PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 47-year-old convicted rapist was indicted on 10 felonies of first-degree sex abuse with at least 3 children in June and July in Washington County. Investigators said many of the crimes occurred at the VillaSport in Beaverton.
Damien Jay Karp was indicted August 30 on the felonies plus 2 misdemeanor charges for invasion of privacy, documents obtained by KOIN 6 News revealed.
Most of the incidents allegedly happened June 22, the document said. Karp is accused of taking a picture or video of the “intimate area” of a child under 14 and then touched the child(ren) in inappropriate spots and inappropriate ways.
Then on July 16, Karp allegedly touched 3 children in similar fashion.
The Beaverton Police department said it was contacted by employees of VillaSport on July 16. Staff told officers that Karp, a gym member, had just been caught interacting inappropriately with a child in the outdoor hot tub at the facility.
When officers began investigating, they learned Karp was a registered sex offender and was on probation for related crimes. While on probation, he was not allowed to have any contact with children.
With the help of employees at VillaSport, Beaverton detectives began an in-depth investigation into Karp’s behavior. They determined Karp had inappropriately touched several children at the Beaverton VillaSport in June and July of 2022.
Detectives said Karp would use a waterproof camera to film his crimes against the children while they were swimming.
Each of the young victims had “a reasonable expectation of privacy” at the time of the incidents, the indictment said.
While investigating, detectives learned Karp also had a membership at Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District. Investigators believe he may have visited the THPRD’s swimming pool at the main complex on Southwest Walker Road sometime in April 2021.
Beaverton Detective Chad Opitz said based on the nature of Karp’s crimes, he likely has more victims.
Anyone who may have had an inappropriate interaction with Karp, or who knows anything about his behavior, should contact Detective Opitz at (503) 526-2674 or copitz@beavertonoregon.gov.
Karp, who is listed as 6-feet-5 and 200 pounds, was convicted in 2005 for rape, sodomy, sexual penetration with a foreign object plus 3 counts of first-degree sex abuse.
He is currently being held at the Washington County Jail on the 10 felonies, 2 misdemeanors and a parole violation.