Photo: Brad Newgard
On July 16, 2022, the Beaverton Police Department was contacted by employees of VillaSport located at 13900 SW Meridian St. in Beaverton. VillaSport staff told responding officers a gym member, identified as 47-year-old Damien Karp of Beaverton, had just been caught engaging in an inappropriate interaction with a child in the outdoor hot tub.
Beaverton Police Department officers began their investigation into the report. During the initial investigation, officers learned Karp was a registered sex offender and was on probation for related crimes. Part of the stipulations of his probation was he was not allowed to have any contact with minor children. As a result, Karp was arrested for violating the terms of his probation and lodged in the Washington County Jail.
With the assistance of VillaSport staff and management, Beaverton detectives began an in-depth investigation into Karp’s behavior. Over the next few weeks, detectives determined Karp had inappropriately touched multiple under aged victims at the Beaverton VillaSport in June and July of 2022. Detectives determined Karp would use a waterproof camera to film his crimes against minors while they were swimming.
The investigation led to Karp being indicted by a Washington County Grand Jury on August 30, 2022, for 10 counts of Sex Abuse in the First Degree, and two counts of Invasion of Personal Privacy in the Second Degree. Karp, who has been in custody since July 16th on the initial probation violation arrest, is still in custody at the Washington County Jail at the time of this release.
Detectives learned at the time of Karp’s arrest that he was also a member at Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD). Detectives believe he may have attended the swimming pool at THPRD’s main complex at 15707 SW Walker Rd. sometime during April of 2021.
Based on the nature of Karp’s crimes, he likely has more victims, according to Beaverton Detective Chad Opitz. If you or someone you know has, or may have had, an inappropriate interaction with Damien Karp, know something about his behavior, or involvement in these crimes, please contact Detective Chad Opitz at 503.526.2674 and/or copitz@beavertonoregon.gov.
The Beaverton Police Department worked closely with VillaSport and THPRD management and staff during the investigation and dissemination of this case. The Beaverton Police Department values community partners like VillaSport and THPRD who are so willing to assist law enforcement with investigating crimes against children.
Source: Beaverton Police