FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 4, 2025

ST. HELENS, OR - On Saturday, January 4, 2025, St. Helens police officers arrested St. Helens High School teacher Eric Stearns, 46, of St. Helens, on additional sexual abuse charges.

Stearns' arrest is the continuation a four-month investigation by the St. Helens Police Department regarding allegations of historical sexual abuse which occurred at St. Helens High School. Stearns was previously arrested on November 12, 2024, after an initial investigation led to Stearns being indicted for seven counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree.

Concerned about the possibility of additional victims, St. Helens detectives released information to the public asking that anyone with additional information contact the police. Eight additional victims were identified as part of the ongoing investigation.

Detectives forwarded the new information to the Columbia County District Attorney's Office for review. On Thursday, January 2, 2025, the investigation was presented to a Columbia County Grand Jury. Stearns was indicted for one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, six counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, and four counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree.

Stearns is lodged at the Columbia County Jail.

Investigators continue to seek information about Stearns, including current and past associations. Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims. If you have information, please contact St. Helens Detectives Edwards and Smith by calling 503-397-1521.

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For further information regarding this press release, please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at [email protected] .