Prineville teen’s father speaks out on arrest in 2nd rape case

A Prineville father is speaking out after he claims an unfair prosecution of an accused rapist allowed him to rape of another victim.

The father, who NewsChannel 21 is not identifying in order to protect the victim, said Wednesday the Crook County District Attorney’s Office “dropped the ball” when prosecuting his daughter’s rape case.

Court records show now-23-year-old Logan Wesley Jansson was charged in the 2011 case with first-degree counts of rape, unlawful sexual penetration and sex abuse and two counts of second-degree sex abuse.

In a 2012 plea deal, every charge except one second-degree sex abuse count were dropped. Jansson was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation.

In February, Jansson was arrested on charges of having sex with a teen under the age of 16 and charged with third-degree rape.

“If the DA would have (done) her job, then this would have never happened, because he’d probably still be in prison right now,” the father said. He added that his daughter was devastated by the news of Jansson’s latest arrest.

“It brought up more feelings from back then and hurt for this new victim,” he said. “She wishes another female didn’t have to go through all the hardship and emotional pain that she went through.”

Had Jansson been convicted in 2012 of first-degree rape, he would have gone to prison for at least eight years, under Oregon law. He would be eligible for release in 2020.

NewsChannel 21 asked Crook County District Attorney Daina Vitolins why several felony charges were dropped in the case.

In an email, Vitolins wrote, “Until the pending case is resolved, it would not be appropriate for me to make any comments. I am happy to do so once the current case is complete.”

The father said he and his family will follow the latest case closely.

“When is the system going to wake up and do what they need to do?” he asked. “I’m just hoping this time the DA sends him to prison for what he did.”

Jansson is currently out of jail on bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 16.