Phuket Gazette World News: Oregon father and son accused of repeatedly raping young girls

– World news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: A father and son have been arrested over allegations they repeatedly raped at least two young girls at their home in the US state of Oregon, but investigators believe there may be more victims as the son also provided babysitting services, authorities said yesterday.

72-year-old Lynn Coy Payne and his son, 46-year-old Bryan Martin Payne, were arrested last Friday at their house in Metzger, a town just southwest of Portland, where they both live. They are accused of sexually abusing at least two girls who were under 10 years of age, and the abuse is believed to have taken place at the Payne residence over the last two to three years.

“It was not uncommon for Bryan to provide babysitting services for friends and neighbors. The Washington County Sex Crime Detectives strongly believe there are additional victims of unreported sex crimes committed by Bryan and Lynn Payne,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Investigators did not say whether the victims are related to the suspects or if they were being babysat by them.

Bryan has been charged with two counts of First Degree Sexual Penetration while his father is facing two counts of First Degree Sexual Penetration and Sodomy. Both were taken to the Washington County Jail after last week’s arrest and their bail was set at $500,000, but both remained in custody as of late Monday.

Bryan and Lynn Payne were arraigned on Monday afternoon at the Washington County Law Enforcement Center, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges. “There are more charges possible as the cases develop,” the sheriff’s office said in the statement, giving no other details but appealing for the public’s help.

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— Phuket Gazette Editors