NEWS

Salem man arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing 3 girls

Whitney M. Woodworth
Statesman Journal
James Killion, 54, was arrested on five counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of first-degree sexual penetration on Friday.

After a two-hour standoff in Lincoln City, a Salem man was arrested on eight sex abuse charges for allegedly abusing three girls younger than 12.

Marion County deputies investigating reports of sex abuse alerted Lincoln County law enforcement that James Raymond Killion, 54, was armed, in a white van and possibly headed to the coast. Just after 2 p.m. Friday, Lincoln City police officers spotted Killion near the D River Wayside, where he was parked in the van and holding a semi-automatic handgun.

The officers cleared the wayside and began talking with Killion on the phone. Oregon State Police took over negotiations, according to Lincoln City police. While in the van, Killion pointed the gun to his head several times.

Two hours later, he put the gun down, left his vehicle and surrendered to police. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and transferred to the custody of the Marion County Sheriff's Office. He was arrested on five counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration.

Woodburn man arrested on eight rape, sexual assault charges

According to an information statement filed in Marion County, Killion allegedly abused three girls known to him between 2007 and 2013. At his arraignment on Monday, Marion County Judge Rafael Caso set his bail at $800,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 29.

First-degree sexual abuse and first-degree unlawful sexual penetration are both Measure 11 offenses. A First-degree sexual abuse conviction requires a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six years and three months. First-degree unlawful sexual penetration carries a minimum sentence of eight years and four months.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

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