Man jailed on 23 years of child sex abuse charges

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a man was arrested on child sex abuse charges, some of which date back to the 1990s.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says Michael Hern has pleaded not guilty to 26 counts related to the sexual abuse of at least six children.

The sheriff’s office began investigating Hern in July after someone reported him. Hern was investigated for sex crimes in 2005, but prosecutors decided not to charge him.

Van Kleef says when new allegations surfaced, the DA’s office reopened the previous investigation and detectives found new alleged victims.