"Sexual assault in the first degree" -- isn't that legal-speak for flat-out rape?

Jesus.

The DA charges people with what he can prove. First degree sexual abuse charge is, indeed, pretty serious, but it's not necessarily rape (a separate charge). From the 1998 Criminal Code of Oregon:

163.427 Sexual abuse in the first degree. (1) A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the first degree when that person: (a) Subjects another person to sexual contact and: (A) The victim is less than 14 years of age; (B) The victim is subjected to forcible compulsion by the actor; or (C) The victim is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; or (b) Intentionally causes a person under 18 years of age to touch or contact the mouth, anus or sex organs of an animal for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of a person. (2) Sexual abuse in the first degree is a Class B felony.

I think the fact the patient would have been incapacitated might make the first degree abuse. But there could also have been an element of compulsion, too. Both, certainly, would make it a first degree charge. There were two counts, also.

By the way, the charge was sexual abuse in the first, not "sexual assualt" as per the cops' first press release. I've just corrected it with strikethroughs in the text but sorry for the confusion. You'd think the cops would figure out what they were charging the guy with before sending out the press release—still, we all make mistakes.

Thanks for the research.

Still, the charges sound pretty damn serious. Not to mention disturbing.

I don't know if you've ever been taken to hospital by ambulance, but it's a pretty frightening experience -- especially if you have to be immobilized. There's this feeling of utter helplessness that's difficult to describe, and you get through it by placing your trust in the paramedics, who are, after all, there to help you. The idea that that trust can be (and evidently has been) violated is an absolutely horrific concept.

I don't know if you've ever been taken to hospital by ambulance, but it's a pretty frightening experience -- especially if you have to be immobilized.

Is that a threat, Beaton? It has an air of menace about it, that's for sure.

Kidding. I agree. Poor woman. And if this guy did it, then he's beneath my sympathy.

It is a shame that the public is already saying he's quilty. Everybody is so quick to point fingers. Where is everybody when lives are saved. The media is so quick to write about the wrongs or problems with people, where are the articles about the good. Police, Fire and EMS professionals are true heros that make a difference is peoples lives daily. It takes a tragety like 911 to get the American Citizens to say thanks. We need to let the justice system work through this case. If he did what he is charged for, then he needs to pay. If he didn't do this, he still will be labeled with this case for ever. It's a lose/lose situation. Already calling him "Pervo-Paramedic is plain wrong.

I don't hear a guilty or innocent verdict yet...so until then, who are we to sit on the sidelines and play judge and jury with the media's distorted facts. As a woman and a wife of a Portland paramedic, I understand both sides, however I refuse to jump to conclusions. Not to blame the "victim" but has anyone thought that with all the drunks, drug addicts, and general low life that fire, paramedics, and cops deal with on a daily basis that this could not be just one of them looking for a lucky ticket in the form of a lawsuit against a national company? Maybe he was doing something medically necissary, and she came into consiousness during a generally uncomfortable procedure. I don't like getting a pap, but I wouldn't consider it abuse when a doctors fingers are up inside me. All I mean by this, is that if people are going to take a small amount of information and draw conclusions, lets look at all possiblities rather than attack the character of those that actually get off their ass on a daily basis and try to help people and make this a better city. The idea that everyone is now "uncomfortable" to call the paramedics is bullshit. Even if the acusations are true, they would only be true for this one paramedic, so are we really going to try and persecute all the others?

"Pervo paramedic?" Come on, show a little class! And do you know for a fact that Mr. Haszard is actually guilty of what he is accused of doing? Were you there? Do you have first-hand knowledge of exactly what, if anything, actually happened? If not, don't post ignorant comments about a situation you know nothing about - and phrase it as though you had verified facts. I have always hated that in any allegations, the media always protects the accuser, but never the accused - without trying to ascertain whether or not the allegations had any basis in fact. Ironically, if Beaton or Mr. Davis were to be charged with similar allegations, they would probably be the first to complain that the reading public was jumping to conclusions without hard evidence! You guys need to do some serious soul searching.