collaboration with the City of Dallas Police, Portland Police Bureau, and Tigard Police Department said: "Arredondo is eventually invited into the home of the victims and, over a short period of time, he sexually assaults the mother and or daughter."

Arredondo was indicted on three counts of rape in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree by a Washington County grand jury on August 2 in relation to a Tigard Police Department investigation. Less than two weeks later, on August 14, he was indicted on another charge of sex abuse in the first degree for a separate victim in a Washington County Sheriff's Office investigation.

Police have come together to try and track down other potential victims of Arredondo (Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

Arredondo is in custody in the Washington County Jail on the warrants that stemmed from both grand jury indictments. During the course of the investigation and indictment process, investigators and the Deputy District Attorney (DDA) assigned to the case learned there were at least two other cases with similar circumstances. As a result, the Portland Police Bureau is investigating one and the City of Dallas Police is investigating the other.

He is a registered sex offender, stemming from a case in Texas with similar circumstances as the ones in Oregon. Investigators believe he has been in the Pacific Northwest for several years.

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Texas sex offender records show Arredondo was convicted in a 2009 case for indecency with a child by contact. Sergeant Danny DiPietro from the Washington County Sheriff's office said: "This is some kind of predator in our opinion", reported local outlet KGW.

Antonio Arredondo in a 2015 mugshot from the Texas Sex Offender Registry (Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

In a motion seeking pre-trial detention, prosecutors wrote: "This defendant is dangerous and has demonstrated a willingness and an ability to integrate himself with mothers so that he can victimise their daughters.

"He is a sex offender who is violently re-offending and making statements suggestive of a willingness to physically harm the witness. The community is at risk, as are the people who have come forward."

With multiple cases throughout Oregon, investigators and the District Attorney's office have issued a plea for any more potential victims to come forward. They say they "strongly believe there are additional victims in the Pacific Northwest region".

They have released Arredondo's booking photo in a bid to "help potential victims identity him". The organisations have asked for anyone who either has been a victim, or knows a victim, to contact their local law enforcement or the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Arredondo has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has a pre-trial bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 22.

Fiona Leishman