Two men sentenced in sexual exploitation case in Washington County

On December 29, 2021, 23-year-old Devanne Joshua Branderhorst pleaded guilty to compelling prostitution and second-degree sexual abuse. On January 6, 2022, a Washington County Circuit Court sentenced the defendant to a total of 70 months in prison.

According to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, the case involved sexual assault and efforts to facilitate the prostitution of two victims, ages 17 and 18. Police first learned of the crimes in December of 2019, after they were called to a disturbance at a house in Washington County, Oregon.  Branderhorst was at the residence with both victims and was providing them alcohol and prescription medication. He sexually assaulted the 18-year-old victim while she was intoxicated. 

As part of the investigation, police learned that Branderhorst was causing the 17-year-old victim to engage in prostitution. These acts of prostitution went on for months and were arranged using a social media website that is often associated with illegal sexual activity. Police discovered text messages showing Branderhorst directing the victim’s acts of prostitution. He also had a sexual relationship with the victim. He attempted to cause the 18-year-old to engage in prostitution as well but was unsuccessful.

Detectives interviewed Branderhorst, who initially denied the allegations involving both victims but later admitted he did establish accounts online for the two victims.

A judge ordered Branderhorst to undergo post-prison supervision for three years following his release and required him to register as a sex offender. Branderhorst will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence. 

Related Case:

In addition to this case, sheriff’s deputies also arrested Robert Kiyoshi Sunamoto, age 75, after he used the same website to contact one of the victims for sex. Detectives determined he met the 17-year-old victim, took her back to his home, and paid her for sex. In July of 2021, Sunamoto pleaded guilty to commercial sexual exploitation and was sentenced to two years of probation.