Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced today that a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Themba Hassan Kelley, 54, to 20 years in prison for the August 2019 rape of a woman in Gresham.
On August 13, 2019, Gresham Police Department detectives spoke with the victim, who reported that she met Kelley at Laurelhurst Park that same day, where he helped her fix her car. After he offered to let her take a shower and do her laundry where he was staying, she followed Kelley to his motel room in Gresham. Once in the room, Kelley became aggressive, assaulted the victim as she struggled to get away, and raped her. Eventually the victim was able to call friends (who then called 911), escape, and contact police as they were arriving at the motel. Responding officers located Kelley in the motel room and took him into custody.
Deputy District Attorneys Brian Davidson and Tony Dundon represented the state at trial, which took place in front of Judge Ryan from April 17 to May 1, 2023. The 12-person jury delivered a verdict on May 1, finding Kelley guilty of one count of Rape in the First Degree and two counts of Sodomy in the First Degree. The jury also found him not guilty of one count of Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree and one count of Sex Abuse in the First Degree.
Judge Ryan imposed the 20-year prison sentence today. Kelley is currently in custody in Multnomah County and will be transported to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
The DA’s Office thanks the Gresham Police Department for their assistance with this case.
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