Prineville, Ore. – A Crook County man has been sentenced to the statutory maximum prison term after a jury convicted him of sexually abusing a child.
Clinton James Dunne, 56, was sentenced Thursday to 150 months (12.5 years) in the Oregon Department of Corrections after being found guilty on two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. The sentence was imposed by Daina Vitolins following a jury verdict earlier this month.
The sentence includes no eligibility for early release, requires Dunne to serve 10 years of post-prison supervision upon release, and mandates registration as a sex offender under Oregon law.
A Crook County jury returned guilty verdicts on Jan. 7th, concluding that Dunne sexually abused a child victim when the victim was between 11 and 12 years old.
During sentencing, the court cited the particularly egregious nature of the conduct, Dunne’s lack of remorse, and the predatory circumstances of the offense in imposing the maximum sentence allowed by statute.
Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn acknowledged the courage of the victim in coming forward.
“Victims of child sexual abuse show extraordinary courage when they come forward,” Hathorn said. “I want to recognize the strength it takes for victims to participate in the criminal justice process.”
Hathorn also credited the investigation by the Prineville Police Department and thanked Kids Center for providing a trauma-informed setting for the child’s forensic interview.
“The Kids Center provides a safe, child-friendly environment where victims can feel supported and heard during an incredibly difficult process,” Hathorn said.
According to Hathorn, additional support for the victim was provided by the Oregon Crime Victim’s Law Center and the Crook County Victim Assistance Program.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject matter expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
